How Do Penalty Points Affect Insurance?
Table of Contents
Penalty points can significantly increase the cost of your car insurance. Even a few points on your licence signal to insurers that you’re a higher risk, which often results in higher premiums, sometimes by as much as 25% to 75%, depending on the offence and your driving history.
Insurers take driving convictions seriously, especially those involving speeding, careless driving, or mobile phone use.
Key points
How Much More Could You Pay?
Here’s a rough guide to how penalty points may impact your premium:
- 3 points (SP30) – 10% to 25% possible premium increase
- 6 points – 25% to 50% possible premium increase
- 9+ points – 50% to 100% or more
Speeding points (SP30) are the most common, and while 3 points might not double your premium, they can still make your quote noticeably more expensive, especially for young or new drivers.
Do I Need to Tell Insurers About Penalty Points?
Yes. You must declare any unspent points (typically those from the last 4 years) when:
- Getting a new quote
- Renewing your policy
- Changing providers
If you don’t declare them, your insurer could cancel your policy or refuse a future claim.
How Long Do Penalty Points Affect Insurance?
Insurers usually ask about any endorsements within the last 5 years, even though penalty points are only valid for 4 years in terms of legal driving offences.
To stay on the safe side, assume they could affect your premium for up to 5 years.
Can I Get Cheaper Insurance with Points?
Yes, but it may take a bit more effort:
- Use specialist insurers who deal with drivers who have points
- Look at black box (telematics) policies to prove safe driving
- Consider increasing your voluntary excess
- Avoid further offences to keep your driving record clean
Will 3 points affect my insurance?
Yes, even 3 points can raise your premium slightly, especially if you’re a young or new driver.
Do points affect my no claims bonus?
Not directly, but a claim made as a result of an offence (e.g. causing an accident) might affect your no claims discount.
Can I remove points early?
No, penalty points stay on your licence for a set time (usually 4 years) and can’t be removed early.
Are insurers allowed to check my driving record?
Yes. Many now use the MyLicence database to automatically verify your driving history when quoting.
In Summary
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Penalty points usually lead to higher insurance premiums
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Even minor offences like speeding can add 10–25% to your cost
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Points stay on your record for 4 years, but insurers may ask for up to 5
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Always declare your points honestly to avoid invalidating your policy
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Specialist insurers and black box policies can help lower your premium
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