What is Drink Driving Insurance?
Drink driving insurance is a specialist form of policy that takes into consideration drivers who have a DR code in relation to drink driving offences. Those who have been caught drink driving will have a conviction code such as a DR10 and will have drink driving bans.
If you have a DR conviction code on your licence, it means you will have been caught with over 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. Understanding the legal alcohol limit is crucial, as exceeding it can lead to severe penalties and affect your ability to obtain drink driving insurance.
Policies are versatile but found through more niche insurance providers who are often not on price comparison services.
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What Is A Drink Driving Conviction?
A drink driving conviction is a formal judgment or sentence given to an individual who has been found guilty of driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. This conviction is typically recorded on the individual’s driving licence and can have significant consequences.
Not only can it lead to increased car insurance premiums, but it can also result in fines, a driving ban, or even imprisonment. Having a drink driving conviction on your record can make it more challenging to find affordable car insurance, as insurers often view convicted drivers as higher risk.
Can I Get Car Insurance With A Drink Driving Conviction?
There are plenty of options for convicted drink drivers, but you should be aware that they may have specific terms, higher premiums and exclusions.
Having a drink driving conviction on your record can impact how simple it is to get insurance on your vehicle, but it doesn’t necessarily make it impossible.
When considering your personal vehicle insurance you should also think about things like HGV insurance, courier insurance and taxi insurance if you drive for work. You will also need to make your employer aware of this if it needs to be specified on the company fleet policy.
What’s Covered By Car Insurance For Drink Drivers?
Your drink driver car insurance quotes include and insure the same things as standard car insurance.
What Are The Drink Driving Alcohol Limits In The UK?
In the UK, the legal alcohol limits for drivers vary slightly depending on the region.
For England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the limits are set at:
- 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
- 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood
- 107 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine
Scotland, however, has stricter limits:
- 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
- 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood
- 67 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine
It’s crucial to stay informed about these limits and remember that the safest approach is to avoid drinking any alcohol if you plan to drive.
What Are The Drink Driving Conviction Codes And Penalties
When caught and convicted of drink driving, you will receive an endorsement on your drivers licence. Endorsements related to alcohol and drink driving will begin with a ‘DR’. The full list is:
- DR10 – Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol above the limit
- DR20 – Driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink
- DR30 – Driving or attempting to drive and refusing or failing to supply a specimen
- DR40 – In charge of vehicle with an alcohol level above the limit
- DR50 – In charge of vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs
- DR60 – Failure to provide a specimen for analysis other than driving
- DR70 – Failure to provide a specimen for a breath test
In addition to receiving an endorsement, you are likely to face or will have faced:
- An unlimited fine
- A driving ban with a minimum term of a year
- Up to 11 points added to your licence
- A possible 6 months imprisonment
These penalties will escalate in the event of having anything above a DR10. The magistrates court will look at each and every case, making a decision based on their findings.
If you have different codes to those above, you may want to checkout our convicted driver insurance page.
How To Reduce Insurance Cost If You Have A Drink Driving Conviction
Being caught drink driving could pose you as a higher risk driver, that said, your driving record generally is still taken into account. Things like your years experience in driving all have an impact.
However, there are a few things you can do to reduce these insurance costs if they are high. Depending on your conviction code, these actions may change which policies are available. Consulting with drink drive insurance specialists can help you find tailored policies and potentially lower your premiums.
Finding the Right Insurance Provider
Finding the right car insurance provider when you have a drink driving conviction can be a daunting task, but it’s not impossible. Here are some steps to help you find a specialist drink driving insurance provider:
- Research Online: Start by looking for insurance providers that specialize in car insurance for drink drivers. Check their websites for information on their services and read customer reviews to gauge their reputation.
- Compare Quotes: Obtain car insurance quotes from multiple providers to compare prices, coverage options, and terms. Be honest about your drink driving conviction and driving history to get accurate quotes.
- Check Experience: Opt for insurance providers with experience in handling drink driving convictions. These providers are more likely to understand your situation and offer suitable coverage.
- Verify Ratings: Look up the insurance provider’s ratings with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and other regulatory bodies. This will give you an idea of their financial stability and reliability.
- Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask questions about the policy details, coverage, and any exclusions. Ensure you fully understand the terms before committing to a car insurance policy.
By following these steps, you can increase your chances of finding a specialist drink driving insurance provider that meets your needs and offers the best possible coverage. Remember, while it may take some effort, securing the right insurance is crucial for your peace of mind and financial protection.
Drink Driving in The UK
Drink driving is a huge problem in the UK, with almost a fifth of fatalities on UK roads being caused by people driving under-the-influence.
Exceeding the legal limit for alcohol can have severe consequences, including higher insurance premiums and potential legal penalties.
Despite these worrying statistics and the many Government campaigns educating drivers on the danger of drink driving, 5% of drivers still admit to drink driving at least once. This may sound small but there are 50,000,000 registered drivers in the UK and if 1 in 20 are drink driving, this is a huge problem.
With these statistics in mind, it’s not too surprising that one of the most common hurdles for those struggling to insure their vehicles is having a previous drink driving conviction on their record. This can make it more difficult to correctly insure a vehicle, and often there is a lot of work to be done with an insurance broker or comparison site to find a policy that works.
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