Van insurance for convicted drivers: everything you need to know

If you’ve been convicted of any criminal offence, motoring or otherwise, finding affordable van insurance can be difficult. The good news is there are still ways to find cover that suits your needs. Whether you’ve picked up a few penalty points or faced a more serious offence, there are still options available, and ways to keep costs under control.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about van insurance for convicted drivers. We will cover what counts as a driving conviction, how it affects your insurance, why honesty matters when declaring convictions, and practical tips to help reduce your premium.

What’s covered

• What is convicted driver insurance?
• Can you get van insurance with a conviction?
• What is a driving conviction?
• Typical driving offences that lead to convictions
• Do you need to declare convictions when getting a van insurance quote?
• How do driving convictions impact your van insurance?
• How much does van insurance for convicted drivers cost?
• 6 ways to reduce the cost of convicted driver van insurance
• FAQs

Are you looking for van insurance cover? Get in touch with us! A member of the Howden team would love to help you find a policy that's right for you!

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What is convicted driver insurance?

There are insurance companies in the market that specialise in adverse risk and insuring convicted drivers. They provide the same core cover as any standard van or car insurance policy, yet because insurers view convicted drivers as higher risk, it's often harder to obtain and comes with significantly higher premiums compared to regular vehicle insurance.

Also read: Car insurance for convicted drivers: What to know

Can you get van insurance with a conviction?

Yes, you can still obtain van insurance with a conviction, although it can be challenging and often expensive. Some insurers may refuse cover if you have an unspent criminal conviction, while others may simply increase your insurance premium to reflect the added risk. 

If your conviction is linked to driving, van insurance usually costs more. If you're struggling to find cover from mainstream insurance companies, you may need to consider a specialist insurer, who tend to accept a wider range of convictions.  

What is a driving conviction?

A driving conviction is a type of conviction you can receive for committing a motoring offence. Common offenses include speeding, careless driving, being uninsured, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

Penalties vary based on the severity of the motoring offence and can range from fines and penalty points to a driving ban, or even a prison sentence for more serious cases.  

Minor offences: fixed penalty notices (FPNs)

For certain offenses, such as slightly exceeding the speed limit or using a mobile phone while driving, you may receive a fixed penalty notice (FPN) rather than being taken to court.

• An FPN usually involves a fine and sometimes penalty points on your licence. 

• If you pay the fine promptly, the matter is discharged and does not count as a criminal conviction. 

• Most insurers will ask for details of any convictions received in the last 5 years.

• However, if points are added, they can remain on your driving record for four or eleven years, depending on severity of the offence. 

If you are offered the option of attending a Speed Awareness or Safe and Considerate Driving course, your penalty points may be waived. These courses cost money but keep your licence clean.

'Endorsable' offences and penalty points

For more serious offences, a court can 'endorse' your licence with penalty points and an offence code, such as the ‘SP’ for speeding or ‘DR’ for drink driving offences. 

• Accumulating 12 points or more within three years can lead to a driving ban under the 'totting-up' procedure. 

• Endorsements can stay on your record for several years, which insurers will take into account when calculating premiums. 

Serious offences: bans and criminal records

The most severe convictions include drink driving, drug driving, dangerous driving, and offences causing death. These carry immediate and significant consequences: 

• Courts can impose an instant driving ban or even a prison sentence. 

• These offences would result in a criminal record and remain on your driving history for up to 11 years. 

Such convictions can dramatically impact your opportunity to drive, your employment prospects, and your insurance costs. 

Typical driving offences that lead to convictions

There are over 70 types of motoring offences in the UK. Driving offences vary in impact, each with a unique offence code and a specific set of penalties. These can include fines, penalty points, and in some cases, driving bans or imprisonment. Below is a list of some of the most common driving offences:

• Speeding: The most common driving offense in the UK, speeding convictions result in a minimum of three penalty points and a £100 fine. However, this can increase to up to six points and or even a driving disqualification if your speed was particularly dangerous and/or excessive. 

• Driving without insurance: Can lead to six penalty points and a £300 fine. If it goes to court, you could face an unlimited fine and even a driving ban. 

• Careless driving: Penalties range from a fixed penalty notice to a court hearing, which could lead to an unlimited fine, between 3 and 9 penalty points, and even a discretionary driving ban, depending on the severity.  

• Dangerous driving: Results in an unlimited fine, a driving ban for at least 12 months, and a prison sentence of up to 2 years (which can be longer if serious injury or death is cause). 

• Drink or drug driving: 3–11 points, an unlimited fine, a minimum 12-month ban, and up to six months in prison. Causing death while under the influence can lead to life imprisonment. 

• Using a mobile phone while driving: Can result in a £200 fine and six penalty points.  

• Ignoring traffic light signals or running a red light: 3 penalty points and a £100 fine. 

Note: New drivers receiving convictions can risk losing their licence if they passed their test within the last two years. They could also be required to retake the driving test.

Also read: New drivers and penalty points: what are the rules?

Do you need to declare convictions when getting a van insurance quote?

When obtaining a van insurance quote, while you don't need to inform your insurer about any spent convictions, you must declare any unspent convictions. This could be a driving conviction or any other type of conviction. 

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, a conviction becomes ‘spent’ once a specific rehabilitation period has passed from the date of the conviction. This period varies depending on the type of sentence and the age of the offender at the time.  

What happens if you don't tell insurance about convictions?

If you fail to declare unspent convictions, your policy could be invalidated and any claims would most likely not be met by your insurer. If a claim has already been paid out, your insurer may reclaim the money, and your cover could be cancelled. Worse still, it could even lead to prosecution for insurance fraud.  

Becoming insured in the future may also become more difficult, and some offences make finding affordable cover particularly challenging. For example, van insurance for drink drivers is usually very expensive. 

Even if your insurer doesn’t ask directly, it’s a good idea to review the policy terms for any exclusions related to convictions to ensure your cover remains valid. 

How do driving convictions impact your van insurance?

As we've mentioned, driving convictions make finding van insurance challenging; it's often more expensive and can restrict policy options. Some insurers won’t offer cover at all if you have unspent criminal convictions, although there are specialist providers who will offer van insurance for convicted drivers. 

Minor convictions might not change your premium, but most convictions increase costs because insurers see you as a higher risk. Serious offences, such as drink driving, can make it even harder to secure cover, and some providers may refuse to insure you altogether. It’s not just motoring offences that matter either; any criminal conviction can influence your ability to find affordable van insurance. 

Honesty is the best policy when it comes to van insurance. If you fail to disclose unspent convictions, your policy could be invalidated, any claims refused, and you might even face prosecution. Some insurers will consider whether or not they would have offered a quote had they known prior to cover being granted. 

Note: If you’ve ever had a policy cancelled or been refused insurance, potential new insurers will also need to know before cover is agreed.

How much does van insurance for convicted drivers cost?

The cost of van insurance for convicted drivers varies widely and is influenced by several factors. Having a conviction is one of the biggest factors affecting cost and premiums are usually higher than for someone with a clean licence. 

The type of offence and the penalty imposed will determine how much extra you pay. More serious convictions typically lead to significantly higher premiums, although each insurer sets its own pricing. Other key factors include: 

• Policy type and level of cover 
• Your age and driving experience 
• Vehicle type and value 
• Gross vehicle weight 
• Where your van is kept overnight 
• Security  
• How you use the van (personal or business) 

Because so many variables are involved, it’s difficult to give an accurate estimate without a personalised quote. The simplest way to find out what you’ll pay is to get a tailored quote that reflects your circumstances. A member of the Howden team would love to help!

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6 ways to reduce the cost of convicted driver van insurance

If you're a convicted driver, there are several ways to lower the cost of your van insurance. Here are six top tips:

1. Opt for a van in a lower insurance group

   Smaller vans with modest engines and low running costs are seen as lower risk by insurers, and tend to fall into lower insurance groups, making them cheaper to insure.

2. Improve your van's security

   Adding Thatcham-approved security measures like alarms, immobilisers or steering wheel locks will reduce risk of theft and could lower your premium.

3. Consider a telematics device

   A black box monitors your driving behaviour (e.g. speed, acceleration, and braking) and sends this data to your insurer. Taking out black box insurance may reduce your premium rate when it's time to renew, given that you drive sensibly and carefully.

4. Park off-road

   Your van's overnight location is a key factor in determining premium costs. Parking your van in a locked garage is the lowest risk option, and failing this a driveway or locked compound is still better than leaving it on the street.

5. Reduce your mileage

   The more you drive, the more you pay. Reducing your annual mileage can lower costs, but make your give an accurate figure to avoid invalidating claims. Also, deliberately underestimating your mileage is a form of insurance fraud and against the law.

6. Speak to a broker

   At Howden, our brokers are insurance industry experts, searching across a wider market to help you find the right cover, at the right price.

Also read: How to save money on your van insurance: 20 practical tips

This is a marketing article from Howden Insurance. The information in this guide is intended for general guidance only and is accurate at time of publication.

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