Do you have to disclose speeding conviction WHEN CONVICTED to insurance company?

[Dear_Prudence]

Hi

My son got caught speeding with a lazer gun in September 2008 in a hired car (he didn't have his own insurance at this point). He did not hear from the police about this 'stop' until March 2009, when the court papers came through.

Meanwhile he took out comprehensive van insurance November 2008.

In May 2009 he received 6 points (SP30) and a £150 fine.

In August 2009 he reversed in to someone that had parked tight against his bumper (no internal rear view mirror).

The insurance company have written back stating that we see you have a SP30 can you comment on this?

MY QUESTION

Do you have to inform the insurance company after you have been to court and received penalty points?

I thought your declaration at the time of taking out insurance was for the forthcoming year, and the premium is based on the information you provide at the time - not that might happen in the future.

Could someone please clarify this point before we reply to the insurance company.

Many thanks.

Stephen

[ummmm]

You have to inform them of any motoring convictions asap.

[smudge]

I would have thought it obligatory to inform the insurance company/brokers of any speeding fines/points, etc. If he didn't & he was in another accident, his insurance cover could become void.

[Skyline D]

It is absolutely obligatory to inform your insurance company of any motoring convictions as soon as you learn of them. I have no doubt whatsoever that it is in the small print of your son's policy. They have the right to adjust the premium accordinly as a result of a change in your risk profile. Usually a single offence unless especially serious (or a new driver) will have no effect but they still need to be told. Subsequent offences are likely to add to the cost of the premium.

Not having informed them means they can refuse the claim on the basis of non-disclosure of material facts. All you can do since they clearly now know of it is plead ignorance and hope they don't do so.

I've had two speeding convictions both on a motorway, one in 2005 and one in 2008. I reported both to my insurers straight away. The former had no effect at all, the second cost me an extra £20 or so I think. It also cost my wife an extra £10 as I'm a named driver on her policy. In dicussions with friends and colleagues after the event I was absolutely astounded to discover a large percentage had no concept that they were meant to inform their insurance company of convictions.

[woozer]

There was a time when you could wait until next renewal to report changes to your insurer - but those days are long long gone and 99.9% of insurers now require to be advised as soon as the conviction arises.