Legally speaking, you need to have at least third-party insurance to drive on the road in the UK.
But there are a number of other pitfalls you can fall foul of that may land you in hot water with your insurance company or even invalidate your policy.
Here's a list of 11 “need-to-knows” to ensure you are kept protected and not taking any inadvertent risks.
1. Don’t insure the main driver as a named driver on the policy
Don’t insure your son or daughter as an additional driver on your policy if they will, in fact, be the main user of the car.
This may seem a tempting way to reduce the cost of young-driver insurance, as the premium will be predominantly based on you.
Avoid the temptation, though, as insurance companies call this 'fronting' and it invalidates your cover – even if you own the car.
Insurance for a young or new driver can be expensive, so a good option is to look into a black box insurance policy which can help bring a new driver's insurance down. This works by basing the premium on the way the policy holder drives, rather than basing it on how that person's age group statistically drives.
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2. Be truthful about how the car is used
Standard insurance policies only cover you for social, domestic and pleasure use.
If you drive your car for business, such as visiting clients or travelling to more than one place of work, you must declare it to your insurance company.
Specific business car insurance policies are available, which will ensure you remain properly covered.
3. Report a change in your circumstances
Car insurance costs vary depending on a number of factors including where you live, and whether you have access to off-street parking.
If you change address, therefore, you must let your insurance company know immediately.
The same applies to other life-changing events, such as starting a new job or getting married.
4. Keep your car well-maintained
Your car must be in roadworthy condition, for yours and other road users’ safety, as well as for insurance reasons.
A valid MOT is a condition of cover, including four legal tyres (1.6mm is the minimum tread-depth), working lights and correctly fitted seatbelts.
A full list of MOT checks can be found here.
MORE ADVICE: 14 ways to make your car last longer
5. Declare any modifications
From spoilers to superchargers, modifying your car is something you must tell your insurer about.
Even small changes could affect your premium, so honesty is the best policy to remain properly covered.
There are some modifications that may decrease insurance costs, such as fitting an alarm or tracker, but generally you should expect to pay more if you modify your car.
6. Make sure you’re covered for a track or event day
Any sort of circuit driving or motorsport usually falls outside your insurance policy, for obvious reasons.
It’s possible to buy single-day cover for track days, although it won’t be cheap. The same goes for off-roading – make sure you check what your insurance covers you for before you drive.
READ MORE: A complete guide to your first track day
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7. Not telling your insurer if you want to drive abroad
If your policy doesn’t include overseas cover, you will only have third-party insurance inside the EU area – and potentially no cover beyond its borders.
However, despite the UK's exit from the European Union, UK insurers are still required by law to provide some level of cover. It's well worth checking if this is comprehensive insurance or simply third-party.
More driving abroad tips
8. Not reporting a non-fault accident
You are obliged to tell your insurance company if you were involved in an accident – even if it wasn’t your fault.
Frustratingly, this can mean your premium rises at renewal-time, as statistics show that drivers caught-up in crashes are also more likely to cause one.
9. Saying sorry at the scene of a car accident
Apologising after an accident can be taken as an admission of liability, so it's advisable not to say anything that might seem like you're accepting fault and let the insurance companies settle the incident.
You should also be careful about saying you’re unhurt, as some injuries may take time to manifest themselves. Stay calm and deal with the practicalities at the scene, but nothing more.
MORE ADVICE: What to do after a car accident
10. Allowing somebody else to drive your car
Many policies will insure another driver third-party on your car with your permission.
However, this is subject to terms and conditions – including said driver’s age and experience – so always check first.
Remember, you are still liable if something happens, and it won’t cover damage to your own car.
If you’d like someone else to borrow your car or to share the driving for example, they can purchase a specific temporary car insurance policy for that. It’s easy to set up online within about 15 minutes and can give them cover from an hour up to 30 days. That way your No Claims Discount won’t be affected if they need to make a claim.
11. Don’t make a profit from charging passengers for a lift
Don’t worry, you won’t get into trouble for asking a friend for petrol money – you’re allowed to cover your costs.
However, if you’re making a profit from the use of your car then you’re effectively a taxi and should tell your insurance company.
READ NEXT: 10 driving offences you didn’t know were illegal
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