Having nine penalty points on your licence has less of an effect on insurance costs than having no no claims discount, according to a new study.
According to research into insurance costs, being a single offence away from a ban is 10 per cent cheaper than having zero NCD and even if you have some discount, you could still be worse off than repeat offenders.
The study of insurance data by Vantage Leasing found that motorists with six points would still pay less on average than those with three years’ or fewer NCD.
It comes after government data revealed that more than 10,000 drivers continue to hold a licence despite having 12 or more penalty points.
Common myths
The Vantage study created typical driver profiles and then tracked what difference various factors had on insurance premiums.
As well as the shocking revelation about penalty points, it found that parking in a locked garage offers no insurance benefits, and is actually 10 per cent more expensive than if you park on the street.
Vantage’s managing director, Rob Walker, suggested the rise in relay thefts, which need the car to be close to the house, may have had an effect on premiums.
He said: “The research is eye-opening, dispelling common myths including that penalty points could spell disaster when it comes to insurance costs. We also see how the latest trends in car crime such as keyless theft can impact how insurers view risk – hence why parking on the road at night is often cheaper.
“While the research shows what a typical male or female driver can expect, it doesn’t cover every eventuality, and some may find their circumstances produce different results. It does, however, provide some intriguing insights into the ever-evolving nature of vehicle insurance.”
Cheapest car to insure
The research found that for an average driver, the Skoda Fabia was the cheapest car to insure. The Czech supermini cost an average of £413.67 for a 75PS SE model, with the 1.0-litre Nissan Micra Tekna (£417.25) and Seat Mii 1.0 S (£459.03) completing the top three.
10 cheapest cars to insure
Car Average quote 1 ŠKODA Fabia Petrol 1.0 manual 5dr SE MPI 75 £413.67 2 Nissan Micra 2019 1.0L Manual 5dr VISIA £417.25 3 SEAT Mii S 1.0 Manual 3dr S (60) £459.03 4 Skoda Citigo Petrol 1.0L Manual 3dr S (60) £464.94 5 VW UP Petrol 1.0L Manual 3dr TAKE UP! 60 £473.37 6 Chevrolet Spark 1.0L annual 5dr LS £489.41 7 Kia Rio 1.2L Manual 5dr 2 £491.19 8 Smart FORFOUR PURE Petrol 1.0L £512.14 9 Ford Ka+ 1.2L Manual 5dr STUDIO TI-VCT 70 £523.01 10 Hyundai I10 1.0 manual 5dr S £567.65
It also examined the most common occupations in the country to see how insurance costs vary. Of the 10 most common jobs list by the Office for National Statistics, a computer programmer is likely to get the best deal on insurance, with an average premium of £553.37. Catering staff pay the most, at an average of £659.27.
