Car Insurance: clean license, but still stung on SP30... WHY???

Edelman

Hi all

For the first time in a few years, I have looked forward to my car insurance quote, as I knew my SP30 speeding fine had expired.
I checked with DVLA this morning and it has indeed GONE.

So I ring my insurance company, and they tell me it doesn't matter - if it was within 5 years, I still get stung.

Has anyone else come across this? Being happy that they now LEGALLY have a clean license, but in the eyes of insurance companies, who make up their own rules, I am NOT happy.

Help - or advice please.
And yes, I've written to my MP as it shouts of corruption.

kingstreet

This is completely normal.

Points count for totting for three years. They are removed from a licence after four years and if your insurer asks for convictions over five years, you're bound by the principle of utmost good faith to declare them. This is because under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, anything which carries a fine become "spent" after five years, so the insurer is entitled to ask and to use the information to price cover accordingly until then.

What's the premium difference? In my experience, a single SP30, especially one over four years old shouldn't make that much difference.

dunstonh

And yes, I've written to my MP as it shouts of corruption.

How?

If the insurer asks if you have had any in the last 5 years then the question is simple and is a factual answer. If you dont like that then use an insurer that only asks for 3 years.

Edelman

My license is CLEAN.
It should not be stung after it becomes clean. Simple!

kingstreet

Edelman wrote: »

My license is CLEAN.
It should not be stung after it becomes clean. Simple!

What was the date of the offence? The DVLA definition of clean isn't necessarily the correct one.

Edelman

Sorry I can't remember. 2008 I think.
But technically and legally if the Police or an employer asks: I have a clean license.

Hence, should NOT be stung on my insurance. This is why I say it is corrupt, as they are extra (small or large amount) money from me, and they shouldn't be, as I have a clean license.

kingstreet

Regardless of the DVLA definition of a "clean" licence, which is likely to be four years, the point where an offence can be removed from a licence, you were convicted of an offence for which you received a fine.

Because of this, the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act apply and anyone with reason to do so can ask for details of the offence and can take it into account for issues such as employment or insurance.

Once the fifth anniversary is reached, the insurer may still ask (in practice they don't do so) but is unable to use this information in pricing differently.

You don't seem to like this answer, so I'll leave you to continue to feel aggrieved. No offence intended.

Lovelyjoolz

Edelman wrote: »

My license is CLEAN.
It should not be stung after it becomes clean. Simple!

I really don't think you understand how this works. Your insurer chooses to take offenses up to 5 years old into account when pricing. If you dont like it, move to another insurer!

It makes no difference if your licence is 'clean' or not. That is your insurers terms of business, if you don't like it, go elsewhere. Simples.

Edelman

Sorry I don't understand any of that.
What's a "rehabilitation" got to do with being nicked for doing a few mph over the limit?

After 4 years, as the Government sets (I believe?), the DVLA sets my license as "clean".

Being clean means you can tell anyone you have a clean license - EXCEPT INSURANCE COMPANIES, so it seems!

They set their own rules, for no good reason, specially down to speeding.

I've said all I need to. It just is completely wrong and inappropriate to charge me any extra money for an SP30, when that SP30 is GONE/REMOVED.

Edelman

Lovelyjoolz wrote: »

I really don't think you understand how this works. Your insurer chooses to take offenses up to 5 years old into account when pricing. If you dont like it, move to another insurer!

It makes no difference if your licence is 'clean' or not. That is your insurers terms of business, if you don't like it, go elsewhere. Simples.

I'm sure, and I hope someone here can support and deny it, but isn't what the DVLA do, and state, a Law in itself given by the government?

So them saying my license is clean, does that not mean I am clean? If it does, how can a company charge me extra for something that "expired"?

FlameCloud

Edelman wrote: »

I'm sure, and I hope someone here can support and deny it, but isn't what the DVLA do, and state, a Law in itself given by the government?

So them saying my license is clean, does that not mean I am clean? If it does, how can a company charge me extra for something that "expired"?

It hasnt expired though, as Kingstreet says the conviction is not spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders act until 5 years has passed.