If life takes you down a different road, make sure your car insurer is one of the first to know.
You’ve bought the rings, ordered the cake and posted the invitations. If getting married means a new address or name, add updating your car insurance to your to-do list.
If you don’t tell your insurer about any changes, having information that’s not correct on your policy could impact any settlement if you need to claim.
Here’s what you need to know about keeping your policy current when life, or your vehicle, changes.
When should you inform your car insurer of any changes to your policy information?
You should tell them as soon as possible. If you don’t, you’re at risk of invalidating your insurance. It’s your responsibility to keep your information up to date and this responsibility is normally explained in your policy’s terms and conditions.
What changes will your car insurer want to know about?
Tell your insurer if your personal information changes, such as a name change if you get married.
Letting them know if you move home is also important. Premiums take into account where you live, and certain postcodes are considered more high-risk than others. If you move from a sleepy village to a city centre and swap a secure garage or drive for on-street parking, you can expect your premium to rise.
If you receive a motoring conviction, are disqualified or have an accident (even if you weren’t at fault and aren’t planning to submit a claim) tell your insurer.
Should you tell your insurer if you’re planning to modify your vehicle?
Yes. Inform your insurer of any car modifications – either cosmetic alterations like a respray or work to boost the vehicle’s performance – before they are carried out. Do the same if you change your registration plate or the car’s primary use. Also, get in touch if you’re looking to amend your annual mileage.
It may seem obvious, but don’t forget to update your insurer if you sell your vehicle and are no longer the registered keeper.
Will changes to your car insurance always increase your premium?
This depends on what the changes are. Even if the changes you make don’t increase or decrease your premium, you still need to tell your insurer about them so they can make sure your cover is correct.
Other factors that impact your car insurance premiums
Your policy price is influenced by a number of things, such as where you live and where you keep the car. Meanwhile, the age and occupation of the drivers, their experience and past claims, what that car is used for and the number of miles it’s driven each year also affects how your premium is calculated.
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