If you are caught driving a vehicle you are not insured to drive you could receive a fixed penalty of £300 and six penalty points.
Once you have car insurance, it is critical you don't invalidate your cover, whether that’s unintentionally or otherwise.
The law says if you deliberately or carelessly withhold information or mislead your insurers, they can hold your policy invalid.
If the case goes to court you could get an unlimited fine and be disqualified from driving.
Below are 10 ways you could be invalidating your car insurance without even realising. If after reading this list you realise you need to change your insurance in anyway, you should contact your insurer immediately.
1. Change of address
When setting your car insurance premium, insurers take your postcode into account.
By failing to notify your insurance company of your change of address, you are leaving yourself with an invalid policy
When you move to a new house your insurance premium may change. So you must tell your insurer immediately to ensure your car insurance remains valid.
2. Getting a new job
Always remember to inform your insurer when you get a new job. Occupation are among factors considered when setting your premium. Failing to do this could leave you uninsured.
3. Where you park your car
Parking on the street outside your home might sound harmless enough, but if you’ve stated that you leave your car in a garage, driveway or private car park, leaving it on the road might invalidate your cover.
There is a difference in insurance premiums if you use off-street parking compared to parking on a street. If you tell your insurer that your car is parked off-street when it’s not, if it is broken into your claim would not be valid.
4. Lying about what the car is used for
Insurers will ask how you use your car whether it’s for social, social and commuting or business use.
Not telling the whole truth about what your car is used for will leave you without car insurance.
5. Underestimating the mileage
As annual mileage is one of the main factors used to calculate your insurance premium, you must state the correct number of miles.
If your mileage is higher than your estimate then this will put your policy at risk. There are mileage calculators online which you can use to help you estimate the number of miles you drive.
6. Having an obstructed windscreen
If your windscreen is obstructed in any way and you’re involved in an accident your insurance claim could be void.
Whether it's due to frost, dirt or too many air fresheners hanging from your rear-view mirror.
7. Fronting
Fronting is when someone lists themselves as the main driver on a car that belongs to a younger driver, who is named as the secondary driver.
Yet in reality, it is the younger person that mainly drives the car. Not only could this invalidate your insurance, but it could also land you with a substantial fine and six points on your licence.
8. Not telling your insurer about accidents
You must let your insurer know about any accidents your car is involved in, no matter how big or small.
If you decline to do so and a third party reports the incident to their insurer it would leave your insurance company in an awkward position.
Also if there is previous damage to your car from an incident you have not told your insurer about, any future claims to your insurer could be discredited by this.
9. Making a profit from charging people for lifts
Making a profit from charging people for lifts could put your car insurance at risk.
However, if you are just accepting petrol money, which does not result in any money as profit, then this is not considered illegal and will not change your insurance.
10. Modifying your car
If you plan on modifying your car, contact your insurer beforehand so they can tell you how much your policy will increase.
Modifying your car can increase insurance policies for multiple reasons.
Bodywork and non-standard engines are more expensive to replace and repair. In addition to this, some modifications can increase the risk of your car being a victim of theft.
