Swinton, a leading high street insurance provider in the UK is stating that drivers could be unwittingly invalidating their car insurance.
With so many factors affecting a person’s car insurance, it is imperative to ensure a policyholder offers the full facts to the insurance provider.
Failure to disclose some seemingly insignificant piece of information at the time could result in an insurer deciding that you have broken the terms of your policy and withdraw cover, or even more worryingly refuse to indemnify you when you try to make a claim.
YouGov found that as many as 10% of motorists could have invalid policies. 6% even admitted to deliberately misleading insurers about their age and address, while 3% admitted to withholding information about past driving convictions.
Steve Chelton, Insurer Development Manager, for Swinton said:
”It is very important that UK drivers are aware of the terms and conditions of their policy so they are not unconsciously invalidating it. The last thing a motorist wants to do is pay annual premiums only to find their policy is void when the time comes to make a claim.”
Some of the more common bits of information that are not disclosed are:-
- Failure to mention past driving convictions or accidents.
- Failing to inform your insurer of a change of job.
- Any changes in your health that may affect your ability to drive such as deterioration in your vision. It is not your decision whether it will affect your insurance policy – inform your insurer immediately.
- Failing to disclose modifications to your car.
- Failing to inform your insurer where the vehicle is to be used and what for. Using your car in connection with your work as an example is going to affect your premiums as would using the car daily in London rather than in a rural area somewhere else in the country.
Let your insurer decide whether the information is relevant or not or you may regret it in the event of a claim