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!).
Whether you're selling your car privately, part-exchanging it at a dealership, or preparing to return a lease vehicle, the way your car looks plays a huge role in how much it’s worth.
Even the most careful drivers pick up small bits of cosmetic damage over time, whether it’s a scuff in a supermarket car park, a kerbed alloy on a tight corner, or a stone chip from the motorway.
SMART repairs (Small-to-Medium Area Repair Technologies) are an incredibly popular way to fix minor cosmetic damage quickly and cost-effectively. However, not all SMART repairs are equal.
As we welcome the new year, many of us are thinking about fresh starts. For your vehicle, that can mean finally dealing with the small knocks and cosmetic damage that have built up over time.
At CARS, we’re always looking for ways to enhance our services with advanced solutions for our customers.
We would like to extend a huge well done to Callum for achieving his Technical Paint Training with the Volkswagen Group.
We would like to say an immense thank you to everyone that joined us for our Grand Opening Event on Saturday 30th August.
We would like to extend a huge well done to Paul for achieving his High Voltage Technician qualification with the Volkswagen Group.
We have some exciting news to share!
Understand young driver excess and how it impacts your car insurance premiums. CARS of Grimsby offers expert advice to help new drivers make informed choices.
