The Price of Drink Driving Could be an 85% Insurance Hike

Motorists convicted of drink driving could see the cost of their car insurance premiums rise by an average 85 per cent on average, according to MoneySupermarket.com .

Research carried out by the price 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 - a whopping 85 per cent (or £360) increase. Furthermore, some drivers may find it difficult to obtain insurance in the future. According to the Department for Transport, six per cent of all road casualties and 16 per cent of road fatalities occurred in accidents in which a driver was over the legal alcohol limit.2

Peter Harrison, insurance spokesperson at MoneySupermarket.com said: "This is the time of year for parties and festivities, many people will be choosing to celebrate with a tipple or two over the Christmas and New Year season. Ensuring you have adequate travel arrangements in place to get you home is essential as driving while under the influence should not be an option in any circumstances. Not only does it put the safety of the driver and passengers at risk, but endangers other road users and pedestrians.

"Motorists convicted of being over the legal alcohol limit will face serious consequences, with fines of up to a £1,000, a 12-month driving ban, and even a possible prison sentence. Drivers will also see their insurance premiums rocket, and some are also likely to encounter difficulties with finding a provider who is prepared to insure them with a drink driving conviction.

"Even drinking within the legal limit is unadvisable, as any alcohol consumed can impact reaction times, and can also impair coordination and judgement potentially making you a danger on the roads. It is also important to remember that each person reacts to alcohol differently - gender, age, weight, and metabolism are also factors which come into play. Anyone planning on driving over the festive period should stick to the soft drinks to ensure maximum safety on the roads."


Motor insurance premiums, with and without a drink driving conviction:



Insurer /  5 Yr NCD - 0 Convictions / 5 Yr NCD - DR10 / Difference in Premium

Hastings Direct / £335.37 / £807.72 / £472.35

Endsleigh £387.57 / £909.43 / £521.86

The AA £391.16 / £731.40 / £340.24

City Insurance Group £407.11 / £690.76 / £283.65

Direct Choice £414.48 / £658.76 / £244.28

Thames City Insurance £415.45 / £928.62 / £513.17

Premium Choice £422.51 / £943.40 / £520.89

The Policy Shop £426.19 / £670.41 / £244.22

Sureterm Direct £429.23 / £897.36 / £468.13

Rescuemycar.com £430.00 / £957.94 / £527.94

MCE Insurance £435.59 / £833.44 / £397.85

1st Central £436.92 / £601.18 / £164.26

Performance Direct £439.52 / £607.55 / £168.03

Swinton £439.60 / £881.67 / £442.07

quotelinedirect £439.64 / £723.44 / £283.80

Motor Insurance Warehouse £441.97 / £761.01 / £319.04

MyMotorQuote £453.95 / £731.72 / £277.77

Kwik-Fit Insurance £454.97 / £777.97 / £323.00

Halifax £461.49 / £800.56 / £339.07

Average £424.35 /  £784.97 / £360.61