Can convicted drink drivers get car insurance?

Having a drink driving conviction on your record could make it harder to find car insurance and some insurers won’t offer policies if you’ve been convicted of this kind of offence.

But there are some insurance providers who specialise in car insurance for those with drink driving convictions. These policies may be more expensive than standard car insurance.

Do I need car insurance during a driving ban?

If you’ve been issued with a driving ban, you need to have third party insurance for your car unless you declare it off the road by making a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). If you do make a SORN notification, you won’t have to pay road tax.

Once your driving ban has ended, you’ll need to apply for your driving licence to be reissued and also get car insurance.

UK drink driving alcohol laws

The alcohol limits for drivers in the UK are:

It’s difficult to say how many drinks this equals. The amount of alcohol your body absorbs and how quickly depends on factors that are unique to you, including:

• Your sex
• Your age
• Your weight
• Your metabolism
• The type of alcohol you’ve drunk
• Whether you’ve eaten and what you’ve eaten
• Your stress levels

Even small amounts of alcohol can affect how you drive, so it’s always better to be cautious when it comes to drink driving. Learn more about the UK drink driving limit.

Drink driving penalties

There are very strict drink driving penalties if you’re caught over the limit in the UK.

If you’re caught in charge of a vehicle whilst above the legal limit or unfit through drink, you could get:

• Up to a £2,500 fine
• A three-month prison sentence
• A possible driving ban

If you’re caught driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink, you could get:

• An unlimited fine
• A six-month prison sentence
• A driving ban for at least one year (three years if convicted twice within a 10 year period)

If you refuse to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine to measure your alcohol level, you may get:

• An unlimited fine
• A six-month prison sentence
• A driving ban for at least one year

If you cause death by careless driving when under the influence of drink, you may get:

• An unlimited fine
• Life imprisonment
• A driving ban for at least five years

You might also have to take an extended driving test before your licence is returned after your driving ban.

Learn more about UK drink driving penalties.

Drink driving penalty points (endorsements)

If you receive a drink driving conviction, you’ll also be given penalty points. The number of points and how long they last depends on how serious the driving offence is.

Learn more about driving penalty points.

Do I need to declare drink driving convictions to insurers?

Yes, you do. It’s illegal in the UK to not inform your insurance provider about any drink driving convictions. If you fail to, not only are you breaking the law, but you may also invalidate your insurance. Your provider might not pay out if you make a claim, leaving you to pay any costs yourself. If you’re over 18, you need to declare the offence for five years – it’s two years and six months for under 18s.

You must also inform your insurer about any penalty points you’re given.

Does my insurance cover accidents while under the influence?

If you cause an accident whilst driving over the legal alcohol limit, your car insurance might not pay out for any injuries you suffer, or for any damage to your vehicle. Your insurance will pay out for the costs of any claims made by a third party, but your provider may attempt to pass these costs onto you.

Check the terms and conditions on your insurance policy to understand what you’re covered for in the event of accidents caused when drink driving.

How does drink driving affect car insurance premiums?

If you have a drink driving conviction, your car insurance premiums will likely be more expensive. This is because insurers view you as a higher-risk driver that’s more likely to make a claim. It’s often harder to find insurance policies, too.

How much higher your premiums will be depends on your circumstances and the conviction.

How can I make car insurance cheaper after a drink driving conviction?

Your premiums may be higher after a drink driving conviction but there are steps you can take that could help to lower them.

1. Take a drink driving rehabilitation course: After receiving a drink driving conviction, you’ll likely be offered a driving rehabilitation course. If you take the course and pass it, it could help reduce your future insurance premiums.

1. Increase your voluntary excess: The excess on a policy is the amount of money you pay when making an insurance claim. The majority of insurance policies have a compulsory excess, but some offer a voluntary excess where you agree to pay more. Increasing your voluntary excess may reduce your premiums.

1. Consider black box insurance: With black box insurance – also called telematics insurance – a device is installed in your car so your insurer can remotely monitor your driving. It can help prove you’re a safe driver so long as you drive responsibly.

1. Reduce your mileage: The more you drive the more likely you are to have an accident, at least from an insurer’s point of view. If you volunteer to limit your mileage, insurance providers may offer you lower car insurance premiums.

1. Invest in your car’s security: Taking steps to improve your car’s security, such as installing an immobiliser or parking off road, could help lower your premiums.

1. Shop around for car insurance: As with any form of insurance, you can find the best deals by comparing car insurance quotes from a range of insurers..

How Asda can help you find car insurance

We can help you find the right car insurance for your requirements. Compare quotes from a panel of over 60 insurance providers, offering a variety of insurance for different types of drivers. The car insurance comparison service is provided by Vast Visibility Limited.

Start comparing car insurance quotes today.