Drink driving is a serious crime with far-reaching consequences. One of the immediate impacts is a mandatory driving ban of at least 12 months, as outlined in the UK Government’s Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 section 34(1). However, even after the ban is lifted, consequences can linger. A common ripple effect is a significant increase in your car insurance premium.
In this article, Parnell and Peel will cover the average cost of car insurance after a drink driving ban and provide actionable steps to lower premiums.
Worried about the consequences of a recent drink driving conviction? Speak to a motor offence specialist today. With a 95% success rate in reducing or overturning driving bans, Parnell and Peel can help. Please call us on 033 03411690 or make a free online enquiry. All enquiries are entirely confidential, and you have no obligation to continue with our services.
Will My Insurance Cost Be Affected By a Drink Driving Ban?
Like any criminal conviction, a drink driving offence can significantly impact your car insurance. That’s because, in the eyes of insurance companies, you’re a higher-risk applicant with a greater likelihood of being involved in an accident or making a claim in the future.
Read on to learn how this might affect your insurance and what you can do to reduce the impact.
Can I Get Car Insurance After a Drink Driving Ban?
Once your ban lifts, you must reissue your driving licence and secure car insurance to return to the roads. You should still be able to get standard car insurance post-ban, but during this process, it’s not uncommon to experience:
- A substantial increase in insurance costs.
- Difficulty obtaining a policy, as fewer insurers will be inclined to take on the risk.
How Much Is Car Insurance After Drink Driving Ban UK?
If you’ve been convicted of drink driving, you can expect a significant increase in your car insurance costs. The exact amount will depend on your unique circumstances, such as the details of your conviction and vehicle specifics. So, what’s the average cost of car insurance after a drink driving ban?
Fortunately, Confused.com, a leading insurance comparison site regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has analysed its Q3 2024 data to provide insights on car insurance for drink drivers. Below is a table showing the average quoted prices for different drink-driving conviction codes. Please note that these figures only serve as a general guideline.
| Conviction Code | Conviction Description | Average quoted price |
| DR20 | Driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink | £4,637 |
| DR30 | Driving or attempting to drive then failing to supply a specimen for analysis | £2,313 |
| DR31 | Driving or attempting to drive then refusing to give permission for analysis of a blood sample that was taken without consent due to incapacity | £4,098 |
| DR40 | In charge of a vehicle with alcohol level above the limit | £1,799 |
| DR50 | In charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink | £3,960 |
| DR60 | In charge of a vehicle and or refusing a specimen for Analysis | £1,711 |
| DR61 | Failure to provide a specimen for drug analysis in circumstances other than driving or Attempting to drive | £1,259 |
| DR70 | Failing to provide a preliminary specimen for a breath test | £2,490 |
For context, the average cost of a comprehensive car insurance policy in the UK is £861, according to Confused.com’s latest price index. As you can see, a conviction for drink driving can cause a considerable rise in premiums.
Can I Lower My Car Insurance After a Drink Driving Ban?
Although you will initially see a spike in your insurance costs, there are strategies you can use to demonstrate responsible driving and reduce your premiums. Below are five ways to lower what you pay.
1. Complete a Drink-Driving Rehabilitation Course:
In some instances, the court might offer you the chance to attend a drink-drive rehabilitation course with a set deadline. While these courses typically cost up to £250 and require around 16 hours to complete, they can significantly benefit you. Completing the course could reduce your driving ban by up to 25% and may even help lower your future car insurance premiums. When it’s time to get reinsured, you must supply your insurance provider with your course completion certificate.
2. Try a ‘Black Box’ Insurance Policy:
A black box is a telematics device installed in your car that monitors and records your driving habits, including speed, driving times, and acceleration or braking patterns. You will receive a score based on your performance, which can affect your insurance policy’s cost.
Although the black box was initially introduced for young drivers, considered a higher risk on the roads, it can also benefit drivers with a previous conviction. If you consistently drive safely and responsibly, the device will collect and relay this data to your insurer, potentially lowering your premium.
3. Increase Your Voluntary Excess:
Opting for a higher voluntary excess can lower your car insurance premium, as you’ll be taking on more of the cost in the event of a claim. However, always choose an excess that’s within your budget.
4. Add a Safe Named Driver to Your Policy
When purchasing car insurance, you can often add a ‘named driver’ to your policy. Adding an experienced driver with a clean licence could help reduce your insurance risk and decrease costs. While this reduced cost isn’t guaranteed, it could help land you a lower premium.
5. Shop Around for the Best Deal
Insurance companies vary in how they handle applicants with driving convictions. Some may be more lenient, so it’s always worth comparing policies and quotes to find the best deal.
Consult a Specialist Drink Driving Solicitor Today
The best way to avoid escalating costs on your car insurance is to prevent a driving ban or conviction. If you’ve been charged with drink driving, it’s crucial to seek expert legal guidance as soon as possible. At Parnell and Peel, our skilled solicitors are experienced in handling complex motoring offences and have successfully defended 87% of the drink driving cases we’ve handled.
Contact us now by calling 033 03411690 or submitting a free online enquiry. All enquiries are confidential, and we’ll respond promptly to discuss your case and options.
If you’re wondering how we’ve helped others in similar situations, take comfort in our excellent track record of case studies and glowing client testimonials. We’re committed to achieving the best possible outcome for you – just as we have for many others.