Thousands of UK drivers are expected to struggle to get competitive insurance premiums following new laws surrounding the use of mobile phones.
Insurers say as many as 10,000 drivers a year will be pushed into the non standard insurance bracket for being convicted of using a handheld mobile phone while driving
Police are now able to issue both a £60 fine and add three points to a driver's licence if they are found to be breaking the law.
According to the DVLA, since the New Drivers Act 1995 came into force in January 1998, 119,412 drivers had their licences revoked for accumulating six or more points on their licence. Only half of these licences were returned (59,972) to the holders.
Paul O' Gorman, of broker Quoteline Direct, said: "Insurers will be using this as an excuse to push people automatically into the non-standard insurance bracket. Three points on a licence for speeding or jumping a red light has always bumped up premiums slightly but I expect many insurers to take a harsher view of people convicted of this offence.
"The widespread publicity this has received and the increasingly taboo action of using a phone while driving will mean as many as 10,000 drivers a year will be stung by their insurance company. It is important that if you are convicted to seek out an insurance company that specialises in non-standard insurance."
