Watch out! These 8 common mistakes could invalidate your car insurance

Car insurance isn’t just a legal obligation – it’s your financial safety net on the road. It covers the costs if your car gets damaged, stolen or if you're in an accident, as well as the costs of injury or damage you could cause to other people or their property.

But if you haven’t scrutinised the small print, you might be unaware of the surprising terms and conditions that could leave you unable to claim a penny. These unexpected rules could render your car insurance policy invalid, and in some cases, you could even face a hefty fine.

Here are some of the lesser-known ways that you could invalidate your car insurance and how to avoid them.

1) Not restraining your pet

If you’ve got a well-behaved dog, you might feel like letting them roam freely in the boot or sit sensibly in the back is safe enough. But if you were to get into an accident and your pet was unrestrained at the time, your insurer could reject any claims you make. This is because they may perceive your pet as a distraction. 

The solution is simple – pick up a dog seatbelt or seat belt harness and use it for every journey. The same rule applies to other animals, too. If you’re travelling with your cat, for example, they’ll either need to be in a carrier or wear a seatbelt harness.

2) Charging your mates for lifts

Petrol isn’t cheap these days, so asking your mates for a fiver in return for a lift seems like a fair deal. The problem? Often, insurers don’t permit drivers to accept cash for lifts, especially if you receive a payment that’s in excess of the fuel costs and are therefore profiting.

It’s better to be safe than sorry, so if you plan to give friends or family a lift in return for payment, give your insurer a quick ring first to check their regulations.

3) Listing someone else as the named driver

A named driver is the person who is insured to drive a car in which another person does most of the driving. But people are often tempted to list a family member or friend (usually an older, more experienced driver) as the main driver, but themselves (typically a younger, more inexperienced driver) as the named driver in order to get a cheaper rate – even if the main driver won’t use the car at all.

In the industry, this is known as fronting, and it’s a type of fraud. Not only could this invalidate your policy, but your insurer is likely to refuse to pay for any damage to a car in the event of an accident and it could even lead to prosecution.

4) Having a dirty windscreen

Windscreen covered in dust, mud or ice? Failing to fully clear it up before you set off could invalidate your car insurance in the event of an accident, as you may not be able to identify hazards on the road. Plus, if you’re stopped by a police officer due to your lack of visibility, they could issue you an on-the-spot fine.

Make sure to keep your windscreen clear at all times. Keeping an alcohol-based glass or windscreen cleaner in the car can be handy. In the winter, covering your windscreen with a windscreen cover – if you don’t have one, try an old blanket – can help to prevent frost from forming overnight.

5) Wearing flip-flops or sliders

The Highway Code states that drivers should make sure that 'clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner'. 

But we’ve all been there: you’re in a rush, or only need to drive a few minutes, so quickly grab sliders or flip-flops to drive in. While this is not technically illegal, it could put you at a bigger risk of having an accident and, due to breaking the Highway Code, your insurer could refuse to pay out.

If you often find yourself needing to head to the car in a rush, consider buying a cheap pair of secure, slip-on trainers or shoes. They might not be the most stylish, but they’re a lot safer.

6) Registering the wrong address

Where you live can have a major impact on the annual cost of your car insurance. Urban areas and major cities, for example, are often more expensive because there are more cars on the road, which means a greater chance of an accident.

This means you might be tempted to register the wrong address – at your parent’s, for example – if it makes for a cheaper car insurance quote. But if your insurer finds out, they’re likely to invalidate your policy and reject any claim you make.

7) Modifying your car (and not telling your insurer)

Modifying your car – including engine, mechanical and bodywork alterations, fitting alloys, tinting your windows, specialist paint jobs and even installing a sat nav – can increase your insurance premiums. This is due to the fact that car improvements can increase the likelihood of theft, whilst certain modifications can increase your chances of having an accident.

If you make modifications but don’t let your insurer know, they could void your policy in the event of a claim. Plus, it could make it more difficult to get cover in the future. To avoid this, speak to your insurer before you make any modifications. Already made them? Give them a call to let them know.

8) Forgetting your morning commute

Many people assume that car insurance will cover you whenever and wherever you are driving, but that’s not the case. If you don’t tell your insurer that you commute to and from work – whether that’s daily, or just a few times per month – they’ll assume you use your car for social use only.

This may bring along lower premiums, but it’ll also mean you’re uninsured every time you commute to work – and as a result, your insurer could refuse to pay out in the event of an accident. The simple fix? Just let your provider know that you commute, and how often.