Six things that could invalidate your car insurance
Car insurance is one of the biggest outlays for our vehicles for most of us, yet many drivers don’t realise they could be invalidating their insurance by doing these everyday things:
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Registering the wrong address
Your postcode affects the premium you pay, so you might have considered using a friend or relative’s address in the past to save a few pounds. Pretending your car is kept at your parents’ suburban address on their driveway when you are actually parking on a dark street near your urban flat is a bad idea. What you might not have realised is that doing this invalidates your insurance and could leave you without cover.
Not declaring your commute
If you are not completely truthful when completing your policy application, you will invalidate your cover. Don’t pretend you use your car less than you actually do and be honest if you use it as part of your daily commute.
Modifying your car
If you update your vehicle in any way, you should check with your insurer that it doesn’t affect your policy. This includes major changes such as new engines, but also smaller upgrades. If you have a good motor trade insurance policy from a reputable company such as https://www.quotemetoday.co.uk/motor-trade-insurance, your insurer will be able to tell you whether your modifications affect your policy.
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Not claiming for accidents
Even minor accidents and bumps should be declared, no matter how trivial they seem at the time. Don’t be tempted to fix the damage yourself without declaring it. As Which? explains, you do not have to make a claim on your insurance policy for a minor scrape but you still have to inform your insurance provider about what has happened.
Naming the wrong driver
Don’t be tempted to name the main driver as simply a ‘named driver’ on your policy in an attempt to reduce your premiums. This is classed as insurance fraud and is a serious offence.
Understating your mileage
Don’t pretend you will be driving less than you will. If your circumstances change and you realise you will be diving more miles than when you took out the policy, let your insurer know; for example, if you start a new job with a lengthy commute or one that entails lots of travel, don’t make the mistake of thinking it doesn’t matter.