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Changes in your insurance policy

How they affect us

Fraud-ian slip! - Innocent Fraud

You may believe you are a law abiding citizen, but should you fail to alert your insurer to changes in your circumstances you may well risk having your insurance declared void. There are many changes which, should you innocently neglect to tell your insurer you may find yourself uninsured in the event of an accident or claim.

One of the most common offences that could, in some cases, result in policies being declared void is failing to mention at renewal any penalty points you may have incurred on your license. Penalty points only remain on your driving license for three years, but many are unaware that you are legally obliged to declare any convictions received in the last five years. Not only is it an offence under the Road Traffic Act to make a false statement or withhold information, but your insurer also has the right to declare your policy void if in the event of a fault or non fault accident should you have failed to declare any points on your license.

Driving convictions are not the only change in circumstance that your insurer should be made aware of. There are a host of other changes that you should inform your insurer of immediately.

• Medical or physical conditions that affect your ability to drive are often overlooked. Some insurers may refuse to insure drivers with certain medical conditions unless the driver has first informed the DVLA, who subsequently give the driver permission to continue driving.
• A change in the use of your van is another important area in terms of keeping your insurer informed. If your van is used for work purposes you will most likely have cover that includes social domestic pleasure and commuting. What many fail to realise is that if your job involves travelling to more than one location you must increase your policy to include business use. This will ensure you are covered on those journeys.
• Modifications to your vehicle must be listed on your policy as this may affect your premium. Any non-standard equipment or modification such as alloy wheels may make your van more attractive to thieves, therefore increasing the level of risk and consequently your premium. Furthermore, if in the event that your vehicle is stolen and you wish to claim for any such modifications - you may not receive the full value of the claim. One of the usual exceptions to the rule is sound systems, although if you are in any doubt it is always best to check with your insurer. Immobilisers are another exception, as they may in fact have the opposite effect and reduce your premium depending on certain makes and models.
• A change in address is particularly easy to overlook - but few realise the impact this may actually have on your premium. Certain areas are known to be crime hotspots and moving into these locations will increase the likelihood of your van being broken into. For some it can be a move as little as one or two roads to make the difference in your premium. Information on where you keep your vehicle overnight, such as parked in a garage or on the street, may also alter your premium. Your insurer should always be kept updated if there is any change in where you park your van including changes as a result of moving address.
• Minor incidents including small scrapes or minor breakins should also be reported. To many, this seems irrelevant or a waste of time, especially when the damage can often be easily fixed. However being broken into or being involved in small accidents may increase your risk and alter your policy.
• Declaring the correct mileage, or a change in the number of annualised miles travelled (if you have exceeded your stated mileage), is also essential information to update your insurer with as incorrect mileage may invalidate your cover or a potential claim.
• Informing your insurer of a change in occupation is another area that can often be overlooked. Failure to notify your insurer of a change in your occupation can also invalidate your cover or any claim.

The most important thing to remember is that if your insurer is not made aware of changes in your circumstances it may result in claims being rejected and/or your policy becoming invalid. This may in some cases, leave you picking up a potentially hefty tab. If in any doubt it is always best to check, as amendments to your policy cannot be back dated.

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