Car insurance with a criminal record

Insurers who will cover those with a criminal record

We got quotes from 54 different car insurers in Australia. When asked questions about criminal activity or if we'd ever had a criminal conviction, we answered yes. Some providers asked for additional details, mainly if the charge was related to: fraud, theft, burglary, drugs, arson, or criminal, malicious, or wilful damage. If the answer to this was no, you could move to the next part of the quote questionnaire and potentially get a car insurance policy. Read mroe about that further down the page.

If the answer was yes, only the below 7 returned a quote.

In some instances, we would answer "yes" to criminal conviction questions and then the provider would end the online quote and refer us to a customer support agent over the phone.

This was done because they wanted to gather more information about our history before they decide if they'll offer cover or not.

So with this in mind, it's possible you may be able to get cover from the following providers, following a phone call to discuss your history.

Type of criminal conviction and getting car insurance

The type of charge you have plays a big role in whether you'll be able to get insurance or not. A lot of car insurers ask criminal conviction questions specifically in relation to: arson, theft, fraud, burglary, drugs, or criminal, malicious or wilful damage and driving under the influence. If your criminal conviction isn't related to these, then you can often move onto the next part of the quote. Other times, they'll ask you to specify the details and then your application will be assessed.

How difficult it is for you to get cover will really depend on the type of criminal conviction you hold.

A DUI is one of the most common criminal offences drivers can be charged with. DUI laws apply in every Australian state and territory and can lead to a criminal conviction.

Unlike some drink-driving offences that are based purely on blood alcohol concentration (BAC), a DUI can be charged if police believe the driver is visibly affected by alcohol or drugs, even without a specific BAC reading.

Police may rely on observations such as erratic driving, slurred speech or failing roadside sobriety tests to determine impairment.

Penalties for a DUI vary by state and whether it's a first or repeat offence, but they are generally severe. Possible penalties include:

• Fines of several thousand dollars
• Licence disqualification, often for at least 12 months
• Mandatory alcohol interlock programs that require breath tests before starting the car
• Imprisonment, with maximum jail terms of up to 18 months for a first offence in some states
• A criminal conviction on your record

Questions an insurer may ask about criminal offences

To give you the best guidance around how to navigate potential questions from an insurer regarding your criminal offence, we’ve compiled a list of common questions and how to answer them correctly and honestly:

Car insurance premiums for those with a criminal record

Unfortunately, if you are able to get car insurance, your premium is likely to be expensive. The insurer does this because they see you as a risky driver and therefore are charging you more to cover the cost of them taking on that risk when they give you a policy.

Car insurance and past criminal convictions

If your criminal conviction is more than 3 or 5 years old, you may find it easier to get car insurance. A lot of insurers will ask about criminal convictions that have occurred in the last 3 years, or some ask about the last 5 years. If your charge is older than the time period they're asking about, you can breeze through these questions.

If your criminal conviction is recent (within the last 2 or 3 years) then unfortunately, there's not much you can do about your car insurance woes. Insurers will likely decline you until more time has passed and those who do give you a policy might do so at a high price.

FAQs

• Can you get car insurance with a criminal conviction?

  Sometimes. It depends on what your criminal charge is for, how recent the charge is and if the insurer asks questions about your criminal record.

• Do insurance companies check criminal records?

  We haven't been able to find any information to confirm or deny this. Regardless, the best way to not get caught is to just be truthful from the beginning. You have to be honest when filling out your car insurance application.

• How does a DUI affect car insurance?

  A DUI can significantly affect your car insurance because insurers view drivers with serious traffic offences as higher risk. You may face higher premiums, fewer insurers willing to cover you or additional restrictions on your policy.

Written by

Peta Taylor

Publisher of Insurance

Peta Taylor is a publisher at Finder, working across all of insurance. She's been analysing product disclosure statements and publishing articles for over 2 years. Peta is passionate about demystifying complex insurance products to help users make well educated decisions with confidence. Peta is part of Finder's insurance awards team and works alongside editorial and insights experts to bring users the best insurance products every year. See full bio