1:00 AM 1st February 2025
cars
Drivers Face Fines Up To £5,000 And Voided Insurance Due To Common Mistakes
![Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay]()
Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay
The temporary car insurance experts at Tempcover have revealed common insurance mistakes that could cost you.
Not updating a change of address
Failure to notify your insurer of a change of address can invalidate your policy, as insurers calculate premiums based on local factors such as crime rates and parking availability. You could face fines of up to £1,000 for providing outdated information.
Theft of your car where keys are left in the ignition or the car is left unlocked
Leaving your keys in the ignition or your car unlocked while unattended makes it an easy target for thieves, increasing the likelihood of theft or vandalism. This not only raises the risk of losing your vehicle but may also invalidate your insurance, leaving you without coverage to replace it.
Failing to report minor accidents
Failing to report minor incidents could invalidate your policy and result in fines of up to £5,000 and 5-10 penalty points. It also leaves you vulnerable if the other party reports the incident to their insurer.
Not updating name or gender changes with the DVLA
If you legally change your name or gender, it is important to inform the DVLA, or you risk a fine of up to £1,000. To ensure your driving licence and vehicle registration are accurate, you must return your old licence along with any required documentation.
Claire Wills-Mckissick, temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, commented:
"Even small mistakes can lead to big financial and legal consequences, especially if they result in your car insurance being invalidated.
A simple oversight, such as failing to update your address, can result in denied claims or even a voided insurance policy. To protect your coverage, every policyholder should double-check the information provided during setup, ensure it is accurate, and carefully review the terms and conditions to familiarise themselves with any clauses that could put their policy at risk."