Nowadays, getting a comprehensive insurance policy is just part and parcel of vehicle ownership.
Annoying and expensive though it might be, we wouldn’t be without it. But did you know that many policies have loopholes that could mean you won’t get a payout? Every years, tens of thousands of insurance claims are dismissed, and sometimes these loopholes are the cause!
Scarily, many of the things that could invalidate your insurance are pretty regular occurrences that many of us do often.
So we put together a list of reasons that you may be driving without insurance. From understandable admin errors to”acts of God”, there are an astonishing array of circumstances that can lead to drivers inadvertently not being insured.
Even ChooseMyCar’s founder , Nick Zapolski, said he was taken aback by how many simple acts could leave you with no claim. “As someone who works in the motor industry, I thought I had a better knowledge than average on subjects such as these. But I was really surprised by several of the items on our list – many of these I am sure most UK drivers do on a regular basis.
“It’s definitely worth carefully reading your policy to check any loopholes, some of which are fair enough. But there are many on our list – and I am sure beyond that – which are really not obvious and are making it easier for insurance companies to dodge paying out.”
Here’s our list of unusual reasons you might be invalidating your insurance.
Accepting money to give someone a lift
So many of us have given friends or family a lift to the airport or event in exchange for some petrol money – but by doing so you could unwittingly not be insured. Technically, by accepting money for driving someone to a location, you are acting as a taxi, and this is not allowed under most policies. So unless you plan to get yourself a taxi driver’s licence, you’d better stop!
Using a car to deliver something
In the world of Facebook Marketplace and local selling sites, who hasn’t offered to deliver an item someone has bought from you? Especially if it can make you some cash and get something unwanted out the way. But sadly, running this errand can also see your insurance being void, due to not being covered as a “delivery driver”. Best to get them to collect in future.
Driving in extreme weather or a natural disaster
With the recent increase in strange weather, this might be one to catch more of us out. Many policies are invalidated if you choose to drive in storms or other unpredictable events. Though this may seem logical, it might be difficult to avoid if you are already en route. Keep an eye out for storm reports and try to avoid driving if you can – and definitely don’t go storm chasing!
Changing your job
Drivers must inform their insurance companies if they change job – even if it’s due to promotion and you are still with the same company. Different job titles can affect insurance premiums – so if you change title, you might need to change insurer, too. Make sure you let your insurance company know of the change – and who knows, maybe you’ll even get a rebate on your premium.
Not reporting minor incidents
Scraped a bollard or had a minor bump on the road? For many drivers, the decision would be taken not to claim on insurance as it’s not worth it. However, if you don’t let your insurance company know about the incident – regardless of whether or not you plan to claim – you could find your policy is invalidated. Always report incidents to your insurer, or you might find it’s not there when you really need it.
Going over your estimated mileage
Obviously it’s difficult to know exactly how many miles you’re likely to wrack up in a year, but once you’re over that number you could be driving without insurance. The lower the mileage, the lower the premium, so insurers can leap on any excess mileage as a reason to dismiss your claim.
Not securing your pets before travel
While we love to see a dog’s head out a window on the road – it’s actually a criminal offence to have an unsecured pet in your car, which can see you receive a fine of £5,000. Not only this, but many policies will not pay out if you have an unsecured pet in your vehicle. Invest in a dog seat belt or guard if they’re in the boot, and smaller animals such as cats should be safely enclosed in a pet carrier.
Not parking on drive or in garage if you have specified that’s where you park
If you’ve stated during your premium quote that you park on your drive or in a garage, then that’s where you must park. Failure to do so can see your insurance policy not paying out in the result of theft or damage to your car. It’s also important not to lie about where you park your car overnight, as if discovered this will also invalidate your insurance.
Valet parking
Heading to a swanky hotel or event and they offer valet parking? Most wouldn’t think twice about accepting, but for many insurance policies, this will mean your car isn’t insured. Maybe park your own car next time!
Using your car to commute
While it’s perfectly OK to use your car to get to work, it just be stated in your policy that this is allowed use. If you have selected social and leisure use for your car, but then drive it to work, you’ll be driving without insurance.
Driving in flip flops
Summer weather is finally arriving and we’re cracking out the summer footwear! However, be cautious when driving in flip flops or sandals, as many are deemed “inappropriate footwear” and can see your policy rendered pointless. Flip flops in particular can be quite dangerous to drive in, so best to keep a trusty pair of suitable shoes in your vehicle.
Decorations on your rear view mirror
Novelty mirror decorations might not be as popular as they once were, but who doesn’t secretly love a funky air freshener or fluffy dice? Maybe best not to indulge though, as any “obstructions” such as these can give your insurance company an excuse not to honour your claim.
Entering a race or rally
So OK, this probably isn’t one that many of us have to worry about, but if you are considering entering a race, check with your insurer. Many policies don’t cover for this, or even for going round a race track without it being an actual race. Extra insurance is almost always required.
Modifying your vehicle
While it may be tempting to lower your car, get a louder exhaust, get a vinyl wrap or a banging set of wheels, most mods for your car will change your insurance. So if you don’t report your mos, you’ll find yourself with invalid insurance.
Have you ever had your insurance claim dismissed for a surprising reason? If so, we’d love to hear from you.
