Over 110 car insurance providers
Written by Michael Foote, Insurance Expert
Michael Foote is the founder of Quote Goat and has over 20 years experience working in finance & insurance. Since launching Quote Goat he has appeared on TV as well as many of the largest online publications including Forbes, The Telegraph and The Metro. Prior to Quote Goat, he worked in finance in the city.
Can You Get Car Insurance with 6 Points on Your Licence?
Yes, you can get car insurance with 6 points, though you’ll likely pay more than drivers with clean licences. Insurers treat penalty points as a risk indicator, which affects both your premium and the number of providers willing to offer cover.
The key is finding insurers who specialise in covering drivers with penalty points. These providers understand your situation and often offer more competitive rates than mainstream insurers who may decline your application or quote inflated prices.
Which Offences Result in 6 Points?
Several driving offences carry 6 penalty points:
- Using a mobile phone while driving (CU80)
- Driving without insurance (IN10)
- Careless or inconsiderate driving (CD10)
- Certain serious speeding offences (SP40, SP50)
- Failing to stop after an accident (AC10)
- Driving whilst disqualified (BA10)
The nature of your offence affects how insurers assess your risk. Driving without insurance typically increases premiums more than accumulating 6 points from two separate minor speeding tickets.
How Much Will Your Premium Increase?
Premium increases vary considerably based on several factors:
Type of offence: Serious violations like driving without insurance cause larger increases than minor speeding penalties.
Your age: Younger drivers typically face steeper increases. A 21-year-old with 6 points may pay double what they would with a clean licence, whilst a 40-year-old might see a 30-40% increase.
Location: Urban areas with higher baseline premiums compound the effect of points. If you live in a major city, you’ll find area-specific guidance in our London Car Insurance or Liverpool Car Insurance guides.
Claims history: A clean claims record helps offset the impact of penalty points.
Time since conviction: Recent convictions affect premiums more than older ones.
Most drivers with 6 points see increases between 25% and 60%, though some face higher rises depending on their circumstances.
What You Must Declare When Applying
You must declare all penalty points and driving convictions when getting insurance quotes. Failing to disclose this information constitutes fraud and invalidates your policy.
Insurers need the following details:
- The offence code (such as SP40 or CU80)
- Number of points received
- Date of conviction
- Any disqualification period
Insurers cross-reference your information with the DVLA, so discrepancies will be identified. If you’re found to have undeclared points, your insurer can cancel your policy, refuse claims, and report you to the Insurance Fraud Bureau.
How Long Do Points Affect Your Insurance?
Penalty points stay on your licence for 4 to 11 years depending on the offence, though most become ‘spent’ after 4 years.
Insurers typically ask about convictions received in the past 5 years, even if the points have technically expired. Once a conviction becomes spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, you may no longer need to declare it, but check with individual insurers as policies vary.
Your premiums should gradually decrease as your conviction ages, particularly if you maintain a clean driving record.
Practical Ways to Lower Your Premium
Even with 6 points, you can take steps to reduce your insurance costs:
Compare quotes from multiple providers: Prices vary dramatically between insurers. Specialist providers often beat mainstream insurers for drivers with points.
Increase your voluntary excess: A higher excess reduces your premium, but ensure you can afford to pay it if you claim.
Protect your no claims discount: Years of claim-free driving help offset penalty point increases.
Pay annually: Lump sum payments cost less than monthly instalments, which include interest.
Reduce annual mileage: Lower mileage means lower risk. If you’ve cut down your driving, inform your insurer.
Consider telematics insurance: Black box policies monitor your driving and can reward safe behaviour with lower premiums.
Add an experienced named driver: Adding someone with a clean licence and good driving history may reduce costs, but only if they genuinely use the vehicle.
Avoid modifications: Heavily modified vehicles increase premiums further.
Improve security: Installing an approved alarm or immobiliser can lower costs.
Specialist vs Mainstream Insurers
Mainstream insurers often have strict underwriting criteria and may decline to cover drivers with 6 points or quote very high premiums.
Specialist insurers focus on higher-risk drivers and typically offer:
- More competitive rates for drivers with convictions
- Flexible payment plans
- Experience assessing drivers with multiple points or convictions
- Better customer service for complex cases
Using a comparison tool shows you which insurers will cover you and helps identify the best prices.
What If You Have Other Complicating Factors?
If you have additional circumstances affecting your insurance, such as claims history or CCJs, you may need to search more thoroughly for suitable cover. The good news is that comparison tools can filter results based on your specific situation.
Finding the Right Cover
Shopping around is essential when you have 6 points on your licence. Insurers assess risk differently, which creates significant price variations between providers.
Specialist insurers often provide better value than you might expect, and comparing quotes takes only a few minutes. Your premium will depend on your individual circumstances, so getting multiple quotes ensures you find the most affordable policy available.
Be honest about your penalty points when applying. Transparency protects you from policy cancellation and gives you access to insurers who are willing to cover your situation fairly.
Get Your Quote Today
If you have 6 points on your licence, finding affordable cover starts with comparing quotes from providers who specialise in your situation. Use the button on screen to compare car insurance quotes and find the right policy for your needs.
