Your criminal record can impact your ability to get car insurance. Depending on the situation, it might make it more expensive or more restrictive. In some cases, you might not be able to get cover at all.
We requested quotes from 11 car insurance brands and found seven would offer cover to our hypothetical driver previously charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.
| Provider | Cover offered | Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Direct | ✅ | $2,008.28 |
| Qantas Comprehensive | ❌ | ❌ |
| Australia Post | ✅ | $2,407.86 |
| QBE | ✅ | $3,414.30 |
| Coles | ✅ | $1,876.76 |
| Kogan | ✅ | $2,962.89 |
| Woolworths | ❌ | ❌ |
| ahm | ❌ | ❌ |
| NRMA | ✅ | $1,983.31 |
| AAMI | ✅ | $2,247.99 |
| Bingle | ❌ | ❌ |
These quotes were retrieved in August 2023, using the details of a 30-year-old man who had been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in January 2023 and his license suspended for three months. The car was a 2018 Toyota Corolla.
This depends on the nature of your criminal conviction and when the incident took place.
We requested quotes from 11 car insurance brands and found only two would offer cover to our hypothetical driver with a previous conviction for bodily harm.
| Provider | Cover offered | Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Direct | ❌ | ❌ |
| Qantas Comprehensive | ❌ | ❌ |
| Australia Post | ❌ | ❌ |
| QBE | ❌ | ❌ |
| Coles | ✅ | $1,876.76 |
| Kogan | ❌ | ❌ |
| Woolworths | ❌ | ❌ |
| ahm | ❌ | ❌ |
| NRMA | ✅ | $1,983.31 |
| AAMI | ❌ | ❌ |
| Bingle | ❌ | ❌ |
These quotes were retrieved in August 2023, using the details of a 30-year-old man who had been charged with bodily harm in January 2023. The car was a 2018 Toyota Corolla.
Of the providers researched, we found the following brands were the most likely to offer coverage to someone with a drink driving or criminal conviction. Remember, we used a specific, hypothetical driver profile. Your own profile will differ, as will your ability to get cover.
The time since your criminal conviction and the nature of your criminal conviction will influence whether you are offered cover or not.
The only way to know 100% that you can or can't get cover is by requesting quotes using your own personal information. Good luck!
All 11 car insurance brands that we contacted asked for information about criminal convictions.
However, this might not rule you out of cover immediately. The decision will depend on the nature of your conviction, when it was committed, and the insurer's particular approach.
Insurers in Australia do not typically have access to your criminal or driving history. However, it's essential to be forthright about one's history when applying for car insurance, as dishonesty can lead to policy termination or denial of a claim. Insurers often have underwriting guidelines which they use to decide whether they would or would not extend cover to a person. It's always in a potential policyholder's best interest to understand their rights and the extent of the information insurance companies can access in their particular jurisdiction. Providing a clear picture ensures that consumers make informed decisions and maintain trust in the insurance process.
Kate Denning
Principal Lawyer, Denning Insurance Law
You have a legal obligation (called the duty of good faith) to be honest with insurance companies. Do not be tempted to lie about your driving or criminal history.
If you do, and you're later found out, your insurance could be deemed void and your cover cancelled.
To check your driving history, you will have to contact the relevant authority in your state.
In NSW - Request a driving record via Service NSW
In QLD - Apply for your traffic history via Department of Transport and Main Roads
In VIC - Apply for your driver history via Service Victoria
In SA - Apply for a driver's licence history report via Service SA
In WA - Apply for a traffic infringement notice record via the WA Police Force
In NT - Apply for a driver licence history from the Motor Vehicle Registry.
In TAS - Apply for the release of licence details via Service Tasmania.
In the ACT - Apply for a licence history search via Access Canberra
Depending on the nature or your conviction and when it happened, you might find some insurance companies won't offer you a policy and those that do might charge more.
In some cases, your criminal record might not impact your ability to get insurance or the cost of a policy. However, in others it can severely limit your options or remove them altogether.
The best way to find out how your criminal record will impact car insurance is by requesting quotes from multiple insurers.
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