10 ways you could end up INVALIDATING your car insurance

Car insurance is a legal requirement designed to keep you and other drivers protected from any financial loss. Swinton Insurance have emphasised the importance of knowing what your policy covers. Providing false information could lead to refusal of a claim and having your policy cancelled.

To steer clear of any future insurance claim mishaps, take a look at the following car insurance invalidation causes they advise that you ought to avoid.

10 causes of car insurance invalidation to consider:

Lying about your primary address — Misrepresenting where your car is normally kept means insurers don't have accurate information about risks in your area, which can invalidate your policy if it comes to light.

Not informing your insurer about any car modifications — Many insurers have specialist policies for modified cars because of the complexity of repairs, and some insurers don’t cover modifications at all.

Not informing your insurance company of minor accidents — Even if you don’t intend to claim, you must tell your insurer of any and all accidents you’re involved in. Failure to do so can invalidate your policy.

Young first-time drivers using a low-risk driver such a parent or partner to be the main policy driver and adding themself as a named driver to keep insurance costs down — This is known as ‘fronting’ and it’s illegal. If you’re found to misrepresent the main driver of your car, you could even end up in court.

Driving with pets - If you crash with an unsecured pet in the car, your insurance company will likely refuse to pay for your claim because doing so is illegal and can distract you while driving.

Recently changing jobs — Your profession is a factor insurers use to assess risk before providing you with a policy. Failing to update your insurer about a recent career change could mean you’re unable to claim.

Wearing high heels or flip flops while driving — Non-standard footwear can impede your ability to drive, which means you’re more likely to be seen as at fault in the case of an accident.

Leaving your car unlocked — Most car insurance policies exclude theft of an unlocked car or one with the keys left inside.

Attaching fluffy dice, or another object, to the rear-view mirror — Windscreen accessories can impair your vision and therefore affect your ability to drive, so you’re more likely to be at fault in the event of an accident.

Lending your car to a friend or family member — Your insurance policy only covers named drivers. Lending your car to an unnamed driver means you’re breaking the terms of your agreement.