An announcement by one of the UK's largest insurance providers could lead to a drop in the car insurance premiums of so called 'boy racers'. Swinton has revealed that drivers who have 6 or 9 points on the licence will effectively be treated as having a clean record when applying for car insurance with the provider.
Such a move is likely to see many drivers, who have penalty points, seriously consider moving their car insurance when renewal time comes around. Given how competitive the UK car insurance market has become in recent years it will be only a matter of time before other major insurance companies follow suit. This will give yet further options for drivers with penalty points to make a saving on their motor insurance costs.
The reasoning behind the company's decision is based on the growing number of UK drivers who have points on their licence. Some 10million motorists now have their record blemished by penalty points. This increase is mainly due to the growing number of speed cameras present on UK roads. There are currently more than 6,000 speed cameras in active use.
As penalty points become more widespread their contribution to identifying dangerous motorists diminishes. With speed cameras trapping some 2million drivers each year it is becoming less practical for an insurance provider to use penalty points when judging the risk in providing a driver with car insurance.
This move has opened the door for motorists to be assessed more as individuals and avoid the routine increase in their car insurance premiums that result from acquiring penalty points.
Should other insurance companies go down the same route there could be a real chance for many drivers to make a saving on their car insurance. One of the best ways for motorists to take advantages of any savings is to search for cheap car insurance online. Comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies increases the chance of finding a lower premium and making a meaningful saving on your car insurance.