Drink driving deaths increase during December and January, due to the high number of parties for Christmas and New Year. Despite the strict road traffic laws that exist to prevent such incidents, drink-driving related accidents are an extremely common problem. Every year in the UK over 3,000 people are either hurt or killed in road traffic accidents which are caused by people driving under the influence of alcohol.
Everyone knows the reasons not to drive under the influence of alcohol and the legal penalties associated with it. But most people don’t know how drinking and driving affects their car insurance.
Insurance is no longer valid if the driver operates his/her vehicle under illegal circumstances. Drivers are liable for all damages to their own car and insurers coudl potentially pass on any damages to a third party’s vehicle.
Insurance companies automatically load premiums for drivers who have points on their licence and also have a ban for drink driving. Insurers always ask if you have had any endorsements for motoring offences within the last 5 years. Failure to disclose such a conviction could result in your insurance being invalidated.
Motorists convicted of drink driving could see the cost of their car insurance premiums rise by 85 per cent on average, according to one aggregator.
Research carried out by the comparison site found that having a drink driving conviction (DR10 penalty) on a driving license can dramatically increase the cost of car insurance premiums. Motorists could see the cost of their cover go up from an average of £424 per year to £784. Moreover, some drivers may find it difficult to obtain insurance in the future.
It is even more crucial that professional drivers keep their license as clean as possible in order to minimise their insurance costs. Chauffeur insurance is one area that will see dramatic rises if insurers deem the driver to be a higher risk.
If you’re unhappy with your insurance premium due to convictions look for specialist insurance brokers. Their knowledge will reveal ways you can save money on your policy.
