# 10 things you could be doing that invalidate your car insurance Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2023-01-31 Category: INSURANCE Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/insurance Meta Title: 10 things that can invalidate your car insurance policy Meta Description: Discover the top reasons why your car insurance policy could be invalidated, from distracted driving to incorrect address details. Stay informed with URL: https://financedigest.com/10-things-you-could-be-doing-that-invalidate-your-car-insurancehtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/istock-1150764669-1736814520542-compressed.jpg) When you take out car insurance, you also agree to abide by its terms and conditions. Not doing so, can mean you risk invalidating your policy which means your insurer can cancel your cover and refuse to pay out, but how familiar are you with all your Ts and Cs? Here, a comparison site for [cheap car insurance quotes](https://www.mustard.co.uk/car-insurance/), mustard.co.uk, share ten things you could be doing that actually invalidate your policy. ## **1\. Driving while distracted** Distracted is a broad term and purposely so – it essentially covers anything that takes your focus away from the road. This can include eating or drinking behind the wheel or putting on your make-up or shaving. If you have an accident while you’re distracted, your [insurer could argue that the incident only happened because you weren’t paying](https://www.financedigest.com/are-you-getting-what-you-are-paying-for-when-it-comes-to-cyber-liability-insurance.html "ARE YOU GETTING WHAT YOU ARE PAYING FOR WHEN IT COMES TO CYBER LIABILITY INSURANCE?") attention. But not only could it invalidate your cover, but careless driving can also earn you between [three and nine penalty points](https://www.gov.uk/penalty-points-endorsements/endorsement-codes-and-penalty-points). ## **2\. Switching jobs and not telling your insurer** [Insurers work out your premium based on your risk profile which takes into account the type](https://www.financedigest.com/types-of-insurance-for-yourself-and-your-family.html "Types Of Insurance For Yourself And Your Family") of job you do. If you [change jobs but forget to tell your insurer](https://www.financedigest.com/what-are-the-best-investment-solutions-for-insurers-in-a-changing-economic-landscape.html "What are the best ‘Investment Solutions for Insurers’ in a changing economic landscape?"), your premium won’t be an accurate reflection of the risk you pose. So, remember to let them [know if you’re promoted or switch roles](https://www.financedigest.com/its-what-you-know-the-role-of-data-in-mergers-and-acquisitions.html "It’s what you know: the role of data in mergers and acquisitions"). ## **3\. Having the incorrect address** Your address also influences your premium so you’ll [need to remember to update your insurer](https://www.financedigest.com/breaking-down-the-types-of-insurance-you-need.html "Breaking Down the Types of Insurance You Need") if you move. If you’re a student, you should use the address you’re at most often – for example, your term [time address](https://www.financedigest.com/its-time-to-address-asset-managements-image-problem.html "It’s time to address asset management’s image problem"). ## **Not having the right class of use** Class of use is the technical term for the activities you use your car for. Insurers [need to know](https://www.financedigest.com/4-things-you-need-to-know-about-mortgages.html "4 Things you Need to Know About Mortgages") this, so they can gauge the chances of you being involved in an accident – the more you’re on the road, the higher the chances. If your class of use is wrong, your premium won’t be an accurate reflection of your risk which invalidates the cover you have. Classes of use include: - Social, domestic, pleasure (SDP) - Social, domestic, pleasure + commuting (SDP+C) - Business use ## **5\. Not keeping your windscreen clean** A dirty windscreen limits your visibility which increases the [risk of causing](https://www.financedigest.com/businesses-unaware-of-operational-risk-caused-by-spreadsheets.html "Businesses unaware of operational risk caused by spreadsheets") an accident. In fact, as well as keeping your windscreen clean and clear, [you’re expected to keep your car](https://www.financedigest.com/ten-things-youre-doing-that-are-invalidating-your-car-insurance.html "TEN THINGS YOU’RE DOING THAT ARE INVALIDATING YOUR CAR INSURANCE") properly maintained to minimise the chances of an incident. ## **6\. Underestimating your annual mileage** [Insurers](https://www.financedigest.com/different-countries-different-insurance-cultures-how-insurers-can-adapt-their-products.html "Insurers") don’t expect you to be accurate to the mile, but they do expect you to be within a reasonable distance. It shouldn’t be too tricky to work out your mileage as most of us are creatures of habit. For instance, your daily or weekly commute, the school run, [grocery shopping and driving](https://www.financedigest.com/inflation-drives-britains-record-christmas-grocery-sales.html "Inflation drives Britain’s record Christmas grocery sales") to clubs and hobbies. If you think there’s a risk of you going over what you’ve estimated, let your [insurer know](https://www.financedigest.com/travel-insurance-small-print-what-you-need-to-know-loopholes-in-policies-that-could-cost-you-a-packet.html "Travel insurance small print – what you need to know Loopholes in policies that could cost you a packet"). There may be a fee to amend your policy, but it’ll be far cheaper than your insurer cancelling your [policy and leaving](https://www.financedigest.com/impact-com-announces-new-global-parental-leave-policy.html "impact.com announces new global parental leave policy") you to fork out for repairs after an accident. ## **7\. Fronting** Fronting happens when an older more experienced driver lists themselves as the main driver on an [insurance policy in order to get cheaper cover](https://www.financedigest.com/japan-insurers-to-maintain-cover-for-lng-vessels-in-russian-waters.html "Japan insurers to maintain cover for LNG vessels in Russian waters") for a younger driver. A typical example would be a parent fronting for their child who’s under 25. Fronting is actually considered [insurance fraud](https://www.financedigest.com/red-box-recorders-becomes-key-partner-in-battle-against-insurance-fraud.html "RED BOX RECORDERS BECOMES KEY PARTNER IN BATTLE AGAINST INSURANCE FRAUD") (whether it’s intentional or not) so the potential consequences can be severe. Parents can of course be included as named drivers on a child’s policy which can help [lower premiums](https://www.financedigest.com/big-data-lowers-insurance-premiums-and-optimises-business-performance.html "Big Data Lowers Insurance Premiums and Optimises Business Performance") too. ## **8\. Attaching objects to your rear-view mirror** If you have an accident and you’re found to have large objects hanging from your rear-view mirror, your [insurer could reject your claim](https://www.financedigest.com/how-to-streamline-claims-conversations-in-the-insurance-sector-and-transform-your-cx.html "How to Streamline Claims Conversations in the Insurance Sector and Transform Your CX") as this can also count as a distraction. If you want to keep good [luck charms in your car](https://www.financedigest.com/rocking-down-to-electric-avenue-good-luck-charging-your-car.html "Rocking down to Electric Avenue? Good luck charging your car"), consider putting them somewhere where they can’t be considered distracting (like the glovebox). ## **9\. Inappropriate footwear** As the [driver of a car](https://www.financedigest.com/pimp-my-ride-south-east-drivers-most-likely-to-modify-their-cars.html "Pimp my ride! South East drivers most likely to modify their cars"), you’re expected to be in full control, which means having appropriate footwear that allows you to use the pedals properly and effectively. Examples of inappropriate footwear include no shoes at all, very high heels, flip flops or shoes with thick soles that stop you from feeling the pedals. ## **10\. Not securing your pet** If you’ve got a pet, [you’ll need](https://www.financedigest.com/common-uses-for-bridging-loans-and-what-youll-need-to-get-one.html "Common Uses for Bridging Loans and What You’ll Need to Get One") to keep it properly restrained – it’s also part of the Highway Code. This could mean putting your pet in a secure cage in the boot, or using a specially designed pet [seat belt](https://www.financedigest.com/the-automotive-seat-belt-market-to-grow-diligently-from-2021-to-2031-at-a-cagr-of-6-5.html "The Automotive Seat Belt Market to grow diligently from 2021 to 2031 at a CAGR of 6.5%"). Not restraining your pet doesn’t just endanger you, it increases the risk of serious injury to them too and simply [isn’t](https://www.financedigest.com/fintech-at-risk-why-multi-factor-authentication-isnt-always-the-answer.html "FinTech At Risk: Why Multi-Factor Authentication Isn’t Always the Answer") worth the risk, even for short journeys. --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---