Why Compare MS20 Car Insurance?
Motorcycle Endorsements Can Affect Car Insurance
Even though MS20 relates to pillion riding on a motorcycle, the endorsement appears on your driving licence and may affect your car insurance premium. Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers who understand how motorcycle convictions interact with car cover.
Each Insurer Treats MS20 Differently
Some providers may view any endorsement as a risk factor, while others barely adjust your price for a minor 3-point code. Clean Green Cars connects you with brokers who know which providers are most reasonable for motorcycle-related convictions.
Your Loading Could Ease Over Time
As the MS20 ages on your record, the impact on your premium could reduce. Specialist brokers may find you a better price at each renewal as the conviction becomes less recent.
MS20 Car Insurance At A Glance
- MS20 means unlawful pillion riding, contrary to Section 23 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This applies to carrying a passenger on a motorcycle without proper seating or footrests.
- The penalty is 3 points on your licence and a fine of up to £1,000. The endorsement stays on your licence for 4 years from the date of offence.
- Although MS20 is a motorcycle offence, the endorsement appears on your driving licence and could affect your car insurance premium too.
- Fill in the form above to compare MS20 quotes from specialist brokers.
What Is an MS20 Conviction?
MS20 is a statutory offence under Section 23 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 – unlawful pillion riding. Here’s how the law defines it:
- Who it applies to – The rider of a motorcycle who carries a passenger on a machine that is not properly equipped for pillion use, or who carries a passenger in contravention of the rules that apply to pillion riding.
- What counts as unlawful pillion riding – Carrying a pillion passenger on a motorcycle without a proper rear seat and footrests, carrying more than one pillion passenger, or carrying a pillion passenger while still holding only a provisional licence.
- How the duty arises – The moment the motorcycle is used on a road with a pillion passenger in breach of the rules. The rider is responsible for ensuring the machine and the circumstances of the journey comply with the law.
| Penalty | Details |
|---|---|
| Penalty Points | 3 |
| Driving Ban | Discretionary |
| Maximum Fine | Up to £1,000 |
| Time on Licence | 4 years on licence from date of offence |
| Spent After | Depends on sentence under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. A fine becomes spent 1 year from the date of conviction under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 |
MS20Can You Get Insurance With an MS20?
Yes, but the market is narrower than for a standard policy, and you’ll almost always need a specialist broker. Here’s what to know before you compare:
- Points and ban – 3 penalty points are added to your licence, with a discretionary driving ban possible depending on the circumstances.
- 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-only MS20 is spent 1 year after conviction under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
- Disclosure still matters – Non-disclosure can invalidate your policy and lead to a claim being declined, even for a minor motorcycle-specific endorsement.
- Motorcycle-specific treatment – Insurers that understand motorcycle offences typically apply a moderate loading rather than declining, particularly on an otherwise clean licence.
Clean Green Cars introduces you to specialist brokers experienced with motorcycle convictions and wider miscellaneous offences. If you need short-term cover while comparing, temporary car insurance with convictions may bridge the gap.
Who Needs MS20 Car Insurance?
An MS20 is a motorcycle-specific endorsement, but it appears on your full driving licence. Here is who typically needs to compare MS20 car insurance quotes.
Carried A Pillion Without A Proper Seat Or Footrests
Your bike technically had space for a passenger but lacked the correct seat or footrests. You did not realise the setup was illegal until the blue lights appeared. An equipment gap became a licence endorsement.
Learner Rider Who Carried A Passenger
You are still on a provisional licence and gave someone a lift without knowing learners cannot carry pillions. Nobody told you, the test preparation never covered it, and now you are dealing with points before you have even passed.
Motorcycle Not Rated For Pillion Use
Your bike is a single-seat model, or its type approval does not include pillion capability. You assumed if someone could sit on it, it was allowed. The manufacturer's classification said otherwise.
Young Rider First Time With A Passenger
You had only recently started carrying a pillion. The excitement of riding with a friend or partner overshadowed the legal details. A first experience with a passenger became a first experience with the courts.
Carried A Child Without Proper Footrests
Your child wanted a ride and you thought they were old enough. Without proper footrests that the child can reach, it is an offence - even if you drove slowly and carefully. The law does not bend for good intentions.
Worth Knowing: Clean Green Cars introduces you to brokers who cover drivers with MS20 endorsements. You fill in one form and get matched with specialists.
What MS20 Car Insurance Covers
An MS20 on your licence does not change what your car policy is designed to cover. It changes how much you pay and which insurers will quote you.
Here is what each level of cover could include. Please note that policy features, benefits, terms and conditions vary among insurers, so always check the policy wording.
| Feature | Comprehensive | Third Party, Fire & Theft | Third Party Only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage to your own vehicle | Yes | No | No |
| Fire and theft protection | Yes | Yes | No |
| Damage to other people's property | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Injury to other people | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windscreen cover | Often included | Rarely | No |
| Courtesy car | Sometimes included | Rarely | No |
Cover Tip: MS20 is a motorcycle offence, but the endorsement sits on your full licence. Always declare it when comparing car insurance, even if it feels irrelevant – not declaring could invalidate your cover.
What MS20 Car Insurance May Not Cover
A missed detail on your application could mean a claim gets declined. Here is what MS20 car insurance usually does not cover.
Standard Exclusions
- Undeclared Convictions - If you do not tell your insurer about your MS20 or any related convictions, they could invalidate your policy and may decline all claims.
- Driving Under the Influence - If you cause an accident while impaired by drink or drugs, your insurer could decline your claim regardless of any other conviction on your record.
- Undeclared Vehicle Use - If your policy covers social use but you are driving for business, your insurer could decline a claim for using the vehicle outside your policy terms.
- Racing or Track Use - Standard policies do not cover racing, track days, or competitive events.
Important Limitations
- Higher Compulsory Excess - Some insurers apply a higher compulsory excess for convicted drivers, which means you pay more before a claim is settled.
- Mileage Restrictions - Your policy may limit your annual mileage. Exceeding it could affect whether a claim is paid in full.
- Vehicle Value Cap - Some convicted driver policies may cap the maximum value of vehicle they will insure.
- Named Driver Restrictions - Some policies may limit who else can drive your car after a conviction of this nature.
Optional Extras Worth Considering
Your standard policy is designed to cover the basics. These extras fill gaps that could matter after a pillion riding conviction.
May help cover roadside assistance if your car breaks down away from home. Useful if you rely on your car daily and cannot afford to wait for recovery, subject to policy limits and conditions.
May help cover your legal costs if you need to dispute fault after an accident, depending on your policy terms.
May help cover the cost of replacing your keys if they are lost or stolen, subject to policy limits and conditions.
May be needed if you have built up years of no claims and want to keep your discount safe after a claim. Not every insurer offers this to convicted drivers, subject to insurer acceptance criteria.
May pay a set amount if you are hurt in a crash and cannot work, depending on your policy terms.
May be needed if you want to prove safe driving habits after your conviction. A black box tracks your speed, braking, and mileage, which could help reduce your renewal price over time.
What Affects the Cost of Car Insurance with a MS20 Conviction?
Your quote depends on your endorsement points, your overall driving history, and how recently you received the MS20. These factors affect what you pay.
| Key Factor | Impact on Your Price |
|---|---|
| Your MS20 conviction | MS20 carries 3 points for a motorcycle-specific offence. Some car insurers may weigh this less heavily than a car-related conviction, but you should still declare it. The loading could be modest. |
| Time since conviction | Your price could drop each year as the MS20 ages. A conviction from several years ago may cost less to insure than a recent one. |
| Other convictions on your licence | A MS20 on top of other motoring convictions could push your price up sharply. Several endorsements together may reduce the number of insurers willing to quote. |
| No claims discount | A long no claims history could help offset some of your MS20 loading. Protecting your discount may be worth considering. |
| Your vehicle (group, age, value) | Higher insurance group cars cost more to insure, with or without convictions. Choosing a lower group car could help reduce your overall price. |
| Annual mileage | Lower mileage usually means lower risk. If you drive less than the average, make sure your estimate is accurate to avoid overpaying. |
| Cover level | Comprehensive cover could cost less than third party only for some convicted drivers. Always compare all three levels to see which gives you the best price. |
| Where you live | Your postcode affects your base price before any conviction loading is added. |
Price Insight: It can feel unfair to pay more for car insurance because of something that happened on a motorcycle. Some car insurers do weigh motorcycle codes less heavily. Comparing could reveal which ones.
Ways to Cut Your Car Insurance Cost
An MS20 may add a modest loading to your car insurance premium. Here are some practical steps that could help manage what you pay.
Compare at Every Renewal
Your conviction loading could reduce each year, but your insurer may not pass that saving on. A motorcycle offence should not inflate your car insurance indefinitely. Get quotes above.
Consider a Telematics Policy
A black box tracks how you drive your car, not your bike. Good car driving data could help offset the loading from a motorcycle endorsement.
Choose a Lower Insurance Group Car
Lower-group cars cost less to insure. If you are buying a new car, checking the group before you buy could make a real difference on a conviction-loaded premium.
Increase Your Voluntary Excess
A higher excess could reduce your premium. Make sure the amount is something you could comfortably afford if you needed to claim.
Pay Annually If You Can
Monthly payments include interest charges. On a loaded premium, paying the full amount upfront could save you more than usual.
Add an Experienced Named Driver
Adding a more experienced driver with a clean licence could help balance how insurers see your application, especially if you are a younger driver.
Park Off the Street
A driveway or garage is lower risk than on-street parking. If you have off-street parking, make sure your insurer knows about it.
Saving Tip: A motorcycle pillion offence should not define what you pay for car insurance. Specialist brokers know which insurers price motorcycle endorsements fairly on car policies. Compare above.
How to Compare MS20 Car Insurance Quotes
Getting quotes after an MS20 does not take long. Here is how it works. Get started above when you are ready.
Enter Your Vehicle Details
Add your registration, make, model, and where you park overnight.
Add Your Personal Details
Enter your name, address, date of birth, and occupation.
Declare Your MS20
Select the MS20 conviction code, enter the date of offence, and the number of points. Declare any other endorsements on your licence too.
Complete Your Driving Record
Choose your cover level, add your no claims discount, and confirm any previous claims.
Review Your Quotes
Specialist brokers send you quotes based on your details. Compare prices and cover levels, then pick the one that fits.
What Our Expert Says
Most motorcyclists do not think twice about giving someone a lift on the back. It feels natural - until you discover there are specific legal requirements about pillion passengers that catch even experienced riders off guard.
MS20 relates to unlawful pillion riding under Section 23 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. It applies when a motorcycle carries a passenger without a proper seat, without footrests, or when the bike is not rated to carry a pillion at all. Learner riders carrying passengers also fall under this code. The penalty is 3 points and a fine of up to £1,000.
What makes MS20 sting is that it usually comes from ignorance, not recklessness. You did not know the rules, and now you are paying for it. Specialist brokers see this pattern constantly and know which insurers recognise the difference between a rider who made an honest mistake and one who took a deliberate risk.
Co-founder of Clean Green Cars
Common MS20 Car Insurance Questions
How Long Does an MS20 Stay on Your Licence?
Four years from the date of offence. Most insurers ask about convictions for the last 5 years.
How Many Points Is an MS20?
Three points. It is at the lower end of the endorsement scale.
What Is Unlawful Pillion Riding?
Carrying a passenger on a motorcycle without proper seating, footrests, or on a bike not designed for a pillion.
Does MS20 Affect My Car Insurance?
It could. The endorsement sits on your full licence. Some car insurers load for any endorsement, others barely adjust for a motorcycle-specific code.
How Much Does an MS20 Increase Car Insurance?
No fixed amount. Some car insurers weigh motorcycle codes less heavily than car-related convictions. Comparing reveals which providers take this approach.
Is MS20 a Criminal Conviction?
Technically yes, but dealt with by fixed penalty it is unlikely to appear on a standard criminal record check.
Can I Get a Fixed Penalty for MS20?
Yes. Most MS20 offences are dealt with by a fixed penalty of £100 and 3 points.
Do I Need to Declare MS20 on Car Insurance?
Yes. It sits on your driving licence and must be declared to your car insurer, even though the offence happened on a motorcycle.
Do I Need Specialist Insurance for MS20?
Not always. With 3 points, many mainstream insurers still quote. Specialist brokers could help if your renewal has been loaded unfairly.
What Happens After I Submit My Details?
A specialist broker contacts you directly with quotes. There is no obligation to buy.
Related MS Conviction Codes
MS20 sits within the miscellaneous offences family. Each code relates to a different type of offence.
Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position
Compare MS10 quotesMotor racing on the highway
Compare MS50 quotesOffences not covered by other codes
Compare MS60 quotesDriving with uncorrected defective eyesight
Compare MS70 quotesRefusing to submit to an eyesight test
Compare MS80 quotesFailure to give information as to identity of driver etc.
Compare MS90 quotesSearch & compare quotes from UK MS20 Car Insurance Providers
Useful Resources
- GOV.UK – Penalty Points and Endorsements – How the penalty points system works, including endorsement codes and expiry dates.
- GOV.UK – View Your Driving Licence – Check your licence online to see your current points and convictions.
- GOV.UK – Riding a Motorcycle or Moped – Rules for motorcycles, including passenger requirements and licence categories.
