5 ways you could be invalidating your car insurance
Jason Barker • January 30, 2024
With the number of specific terms included in your policy, it’s possible that you could be invalidating your car insurance without really knowing. Here are a few ways you could accidentally invalidate your car insurance:
- Fronting – Incorrectly declaring another driver as the main driver of your vehicle could invalidate your car insurance. For example, this may occur if a young and new driver incorrectly declares a parent as the main driver of their vehicle in an attempt to reduce insurance costs.
- Vehicle modifications – Making changes which impact the way your vehicle looks and performs without declaring them to your insurer could invalidate your insurance, especially if you need to make a claim. We recommend contacting your insurer to estimate the change in premium cost, prior to making any alterations.
- Using your vehicle for business purposes – If you use your vehicle for business purposes, outside of travelling to and from a singular place of work, you could be invalidating your insurance. For example, if you are a mobile hairdresser, or you have a small business on the side which requires an element of travel, you should declare this to your insurer upon purchase of a policy.
- Changing address – Your insurance company will take your address into consideration when agreeing your premium cost. Therefore, if you move home or change address for any reason, it is vital that you inform your insurer as soon as possible. This could either increase or decrease the cost of your insurance, as this is partially dependent on the higher or lower risk of theft in different areas of the country.
- Driving without a valid MOT – Some insurers specify that a valid MOT certificate is a prerequisite to insuring your vehicle. As such, you must ensure that you have a valid MOT at all times and book your vehicle in for its next MOT in good time to avoid going over the deadline.
Our advice is to always be transparent with your insurer, especially when it comes to any previous claims or convictions (they WILL find out!).
Does Buying a Used Car from a Business That Also Carries Out Accident Repairs Mean It Has Been Accident Damaged?
We’re incredibly proud to announce that CARS of Grimsby has been shortlisted in three categories at the Greener Bodyshop Awards 2026
CARS of Grimsby now offers quality used cars and vans for sale, backed by years of trusted vehicle repair experience and customer care.
Here at Select Vehicle Sales by CARS of Grimsby, we pride ourselves on the service received by our customers. Each vehicle we sell meets our quality standards; each customer journey is seamless and stress-free.
Most people buying a used car look at the mileage, service history and overall condition. We look much deeper. Years of repairing accident damaged vehicles has trained our eyes to spot things that many people would never notice. Subtle differences in paint finish, panel gaps, replacement panels, poor welding or signs of previous structural repairs can all reveal a vehicle's past, even when that damage has never appeared on an insurance database or history check.
When you work with vehicles every day, you quickly learn what separates a great used car from a poor one.
For many years, CARS of Grimsby has supported motorists with trusted accident repair and vehicle care services. As a family owned and run business, we have always believed that great service comes down to doing the job to the best of our ability, communicating honestly and treating every customer as an individual. Those values have helped us build strong relationships with motorists, insurers and businesses, and they remain just as important to us today. Now, we are preparing to begin an exciting new chapter. Decades of Accident Repair Experience in Grimsby CARS of Grimsby is best known as an established and multi-award-winning accident repair centre, helping customers get back on the road following everything from minor bumps to more significant damage. That work has given our team a detailed and thorough understanding of vehicles and their condition. When you spend years repairing bodywork, checking panel alignment and assessing previous damage, you learn to notice the details that may not always be obvious at first glance. You also learn how important quality, safety and honesty are to motorists. Our team has developed this knowledge through experience, ongoing training and working with a wide range of vehicles over many years. It is experience we are proud of, and it will remain at the heart of the next chapter of CARS of Grimsby.
Had an accident and not sure what happens next? You’re not alone.
At CARS of Grimsby, our friendly team are on hand to offer honest advice and guidance throughout the insurance claims process. We’ll help you understand your options, and explain what you do (and don’t) have to do after an accident.
In May, the team attended the Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards, organised by the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce. The CARS team was awarded the Forrester Boyd Business Excellence Award.
CARS of Grimsby celebrates three Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards nominations, recognising leadership, business growth and employee success in 2025.
