Motorists with speeding convictions pay twice as much for car insurance

Motorists convicted of speeding pay double the amount for their car insurance as those with clean licences, research suggests.

Two-thirds of drivers caught speeding escape penalty points in some areas
The area-by-area breakdown shows that the lowest enforcement rates for speeding offences are often in urban areas Credit: Photo: PA

Having points on your licence for speeding means your annual insurance premiums jump to an average of almost £1,000 a year, up £180 on last year and double the price paid by those with a blemish free driving record.

Drivers have always paid more if they have a speeding conviction as they are considered more likely to make a claim. But now the extra amount they pay is increasing.

Insurers are pushing up prices to recoup some of their losses stemming from a rise in claims during the recession.

Steve Sweeney, head of motor insurance at moneysupermarket.com said: “Speeding increases accident rates so it’s hardly surprising insurers view a conviction dimly.

"Serial speeders are worse off year on year and have to fork out nearly £200 more on average for their insurance premiums compared to last year. This is the harsh reality facing anyone who has multiple points on their licence.”

A third of providers will not increase premiums for one blemish on your record, but serial speeders will find fewer providers willing to insure them and at increased prices.

The average amount paid in annual premiums for a 30-year old male teacher driving a Ford Focus is £546, according to the findings by price comparison website Moneysupermarket.com. It compares with average annual premiums of £623 if the same driver has three points on their licence and £958 if he has nine points.

The worst offending drivers are males aged between 17 and 21 who live in East Dunbartonshire, Scotland, with 54 per cent of this group picking up a speeding conviction.

They are followed by men in their 30s living in Swindon and Sheffield where 52 per cent and 30 per cent respectively have speeding convictions.