In all honesty, if insurance was near or over £1k to insure my 8L S3, then it's time to sell! It's not a £1k to insure car, infact, since passing my test, I've never paid over £1k for insurance, most was £800 odd for a BMW 318IS Coupe when I was 23, it went upto £1500 the year after, and I swopped it for the S3 I have now which was quicker and £750 to insure F/C.
Regarding the SP30's, I think you will find a high percentage of people have points on their licence, it's very normal, the premium goes up by 20-50 quid only, it's 'bans' and 'drink/dangerous driving' that carries heavy penalties. SP30's and running red lights are nothing in comparison.