Why do insurers keep penalty points on record for five years if the DVLA remove them after three?

I just had my renewal quote, when asked if anything had changed I mentioned the removal of three penalty points from my licence last year (after three years). I was told that insurance firms keep the points on record for five years. Is it legal to be penalised for an extra two years? As I understand it, the DVLA removes the points after three years and the record of these points is removed after four years - so why is my insurer keeping a record of them for five years?

Asked on 27 February 2018 by Raymond Foster

Answered by Honest John

These same questions around points being declared for five years occurred with price comparison sites. It may well be a breach of the 2015 Insurance Act because the insurer should only be taking into account what is relevant. I believe it's a breach of the Act, and of FCA regulations. Mentioning Data Protection to the insurer may make things interesting, as you can legally ask for your data to be removed if there is no need for it. It would make for an interesting legal arguement if you no longer have valid points on your license, but they still wish to know.

Tags: insurance data protection act penalty points

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