How to improve your chances of getting insured
Practical steps you can take to make your insurance application stronger, even with a non-standard history.
Updated 9 March 2026 · By CoverAble Team
Start with the right type of broker
The single most impactful thing you can do is approach a broker who specialises in your specific type of non-standard case. A broker who handles modified vehicles will have different underwriter relationships to one who specialises in adverse credit. Going to the wrong specialist — or a generalist broker — reduces your chances significantly before the conversation has even started.
Be completely transparent
Non-disclosure of material facts is the most common reason insurance applications fail or policies are later voided. Disclose everything relevant — convictions, bankruptcy, cancelled policies, claims — even if you are not sure whether it needs to be declared. A specialist broker will tell you what is and is not required. Withholding information to get a lower premium is not worth the risk of having a claim refused.
Provide context, not just facts
Underwriters assess risk, and context changes the risk picture. A drink-driving conviction from eight years ago tells a different story when accompanied by evidence of changed behaviour. A bankruptcy that resulted from a business failure rather than personal financial mismanagement may be viewed differently. A specialist broker can present your case with this context — but only if you provide it.
Gather your documentation in advance
Before approaching a broker, have the following ready where relevant: driving licence details, full claims history, dates of any convictions or penalty points, bankruptcy or IVA paperwork including discharge or completion dates, details of any previous cancelled or voided policies, and your no-claims discount proof if applicable.
A broker who has everything they need at the first conversation can act faster and present a more complete case to underwriters.
Consider paying annually
Monthly payment arrangements for insurance involve a credit agreement, which means a credit check. For applicants with adverse credit histories, this check can result in the monthly option being declined even when annual cover is available. If you can pay annually, it removes this barrier entirely and may also result in a lower overall premium.
Be realistic about the vehicle
If your non-standard circumstances are already making placement difficult, an unusual or high-risk vehicle makes it harder still. If you have flexibility on the vehicle you insure, a standard car in a lower insurance group will give you more options. If the vehicle itself is also non-standard — modified, imported, high-performance — make sure the broker you approach handles both types of risk.
Ask about all available options
Specialist brokers sometimes have access to schemes and arrangements that are not available on the open market. Telematics policies, for example, can help higher-risk drivers demonstrate responsible behaviour over time. Named driver arrangements, agreed value policies, and specialist schemes for particular circumstances may also be available. Ask what options exist rather than assuming the first quote is the only one.
Be patient and persistent
Non-standard insurance placement can take longer than a standard application. Underwriters may ask follow-up questions. Do not be discouraged if the first broker cannot help — different brokers have access to different underwriting panels, and a case that one broker cannot place may be placed successfully by another who has a different panel or scheme.