Drivers have been warned that splitting petrol with friends could in fact, invalidate their car insurance.
With the current cost of living crisis, people will want to spend their money wisely and with insurance already expensive for some, the last thing people want is to have it invalidated and costing them more more later.
The warning comes after Leasing Options are reminding drivers they need to be careful with what they do with several other common habits also putting your insurance at risk. For example, if you make profit from giving a friend a lift or petrol money, it could put your insurance at risk
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In the UK, it’s illegal to drive a vehicle on a road or in a public place without at least 3rd party insurance. If you are caught driving a vehicle you are not insured to drive, you could receive an on-the-spot penalty of £300 and 6 points on your license. If the case goes to court you could get an unlimited fine and be disqualified from driving.
So what can invalidate your insurance? Here is what drivers should know...
Habits that can invalidate your car insurance
According to Leasing Options, these are 10 ways you could be invalidating your car insurance without even realising
Exchanging money for lifts
Making a profit from giving your friend a lift could put your car insurance at risk. This is because some insurance policies do not permit drivers accepting any sort of payment for a lift due to them perceiving this as your car being used for hire and profit.
The experts say: "Generally, accepting petrol money is acceptable as you are unlikely to make a profit for this."
Inaccurately naming the main driver
Listing another as the main driver on your insurance account, otherwise known as ‘fronting’ is illegal. The experts explain that this ‘Fronting’ is usually done to reduce a younger driver’s insurance premium when a parent or someone older is listed as the main driver but in reality, the younger person is the main owner and driver of the car.
Not only could this invalidate your insurance, hey warn, it could also land you with a substantial fine and six points on your license.
Not updating your address
When setting your car insurance premium, insurers take your postcode into account and assess it based on high risk areas. When you move to a new house, your insurance policy may change because of this so telling your insurer when you’ve changed address is imperative.
Not informing your insurer about a new occupation
Car insurers collect occupation data to predict how likely it is that people in different jobs will make a claim. This is why it’s important to inform your insurer when you get a new job as failing to do so could leave you uninsured.
Where you park your car
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, your insurance won't be able to be claimed on if it's damaged or broken into.
Lying about what the car is used for
Insurers will ask how you use your car whether it’s for social, commuting or business use. Not telling the whole truth about what your car is used for could leave you without car insurance.
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 may put your policy at risk.
Having an obstructed windscreen
If your windscreen is obstructed and you’re involved in an accident, your insurance claim would be void. Whether it's frost, dirt or too many air fresheners hanging from your rear-view mirror, you are responsible for ensuring your car is safe to drive.
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.
Not only that but 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.
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 increases insurance policies for multiple reasons. The experts explain: "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."
Mike Thompson, COO at Leasing Options says, "Many drivers’ circumstances may have changed since they last renewed their car insurance, such as a change of address or jobs. We must remember to update our policies to ensure everything is still accurate.
“Failing to do this could invalidate your policy and leave you in a difficult situation if a reason arises that you need to put in a claim to your insurance provider.
“We recommend motorists check their car insurance policy regularly to make sure it is up to date with their current circumstances before getting behind the wheel again. Or they could be breaking the law by driving a vehicle on a road or in a public place without insurance.”
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