Help us – As part of our policy work we’re working on stopping the sharing of spent motoring convictions by the DVLA
Download: List of motor insurers [PDF]
Background
- We have been developing access to fair insurance for people with convictions since 2000.
- Since then we have worked hard to make it easier for you to get genuine cover at a fair price.
- Unlock is an independent charity, and so we do not provide insurance directly. We are not FCA regulated and so we’re not able to provide specific insurance advice.
- We have published below a list of motor insurers.
- The list is based on the feedback we’ve received from clients who have obtained insurance from mainstream providers of motor insurance.
- It should be read alongside our guidance on insurance and convictions, and the list of insurance brokers.
Advice on using the list
- Since April 2013, for personal insurance, if the company doesn’t ask you about convictions, you do not have to tell them
- Many motor insurance companies ask about non-motoring convictions. Where they do, even if you think it’s not relevant, you must disclose (although only what is unspent)
- However, some mainstream insurance companies do not ask about non-motoring convictions (remember to check any assumptions or terms/conditions of cover)
- So long as your convictions don’t fall within the questions that the company are asking, you do not have to tell them.
- The list contains details of some of the major personal motor insurance providers who do not ask about non-motoring convictions (unless otherwise stated)
If you find that any of the details are incorrect, or have suggestions of further additions to this list, please let us know by emailing advice@unlock.org.uk.
In the majority of cases, details of any motoring offences can be found on your driving licence. After a certain time, they may not appear your driving licence as they may have been removed by the DVLA. However if the company asks, you must declare all offences in the past five years, even if they have been removed from your licence.
“I have struggled for many years trying to get adequate insurance at an affordable price, this has been almost an impossible mission, so the latest changes in legislation, and not having to disclose unspent convictions, is a breath of fresh air and has reduced the cost significantly.
When searching, I have to be mindful of declaring my unspent conviction. However, I came across Diamond Car Insurance for Women and using the ABI Guidelines, I was able to secure pretty much the lowest insurance policy I could find. They don’t ask for any non-motoring convictions on their website quote generator and when I contacted them to go over the details, they did not ask on the phone.
I have looked through the policy schedule and there are no assumptions. I have looked through all the paperwork and there seems to be no indication of non-motoring convictions mentioned.
This may be useful to any females using the site or to males looking at being named drivers on relative’s cars.”
Download: List of motor insurers [PDF]
I have a friend who is currently in an open prison for nothing to do wth a motoring offence. He has the opportunity to take an HGV driving course but will need a car to get to & from the training company. Do you know of an insurance company that might insure an inmate rather than an ex-prisoner?
Thanks for your work in helping prisoners get back on their feet – my friend shouldn’t even be in there but now has a criminal record he does not deserve.
Kind regards
Hi Gill
I don’t know of any specific insurance companies that provide policies to individuals who are currently in prison and it may be that your friend will need to get their insurance through a broker. You can find a list of ‘friendly’ brokers at https://unlock.org.uk/advice/list-insurance-brokers/.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi Gill
My partner is in the same situation. Did you have much luck with any of the brokers? I am looking to email them all tomorrow.
Many Thanks,
Megan
LV.com now mention unspent non-motoring convictions in their policy booklet.
Yes and they now ask on their website. If you tick yes to unspent convictions, it states they can’t insure. Really disappointing.
I literally took out my insurance on 5th October 2022 and it didn’t ask then. I have an unspent criminal conviction and now we’re limited to Churchill, Direct Line or Privilege, unless LVs renewal is competitive. It makes life so much harder to move on with.
I have a daughter and son in law in an open prison both can have a car who will give mother insuence at a loss to find anybody
Admiral currently insure with a conviction. I have been covered with them for the last 3 years. They will ask but still cover.
Churchill are excellent for car insurance- they didn’t ask about non motoring convictions and when I phoned to check they confirmed that they ONLY ask about motoring convictions and NON motoring convictions do not have to be declared. They have a uk based call centre and were very helpful.
Intelligent insurance were also excellent for home insurance. You do have to declare convictions but it didn’t affect my cover and the premium was only slightly more than I was previously paying. Again, uk based helpful staff.