Have you recently been convicted of drink driving? We explain how your insurance premium could be affected
As you are probably already aware, there are numerous disadvantages associated with drink driving. It can affect an individual on a personal level. Relationships with family and friends may also be affected. It can also affect how others perceive you. To make matters even worse, drink driving can land you with a hefty fine. It can also land you with penalty points on your license. Or even a lengthy driving ban. In extreme circumstances, a prison sentence may be involved. This is for those that are heavily over the legal limit. Resultantly, this may have caused serious injury or death.
As a result of committing a drink driving offence, your insurance premium is likely to sky rocket. The ‘good faith’ that you originally demonstrated to your insurer becomes eroded. You may now be seen as a liability who is likely to commit the same offence in the future. In addition to increased premiums, a drink driving conviction can make the chance of changing insurers. Also, getting a brand new policy very difficult. This is because insurance companies determine the likelihood of the offence being repeated by an individual in the future through statistical probability.
Why are drink driving offences looked down on so much by insurers?
The Department of Transport recently released some shocking statistics surrounding drink driving. Specifically, this surrounds injuries and deaths of other people. These include:
6% of road casualties happening when the driver was over the limit
14% of road deaths happening when the driver was over the limit
3000 people killed or seriously injured every year by those who drink drive
1/8 drivers admitting that they drove after being over the legal limit
These stats are severe in nature. Resultantly, insurance companies are implementing strict rules regarding drink driving. If a driver has been convicted of drink driving, their insurance premium can increase. This can be by up to 70%. This is 134% higher compared to drivers with no convictions. On average, drivers without a drink driving conviction pay around £450 a year for their insurance policy. For those that commit a drink driving offence, this increases dramatically. This can be up to £788 a year. This is similar to what you would pay for an insurance policy when you first start driving.
I have previously committed a drink driving offence. I am worried about increased insurance costs. Do policies exist that take my drink driving status into account?
In the majority of cases, the majority of drink driving convictions are not severe. For example, having to go to prison. Regardless, individuals that have a drink driving conviction can still access certain insurance companies that would be willing to provide them with a policy. A good resource to discover a range of insurance companies that would be willing to cover those with a conviction is Confused.com. To visit Confused.com, click here. They can help you if you have a previous drink drive conviction. Or help if you pay too much for your existing policy. They can even help if you struggle to find a new policy that will accept your drink driving status.
Are you a driver? Do you require more information about driving safely?
The website Drink and Drive Safe was set up by Toby Cruse. Toby witnessed a friend being convicted of drink driving. Tobies friend believed that he was under the legal limit to drive. However, when on the road, he was stopped and breathalysed. He was found to be over the limit. As a result, Tobies friend had to endure a plethora of consequences. These inevitably took their toll on him both physically and mentally. Toby was keen to create a resource to educate others about the dangers and consequences of drink driving. From this, Drink and Drive Safe was born.
The Drink and Drive Safe site contains a range of comprehensive information. A range of drink driving topics are covered such as legal limits. It also gives people the option to purchase breathalysers. Breathalysers are the only way of ensuring you are safe to drive after drinking.
Are you a driver? Do you regularly enjoy a drink? Why not access the Drink and Drive Site? Here, you can equip yourself with essential information about keeping safe behind the wheel. Alternatively, feel free to contact us using our on-line form by clicking here. We would love to help you further.
Are you an insurance company? Do you want to encourage safer driving for your customers?
Are you an insurance company? Would you like to offer your customers extra piece of mind from a potential conviction? We work with companies with regards to our breathalyser products. We can also offer discounts on certain volumes. If you would like to talk to us about our breathalyser products and making an order, submit your e-mail address today by clicking here. We will be in touch as soon as possible. We are very keen to build partnerships with businesses and look forward to working with you.