When you take out car insurance, your insurer will highlight your policy’s key facts and exclusions, so you should check your policy document when you receive it.
After that, your car insurance provides peace of mind that you're covered if anything bad or unexpected happens.
Until such a time, it’s easy to pop your policy to one side and forget about it. But if you make any changes to your car, licence, or even your personal information, address or occupation, you must let your insurer know. Otherwise, there’s a chance you may invalidate your cover.
It’s illegal to drive without valid car insurance. So, to help you stay covered and avoid a nasty surprise, we’ve put together a list of the most common ways drivers invalidate their car insurance.
Modifications
Thinking about adding some alloys, a body kit, or even a new suspension to your car? If so, you’ll need to let your insurer know.
Any changes to your car’s standard specification can affect your premium, whether they’re cosmetic changes or tweaks to improve performance.
If you go ahead without checking with your insurance company first, then you run the risk of invalidating your insurance.
Driving penalties
You must tell your insurer if you, or anyone covered by your policy has committed a driving offence or had any points added to their licence.
The number of points you receive and the number of years they’ll remain on your licence depend on the seriousness of the offence.
Your insurer may ask about points or endorsements you’ve received, even if they’re no longer active on your licence. It’s important to be honest with your insurer about any current or previous points you’ve received, as they may affect your insurance.
Inaccurate information
Having the right information on your insurance policy will help to make sure it stays valid.
Some common errors include:
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Insuring your vehicle in someone else’s name with yourself as a named driver.
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Saying the car is for ‘personal use only’ and then using it for business.
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Not updating your details when you, or anyone covered by the policy, changes jobs.
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Not letting your insurer know if you, or anyone covered by the policy, has passed their driving test.
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Failing to add any new named drivers to your policy before you let them use your car.
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Forgetting to tell your insurer about any change to your address or the address where you usually keep your car.
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Getting a personalised number plate fitted without letting your insurer know.
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Forgetting to tell your insurer about any changes to your car - including if you’ve bought a new one.
Be honest about the main driver and what the car is used for. Otherwise, you could risk invalidating your cover, which means you won’t be able to claim if you have an accident.
Protecting your car
Most car insurance policies will cover you against theft. But if you don’t pay attention to security, it could invalidate your policy.
Leaving your keys or your key fob in your car while you pay for petrol is just one way you could invalidate your cover. Similarly, if your car is stolen after you leave it unlocked or with the window or sunroof open, your insurer could refuse to pay out.
All the precautions you’ll need to take are detailed in your policy documents, so read them carefully to make sure you know.
How to make changes to your policy
It’s easy to keep us informed. Churchill customers can make policy updates including changes to their car, address, number plate and named drivers by signing in to their online account or using the Churchill app.
