Money Matters: Be Sure You’re Insured

Make sure you avoid the simple mistakes that can invalidate your car insurance, Adele Trathan looks at some common areas that can be easily overlooked

Even when we’re the person innocently suffering a bump, scrape, dent, or worse – insurance companies have a canny way of making us feel like the guilty party.

In fairness, government regulations and self-imposed measures in wake of an era of damaging, negative, customer reviews – mean insurers are less inclined to try to slide out of their commitment. However, it still pays, literally, to check you’re covered and fulfilling all the requirements of your car insurance policy. 

Following the four pieces of advice below should ensure that, in the event of the worst happening, you get what you’re owed: 

Renew and refresh 

When your renewal comes around, think about what’s happened in the past year. Some companies auto-renew, meaning any points gained in the last 12 months don’t automatically get added. And yes, you’ve guessed it, when it comes to claiming, urgency is expected of someone who had been in an accident and suffered damage to an important possession. 

Delayed claiming isn’t, in itself, a reason not to pay out, but it won’t do you any favours and, if combined with other aspects that show a lack of care, attention or urgency, may make an insurer think twice. 

As good as your word 

Being up to date with your own requirements, in terms of how the car is used and any changes to lifestyle or motoring habits is important, but also consider the agreed terms of the motoring insurance that you took out in the first place. 

Perhaps, for instance, your vehicle requires special maintenance on a regular basis; or maybe you’ve stated that it’s garaged overnight but it’s now parked on the main road outside your house. If your policy states certain conditions must be fulfilled, make sure they are. 

Honesty is the best (insurance) policy

Finally, if your insurance states you’re the sole driver then it must be you behind the wheel, however tempting it is to let your mate drive you back from the pub. 

In a similar way, if you’re tempted to add on any existing damage to a new claim or, worse still, feign injury should you be involved in a collision, think again. Insurers identified over half a million dishonest insurance applications last year, and in extreme cases police were involved. 

Ultimately, insurers are happy to pay out for honest claims, and the price per pay- out has steadily risen in recent years. So, steer clear of simple or careless mistakes, and you’ll find you’re covered!