Don’t blow your cover

NOT INVALIDATING CAR INSURANCE

TAKING out car insurance is not enough on its own, you also have to comply with your policy’s terms and conditions if you want to make a successful claim following an accident, theft or other incident.

It is all too easy to invalidate cover by failing to keep your insurer informed, and potentially lose thousands of pounds. In some cases, you could end up in court.

Mark Coffey, director of trading at Swinton Insurance, said a simple oversight such as neglecting to tell your insurer you have changed job could prove costly: “Insurers use your profession to assess risk when setting premiums, and failing to update them about a recent career change could leave you unable to claim.”

You should also inform your insurance company if you have been in an accident, even if you do not intend to claim on your policy.

Also, tell them if you have modified your car. “Many insurers have specialist policies for modified cars because of the complexity of repairs, while some don’t cover modifications at all,” Coffey said.

Your insurance company may increase your premiums if you have, say, bought alloy wheels, reupholstered seats, upgraded the exhaust or had a custom paint job or bodywork.

Never leave your car unlocked, especially with the keys inside, as policies

IT’S IN THE DETAILS: Keep the insurer informed so you can claim if you need to

will exclude any subsequent claim for theft as you will have failed in your duty of care to the vehicle.

This mistake is more common in chilly winter weather, as motorists switch on the ignition then nip back inside the house, while waiting for the car to warm up.

Pet lovers should make sure their furry friends are properly secured when driving. Coffey added: “Failing to secure a pet is illegal as it can distract your attention.”

High heels or flip flops can impede your ability to drive, making it more likely that you are at fault in the case of an accident.

Attaching fluffy dice to the rear-view mirror is out of fashion and rightly so, as insurers believe they can impair your vision and increase accident risks.

Your insurance policy only covers named drivers, so lending your motor to

somebody who is not listed is breaking the terms of your agreement, Coffey added.

Salman Haqqi, personal finance expert at Money.co.uk, said parents may be tempted to name themselves as the main driver on a child’s policy, as this can save up to £476 a year. “This is known as ‘fronting’, which is illegal and could invalidate your insurance,” he warned.

It can also bring substantial fines, up to six points on your licence and a potential driving ban.the main driver is the person who spends most time in the car.

Gocompare chief executive Lee Griffin said keep your insurer up to speed about driving convictions, address changes, annual mileage, where your car is parked at night and whether you use it for business purposes, including deliveries.

“If in doubt, contact your insurer,” he said.