Why Compare AC30 Car Insurance?
Mainstream Insurers Decline AC30 Risks
Any accident-related conviction raises a question mark for a motor insurer, and the catch-all nature of AC30 means the underlying offence needs explaining. Standard comparison sites typically decline. Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers with panels of insurers prepared to quote on AC30 cases.
The Underlying Offence Needs Context
AC30 is the most varied of the accident offence codes. Your specialist broker needs the detail to place the case with the right underwriter, and Clean Green Cars connects you with brokers who know what to ask.
Your Cover Options Are Still Open
Comprehensive, third party fire and theft, and third party options remain available after an AC30 through specialist brokers. Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers who can talk through all three cover levels.
Car Insurance With an AC30 Conviction At A Glance
- AC30 is the DVLA endorsement code for undefined accident offences, used as a catch-all within the Section 170 Road Traffic Act 1988 framework.
- Typically summary-only and carries 4 to 9 penalty points, with a possible discretionary driving ban and a fine set by the court.
- The endorsement stays on your driving record for 4 years from the date of the offence, and insurers typically ask about convictions in the last 5 years.
- Specialist brokers who handle convicted driver insurance can quote on AC30 cases that mainstream comparison sites decline.
- Fill in the form above to compare quotes from specialist brokers who understand AC30.
What Is an AC30 Conviction?
AC30 is the DVLA catch-all endorsement code for accident-related offences that do not fit neatly within AC10 or AC20 - the "undefined accident offences" label. Here's how the law defines it:
- What it captures - Accident-related offences that do not fit the more specific AC10 (failing to stop) or AC20 (failing to report) codes. The DVLA uses it as the catch-all within the Section 170 Road Traffic Act 1988 framework.
- Why the underlying offence matters - AC30 labels the endorsement, not a single named offence. The actual conviction will be for a specific statutory offence recorded in the court documents, and that detail shapes how insurers price the case.
- Why it sits slightly lower than AC10 and AC20 - The 4-to-9 point range is below AC10 and AC20's 5-to-10, reflecting the generally less serious nature of the offences captured by the code.
| Penalty | Details |
|---|---|
| Penalty Points | 4 to 9 (set by court) |
| Driving Ban | Discretionary |
| Maximum Fine | Typically unlimited (in force from March 2015) |
| Maximum Prison | 6 months (summary only) |
| Offence Type | Typically summary only (magistrates' court) |
| Time on Licence | 4 years from date of offence |
| Spent After | Depends on sentence. Fine: 1 year. Community order: last day of order. Custody up to 1 year: 1 year after end of sentence. |
AC30Can You Get Insurance With an AC30 Conviction?
Yes, but the catch-all nature of AC30 means the specialist broker will want the full story about the underlying offence. Here's what to know before you compare:
- Points and ban - Between 4 and 9 penalty points plus a possible discretionary driving ban. The exact number sits within the range set by the magistrates based on the specific underlying offence.
- Time on your record - 4 years on the DVLA endorsement, and most insurers ask about convictions in the last 5 years.
- When it's spent - A fine is spent 1 year after conviction under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Most AC30 cases are sentenced with a fine, so the 1-year rule typically applies.
- Disclosure is critical - AC30 must be declared along with the specific underlying offence. Both matter to the insurer's pricing and to the honesty of the declaration.
- Circumstances shape the price - The specific underlying offence, the exact number of points imposed, whether injury was involved, and the clean period since the conviction all influence which insurers will quote and at what level.
Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers experienced with Section 170 Road Traffic Act 1988 cases. If you need short-term cover while comparing, temporary car insurance with convictions may bridge the gap.
Who Needs AC30 Car Insurance?
Anyone insuring a vehicle with an AC30 conviction on their record will usually need specialist cover - many mainstream insurers decline accident offence codes. Here are the situations where comparing specialist AC30 quotes usually helps most.
AC30 From a Technical Failure
Your conviction arose from a technical lapse at the scene - a failure to produce documents, for example - rather than a more serious Section 170 breach. Specialist brokers flag this distinction to underwriters who will price it accordingly.
AC30 With 4 or 5 Points
You received the lower end of the 4-to-9 point range. Specialist brokers argue that a low-points AC30 is a different risk profile to one at the top of the range, and match you to insurers who look at the actual endorsement.
AC30 With an Unclear Underlying Offence
Your paperwork is not clear on exactly what the underlying offence was. Specialist brokers ask the right questions to clarify the position before passing the case to underwriters, which prevents a worst-case assumption.
AC30 Plus Further Convictions
Your record has an AC30 alongside other motoring codes. Specialist brokers with wide panels can still place the combined record where mainstream insurers decline.
Current Insurer Non-Renewal
Your existing insurer has declined to renew after the AC30 came through. A specialist broker has access to insurers who handle the full range of accident offence codes.
Worth Knowing: An AC30 on your driving record does not close every door. Specialist brokers place cover for drivers in every one of these situations every day. Start with an honest conversation about the specific underlying offence.
What AC30 Car Insurance Covers
An AC30 on your licence does not change the types of cover a specialist broker can arrange. It changes which insurers will quote you and how much the policy will cost. All three standard cover levels remain available through specialist convicted driver brokers.
Cover features depend on insurer terms, driver eligibility, and how the vehicle is used.
| Feature | Comprehensive | Third Party, Fire & Theft | Third Party Only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third-party liability | Designed to cover | Designed to cover | Designed to cover |
| Fire and theft protection | Designed to cover | Designed to cover | Not included |
| Accidental damage to your vehicle | Designed to cover | Not included | Not included |
| Personal injury cover | Often included | Sometimes included | Not included |
| Windscreen cover | Often included | Rarely included | Not included |
| Courtesy car | Sometimes included | Rarely included | Not included |
| Legal expenses | Often included | Sometimes included | Rarely included |
| Uninsured driver cover | Sometimes included | Rarely included | Not included |
Cover Tip: Comprehensive cover is often the sensible choice after an AC30, particularly if the underlying offence involved damage to another vehicle or property. A specialist broker can help you weigh the cost of comprehensive against the risk of carrying your own damage under third party only.
What AC30 Car Insurance May Not Cover
Accuracy on your application is critical after an AC30. Because the code covers a range of underlying offences, make sure the insurer has the full picture. Any undisclosed information can invalidate the policy and lead to a claim being declined.
Standard Exclusions
- Undeclared Convictions - If you do not declare your AC30 or any other motoring conviction, your policy may be invalidated and any claim declined. Honesty on the application is critical.
- Driving Against Policy Terms - If you drive in breach of your policy terms, cover can be invalidated and claims declined. This applies regardless of the AC30 conviction itself.
- Racing or Track Use - Standard motor policies are designed for normal road use. Track days, competitive events, and any use outside everyday road driving generally fall outside cover.
- General Wear and Tear - Gradual damage like worn tyres, rust, or engine wear is not covered. Insurance is designed for sudden and unexpected events.
- Undeclared Original Conviction - Declaring the AC30 alone is not enough. Every motoring conviction in the last five years must be declared. Failure to declare any conviction can invalidate the policy.
Important Limitations
- Higher Compulsory Excess - Insurers usually apply a higher compulsory excess on AC30 policies. Check your policy schedule so you know the amount before you need to claim.
- Named Driver Restrictions - Some AC30 policies limit who else can drive the vehicle, or exclude named drivers with their own convictions. Additional drivers may need to be declared individually.
- Mileage Restrictions - Specialist convicted driver policies often cap annual mileage. Going over the limit without telling the insurer can invalidate the cover, so the declared mileage needs to be realistic.
Optional Extras Worth Considering
Your base policy covers the essentials. These optional extras fill gaps that matter more after an AC30 - especially around legal protection and rebuilding an insurer's confidence.
A black box tracks your driving and helps rebuild an insurer's confidence after a AC30 extended ban. Evidence of careful driving may help reduce renewal premiums over time.
Once you start building no claims again, protecting the discount keeps the price reduction even if you later need to claim.
Helps with legal costs if you need to dispute fault or pursue a claim after a non-fault incident. Often inexpensive and worth considering.
Roadside assistance for breakdowns. After a long ban the car may be older or less reliable, and this can be a useful add-on.
Pays a set amount if you are injured in an incident and unable to work. Terms vary by insurer.
Helps recover losses from a non-fault crash, including uninsured loss recovery. Subject to policy limits and conditions.
What Affects the Cost of AC30 Car Insurance?
An AC30 is a loading for a motor insurer, but how much depends heavily on the specific underlying offence. Some AC30 cases price close to a standard conviction loading, others sit closer to the higher AC10 and AC20 bands.
| Key Factor | Impact on Your Price |
|---|---|
| The Specific Underlying Offence | AC30 covers a range of underlying offences, and the exact one drives pricing more than the code itself. A specialist broker will ask about this first. |
| Time Since the AC30 Conviction | The longer it has been since your AC30 conviction, the lower the loading insurers tend to apply. Time is a major factor. |
| Points Imposed (4 to 9) | Magistrates set the exact number of points. A 4-point AC30 looks materially lower-risk than a 9-point AC30, and specialist brokers pass that distinction to underwriters. |
| Whether Injury Was Involved | An AC30 tied to an accident involving injury attracts higher premiums than one involving property damage only. Insurers price the underlying circumstances. |
| Other Motoring Convictions | An AC30 combined with drink, drug, or dangerous driving codes will push the price up sharply. A clean record around the AC30 helps. |
| Vehicle Choice | Lower-group vehicles, modest engine sizes, and older cars generally attract lower premiums after an AC30. |
| Annual Mileage | Lower realistic mileage often reduces the price. Be truthful - going over the declared mileage without telling the insurer can invalidate the policy. |
| Telematics Option | A telematics policy provides evidence of safe, accountable driving after the conviction and may help reduce renewal premiums over time. |
Price Insight: The first renewal after an AC30 conviction is almost always the most expensive. Each clean year after that tends to bring the price down. Comparing quotes through a specialist broker at every renewal is the best way to find out if the market has softened.
Ways to Reduce Your AC30 Car Insurance Cost
An AC30 pushes premiums up, but there are practical steps that can bring the cost down. Here are 7 ways to reduce what you pay.
Know Exactly What the Underlying Offence Was
AC30 is a catch-all, so the specific underlying offence matters more than the code itself. Get a copy of the court documents or the notice from the DVLA so your specialist broker can describe the exact conviction to underwriters. Vague descriptions lead to higher quotes.
If Your AC30 Involved a Minor Failure
Some AC30 cases arise from small technical failures at the scene of an accident rather than deliberate wrongdoing. A specialist broker can place these with underwriters who distinguish a technical lapse from a more serious breach. Context is everything.
If It Is Your First Conviction
A first-time AC30 with an otherwise clean record is a very different risk to an AC30 stacked on top of other motoring convictions. A specialist broker argues the full history with underwriters who take the clean period into account.
If You Received 4 Points Not 9
Magistrates set the exact number of points within the 4-to-9 range based on the circumstances. A 4-point AC30 is materially lower-risk than a 9-point AC30 in an insurer's pricing model. Make sure your specialist broker knows the exact endorsement.
Telematics to Rebuild Trust
A black box policy after an AC30 is particularly valuable because the ambiguity of the code itself leaves underwriters uncertain. Telematics data gives them something concrete - evidence that your everyday driving is careful and accountable.
Pay Annually If You Can
Monthly payment adds an interest charge that can be significant on an AC30-loaded premium. Paying annually avoids it.
Compare Every Renewal
Each clean year after an AC30 reduces the loading. Comparing with specialist brokers at every renewal is the only way to see whether the market has softened.
Saving Tip: The year after an AC30 conviction is the most expensive for insurance. Every clean year after that tends to reduce the loading. Comparing with specialist brokers at every renewal is the most reliable way to see whether the price is coming down.
How to Compare AC30 Car Insurance Quotes
Getting AC30 quotes through Clean Green Cars is straightforward. Here is how the process works. Get started above when you are ready.
Enter Your Vehicle Details
Registration number, make, model, and where the vehicle is kept overnight. Specialist brokers need the same basic vehicle information as any other quote.
Declare Your AC30 and Original Conviction
Enter the AC30 conviction code, date of conviction, and the specific underlying offence if known. Declare any other motoring convictions honestly.
Add Your Driving History
Any other convictions, recent claims, years of no claims discount, and the date your extended ban ended. Accuracy matters.
Choose Your Cover Level
Decide between comprehensive, third party fire and theft, or third party only. A specialist broker can talk through the balance of cost and cover.
Compare the Quotes
Specialist brokers return quotes based on your full details. Compare the prices, the cover, the excess, and the policy terms before you commit.
What Our Expert Says
An AC30 is the catch-all DVLA endorsement for accident-related offences that do not fit neatly within AC10 or AC20. It sits within the same Section 170 Road Traffic Act 1988 family but covers a wider range of underlying facts, and that is exactly what makes it unusual - AC30 is the only AC code where the code alone does not tell an insurer what happened.
That matters because the specific underlying offence drives both the sentencing and the insurance pricing. An AC30 might capture a failing-to-produce-insurance offence at the scene of an accident, or a breach of a lesser reporting duty, or another Section 170-related conviction that the magistrates have categorised as an accident offence. Specialist brokers who deal with AC30 cases every day ask the right questions up front - what the underlying offence was, what the sentence was, what the circumstances of the accident were - and place the case with an underwriter who will listen.
Mainstream comparison sites tend to decline AC30 outright precisely because the code is ambiguous. The specialist broker market is where these cases get placed, and those brokers treat AC30 as a conversation rather than a data field. Comparing quotes at every renewal is the most reliable way to know whether the loading is coming down.
Co-founder of Clean Green Cars
Common AC30 Car Insurance Questions
What Is an AC30 Conviction?
AC30 is the DVLA endorsement code for undefined accident offences. It is used as a catch-all for convictions relating to a driver’s conduct after an accident where the specific offence does not fit neatly within AC10 (failing to stop) or AC20 (failing to report within 24 hours). It carries 4 to 9 penalty points and a possible discretionary driving ban.
Why Is AC30 Described as 'Undefined'?
The DVLA endorsement codes are a fixed list, and AC30 acts as the catch-all for accident-related offences that do not match the more specific codes. The ‘undefined’ label refers to the code itself, not to the offence – the actual conviction will be for a specific, named statutory offence recorded in the court documents.
How Do I Find Out What the Underlying Offence Was?
Your court documents or the DVLA notification will show the specific offence that led to the AC30 endorsement. This matters for insurance because the underlying offence drives pricing. A specialist broker will ask about the exact conviction when quoting.
How Long Does an AC30 Stay on My Driving Licence?
Under the DVLA endorsement rules, an AC30 stays on your driving record for 4 years from the date of the offence. Most insurers then ask about convictions in the last 5 years.
How Many Penalty Points Does an AC30 Carry?
Between 4 and 9 penalty points. The exact number is set by the magistrates based on the specific facts. This is slightly lower than the 5-to-10 range for AC10 and AC20, reflecting the generally less serious nature of the offences captured by the code.
Will the Court Impose a Ban for an AC30?
A ban is discretionary, not automatic. How likely a ban is depends on the specific underlying offence, the circumstances of the accident, and any aggravating factors. Most AC30 cases are sentenced with points and a fine.
Can You Get Car Insurance After an AC30 Conviction?
Through the specialist broker market, yes. Many mainstream insurers decline AC30 because the code is ambiguous, but specialist brokers have insurer panels that will quote once they know the specific underlying offence. Comparing those quotes is how you find the right price.
When Does an AC30 Become Spent Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act?
It depends on the sentence. A fine is spent 1 year after conviction. A community order is spent on the last day it has effect. Most AC30 cases result in a fine, so the 1-year-after-conviction rule typically applies.
How Is AC30 Different From AC10 and AC20?
What Happens After I Submit My Details?
Your details are passed to specialist brokers who handle AC30 cases. They return quotes based on your information, including the specific underlying offence. Compare the quotes, cover levels, and policy terms before choosing.
Related Accident Offence Conviction Codes
AC30 sits within the accident offences family of conviction codes. Each carries different penalties and different insurance implications. These are the related DVLA endorsement codes.
Search & compare quotes from UK AC30 Car Insurance Providers
Useful Resources
- GOV.UK - Endorsement Codes and Penalty Points - The official DVLA list showing all endorsement codes, penalty points, and how long each stays on your record.
- Legislation.gov.uk - Road Traffic Act 1988, Section 170 - The statute creating the framework of duties after an accident.
- GOV.UK - How Long Endorsements Stay on Your Driving Record - The official rule on AC endorsement retention.
- GOV.UK - Report an Accident - How to report a road traffic accident to the police and what information must be given.
- Sentencing Council - Fail to Stop After Accident - The magistrates' court sentencing guideline for Section 170 offences.
