Careless drivers face greatly increased car insurance premiums because of their misdemeanours, new research shows.
A study by car insurance comparison website confused.com reveals that those with penalty points on their licence will pay up to 60 per cent more for their policy than people with a clean licence.
This equates to an average of £370 a year extra on their car insurance policy, the firm reveals.
Carlton Hood, chief executive of the company, warned that points gained up to five years ago are still taken into account by some car insurance providers .
He said: "Motorists are often asked by insurance companies whether they have received points in the last five years.
"If the answer is yes, insurance premiums remain high long after the points have expired."
The incentive of cheaper car insurance should add to the list of reasons to drive safely, he added.
Yesterday, Zena James, head of PR at Insurancewide.com, warned people not to try and cut their car insurance premiums by lying about their driving history.




