insurance information Archives

What Can Invalidate Your Car Insurance? A Detailed Guide

3 October 2024 09:49 Comments Off

It’s illegal to drive without insurance – meaning a comprehensive policy that covers your needs is essential. However, did you actually know there are several ways you can invalidate your own insurance? From simple mistakes through to serious actions that could actually cost you points on your licence or a fine, there are several ways you might be invalidating your insurance without knowing it.

Andy Moody, Founder and Managing Director of GoShorty, commented: “The highway code is continuously changing, which means many drivers might not realise how they’re putting their policy and licence at risk. While some rules are more obvious—like knowingly committing fraud—others, such as failing to update your job title or not having business insurance, could also invalidate your policy.

“Staying informed and proactive, and discussing any changes with your insurer, is the best way to protect yourself from the pitfalls of invalid insurance. Fortunately, our temporary car insurance is comprehensive, giving you one less thing to worry about on the road.”

What Does Having Invalidated Insurance Mean?

Driving with invalidated insurance means that your policy is no longer valid for your vehicle – meaning you’re effectively driving without insurance. This is not only illegal, but you can be further penalised with an unlimited fine, being summoned to court, a disqualification from driving, or penalty points on your licence.

To help, we’ve put together a guide highlighting some of the obvious (and not so obvious!) ways you could be invalidating your car insurance.

Common Reasons Car Insurance Doesn’t Pay Out

There are several key reasons why car insurance might not pay out, with more obvious reasons including deliberately breaking the law.

One example of this is individuals purchasing fraudulent car insurance through practices like ‘fronting’, whereby someone falsely claims to be the main driver. In reality, another person is using the vehicle more frequently, but they’ll benefit from a cheaper quote or premium. It often occurs in families, with parents declaring themselves the primary driver to reduce costs for their child. While this practice involves deliberately lying to your insurer, there are several other – more innocent – mistakes you can make when taking out a premium.

Incorrect Information on Your Insurance Policy

Your car insurance premium is calculated based on several key factors, including your age, driving history, and where you use your vehicle. This information helps your insurer create a risk profile. Providing incorrect information on your car insurance policy can invalidate it, leading to claim denials due to an inaccurate representation of your risk. This could result in penalties for giving false information, such as higher premiums, rejected claims, and even fines or legal consequences.

Medical Conditions

If you have declared a medical condition to the DVLA, it’s essential to keep your insurer updated, especially if the condition significantly affects your driving ability. For conditions like epilepsy, diabetes, or visual impairments, failing to inform your insurer could invalidate your policy, leaving you personally liable in the event of an accident. Medical risk is a crucial factor in assessing your coverage, so ensuring your insurer is aware of any relevant conditions is vital.

Marital Status

Many people may not realise that misrepresenting your marital status on car insurance can actually void your policy. This is because unmarried individuals are, statistically at least, a greater risk. In turn, premiums can sometimes be higher for divorced motorists.

What makes car insurance invalid is not always straightforward or immediately obvious, so it’s important to consider whether any changes in your personal circumstances could impact your coverage.

Providing the Wrong Address

Failing to update your address or providing an incorrect address on your car insurance application is a sure way to invalidate your policy. Insurers assess risk based on factors such as traffic density, accident statistics, and crime rates in your area. Moreover, having the wrong address on your driving licence can also invalidate your insurance, so it’s crucial to keep all your details up to date.

Whether you simply forgot to change your address or intentionally withheld the information to get lower premiums, the consequences are the same. It’s especially important to be aware that different areas have different insurance rates, related to where it is riskier for an insurer to cover your vehicle. This can be for several reasons, for example, a higher rate of crime or frequency of road traffic incidents. For example, insuring a car in the city can sometimes be more expensive than if you live in a rural area.

Unregulated Car Modifications

It’s crucial to declare any modifications to your vehicle, whether to the interior or exterior, as these can affect the value of your car and, consequently, your insurance.

Common modifications to declare include:

Engine modifications
Changes to your spoiler
Exterior lighting adjustments
Window tinting

Some modifications, like adding a nitrous oxide system or changing your wheels, can increase your premium, so it’s always worth mentioning any planned changes before making them. Failing to declare something as simple as a private number plate can have costly consequences, like invalidating your insurance if you fail to mention it.

Failing to Protect Your Vehicle

Importantly, it’s not just the information you provide when applying for insurance that could invalidate your policy – how you protect your vehicle is also a factor. These are some of the reasons your policy could become invalidated and insurers could refuse to pay out:

Not Keeping Your Vehicle Secure

Neglecting to secure your vehicle properly is another easy way to invalidate your insurance. Imagine stepping away from your car for just a moment and leaving the door unlocked, only to find it stolen. In such cases, even if your car was within sight, your insurer likely won’t pay out.

This is a particularly common issue in the winter when many people head back into their homes while their car is left running to defrost it. It’s an open invitation for thieves to jump in and drive off.

Driving in Extreme Conditions

Driving during an ‘Act of God’ weather event—an unforeseen natural occurrence like a tornado or earthquake—can also invalidate your claim. While these events are rare in the UK, drivers traveling abroad should be mindful of potential risks.

Your Vehicle’s Purpose of Use

Individuals applying for car insurance need to make their insurer aware of how they intend to use their vehicle. There are varying risk profiles for individuals driving their vehicle for personal, commuting or business purposes, meaning you need to ensure your policy accurately reflects how often you’ll be on the road, and for what purposes. We’ve highlighted some of these below.

Accurate Job Title

The way you use your vehicle is incredibly important for insurance purposes, as some drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents than others. For example, individuals such as delivery drivers are more likely to be on the road at night, which carries more risks. Alternatively, individuals that utilise their van for courier services are likely to be on the road more frequently, increasing their risk of an accident.

Similarly if you’re moving into a role that requires visiting clients or commuting to multiple locations, you’ll need to purchase business-use insurance. Our temporary insurance covers this automatically, but failure to obtain the correct coverage could mean you’re driving without adequate cover. This means it’s important to always update your insurer if you change jobs or industries.

Charging for Lifts

Younger drivers might be tempted to earn some extra money by offering lifts to friends for a fee. However, this can invalidate your insurance unless you have a taxi or private hire licence. You’re allowed to charge for petrol costs, but any profit, even from ‘donations’, could result in invalid insurance and a fine of up to £2,500

Overloading Your Vehicle

Car sharing for festivals and events like Glastonbury is increasingly popular. While it’s a fun way to travel, be careful not to overload your vehicle, as the extra weight can make it harder to control and increase fuel consumption, in addition to voiding your policy.

Encourage your friends to pack light and consider bringing only the essentials. Set up camp and then make a quick trip to a nearby shop for supplies to avoid placing yourself and other drivers at risk and rendering your policy void.

Failure to Disclose Accidents & Points

Individuals who have previously been in accidents or carry points on their licence are a greater risk to insurers compared to an individual with a ‘clean slate’. There are several key ways you can invalidate your insurance by failing to disclose past incidents.

Not Declaring an Accident to Your Insurer

Failing to declare an accident on your insurance is another form of fraud, with serious long-term implications. This can include invalidating any pay-out, especially if you were at fault, leaving you responsible for significant costs.

It can also harm your credibility when seeking insurance in the future and could even lead to prosecution for insurance fraud, with penalties including fines and imprisonment. Lying to an insurance company about an accident is a major no-no.

Omitting Points from Your Insurance Application

Points on your driving licence reflect your traffic violations, such as speeding or running a red light. As these are directly related to your risk as a driver, failing to disclose them misrepresents your driving history. This can lead to higher premiums in the future, as well as policy invalidation for breach of contract.

In summary, keeping your insurance valid requires honesty, vigilance, and staying informed about any changes that might affect your policy. Regularly update your details and communicate openly with your insurer to ensure you’re fully covered. After all, the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re protected is well worth the effort.

Do You Need Business Car Insurance?

14 August 2024 11:58 Comments Off

If you’re travelling for work outside the context of your regular commute, you’ll need to ensure you’ve got specific business car insurance cover. Our temporary business car insurance covers you where your regular policy might not.

If you use your car for work, like travelling for a one-off meeting, visiting a new client, or attending an industry event – you should consider investing in business car insurance, to make sure you’re covered. If you do use your car a lot at work, business car insurance is probably the best option for you. We’ll explain everything you need to know about “commercial travelling”and auto insurance for business use – what it is, when you need it, and why many motorists get caught out being under-insured, below.

What is Business Car Insurance?

Business car insurance is an insurance policy designed to cover any driving you undertake for work purposes, except for your normal commute. Being covered in this way means that should an accident happen on your way to a business meeting or site location, your insurance policy will cover that accident.

Many British motorists aren’t aware that their regular insurance policy is unlikely to cover them if such an event were to occur driving for business, and that’s why it’s so important to always check with your insurance provider what their comprehensive cover actually offers. (Remember that you need insurance for any driving you undertake – whether it’s business-related or not.)

At GoShorty, our temporary car insurance will cover any work-related driving you undertake. Because our business car insurance falls under the category of our temporary cover, the whole purchase is made much easier – and quicker – for drivers unsure of what they need. When applying for a car insurance quote from us, you must explain exactly how you’ll be using your car so we can provide you with the best business car insurance plan to suit you and your lifestyle.

Failure to do so could leave you driving on the road uninsured, so it’s best to look into our car insurance options now, if you haven’t already. We have looked more closely at the importance of providing accurate information to your insurer here.

When Do You Need Business Car Insurance?

You’ll need business car insurance if you’re planning any business-related activity which requires driving. For instance, if you’re driving to a meeting, attending a conference, visiting sites or going on a work trip. For many motorists, temporary business cover is the ideal solution here – as they only rarely drive for work purposes. You’ll only have to pay to cover the time you need insurance for, rather than larger monthly or annual costs, to make sure your business-related driving is comprehensively covered.

The Different Types of Business Car Insurance

Like all specialised insurance types, there are several tiers to business car insurance. How you go about insuring your car for business purposes depends on your line of work and the specific uses of your vehicle.

We’ll delve into the main types of business car insurance below.

What is Social and Commuting Cover?

If the only business-related use you have for your car is driving to and from work, all you’ll need is social and commuting cover. This level of cover is also necessary if you use your car for only part of your commute. For example, if you drive to and park at a train station, you’ll need social and commuting cover. If you drop someone else off at work regularly, but don’t use your car to commute yourself, social and commuting cover will also be applicable.

The social aspect of this cover refers to everyday car use – from driving to the supermarket, to picking up the kids from school. Social and commuting cover is not to be confused with social, domestic, and pleasure cover (SD&P). Whilst this level of insurance will cover you for all everyday car uses, it won’t for any work-related driving.

What is Business Class 1 Insurance?

For general work-related driving, you’ll need Business Class 1 insurance. Generally, this pertains to any driving done between one or more locations. For example, if you work primarily in an office but are required to make on-site visits in various locations, you’ll need Business Class 1 insurance cover.

As with all levels of business class insurance, Business Class 1 automatically covers you for social, domestic, and pleasure car uses. Additionally, it also covers your commute to and from work.

Some examples of who would need Class 1 business insurance include:

An estate agent who drives between different home viewings.
A social worker who needs to drive to make home visits.
A self-employed plumber who drives to different jobs.
A guitar teacher who drives to students’ homes for lessons.
A nanny who takes children on day trips.

What is Business Class 2 Insurance?

Business Class 2 insurance covers everything from Business Class 1, but you can also enlist a named driver with Business Class 2. This tier of car insurance is necessary if you drive a lot during business hours and have a co-worker or employee who also drives the same car on a regular basis. This legally allows your co-worker or employee to use your car for business purposes when you’re not driving it. (Don’t get this confused with Drive Other Cars cover.)

As with all named driver policies, Business Class 2 insurance only grants driving permission to the driver named in the policy. It does not mean you can allow any employee or co-worker to use your car. In this case, you would have allowed someone else to drive your car without insurance, thus they’d be driving uninsured – which is a criminal offence.

Instances where Class 2 business car insurance cover would be applicable include:

A carpenter who allows their assistant to take over the wheel when travelling to clients who live far away.
A commercial landlord who allows a chosen employee to drive to an owned property for repairs or other work.
A florist who allows an employee to deliver flowers.

What is Business Class 3 Insurance?

If your job requires you to be on the road more than off it, you’ll probably qualify for Business Class 3 insurance. While Business Class 1 is recommended for driving to and from one or two clients per day, Business Class 3 is more suitable if you are constantly visiting new clients throughout the day. Class 3 is sometimes referred to as ‘commercial travelling car insurance,’ and unlike Business Class 2, Class 3 car insurance does not allow you to select a named driver.

Examples of who would require Business Class 3 insurance include:

A door-to-door salesperson. Anyone whose business requires them to go door-to-door selling products on a daily basis would need Business Class 3.
A building inspector who drives between different sites multiple times a day.

The Different Levels of Business Car Insurance

Not only do you get different types of business car insurance, but for each type, you can also choose a specific level of coverage. The degree of cover reflects what the insurer will pay in the event of a road accident, or other situation where damage is caused to you and your vehicle. We’ve run through the different levels of business insurance below.

Third-Party Only (TPO)

TPO business car insurance covers the cost of damages to other vehicles and pays for expenses related to injuries sustained by third parties. It is the most basic level of cover on offer – and 100% essential. If you need business car insurance, you need TPO cover at the bare minimum. However, we recommend going at least one step higher to properly protect you and your car.

Third-Party, Fire and Theft (TPFT)

TPFT provides you with everything that TPO does, plus additional coverage to protect your car from damage. Specifically, TPFT will cover costs associated with damage caused by fire and theft.

Comprehensive

Fully comprehensive business car insurance will cover damage or injury caused to third parties, damage to your car as a result of a fire or theft, and personal injury or car damage caused in a road accident. This is the most comprehensive insurance type available regarding business car insurance.

What Impacts the Price of Business Car Insurance?

The cost of your business car insurance will be determined by the type and level of insurance you buy. However, the final cost depends on several factors unique to your job. These factors include:

Your equipment and goods – The more expensive your equipment is, the higher the price you can expect to pay for business car insurance.
The routes you take – This will indicate the kind of roads you’ll be driving on and how long you’ll spend on the road, which allows us to assess all potential risks.
The type of work you do – Your specific job role will also impact the price of your insurance.
As always, your driving history, the type of car you drive, and whether or not you have a no-claims discount will also impact the total price of the business car insurance policies available to you.

What is Commercial Travelling?

Commercial vehicle insurance is necessary when your vehicle plays a fundamental role in your business. This goes beyond commuting (which you don’t require any business car insurance for) or driving to and from different locations as part of your work (which you do). Commercial vehicle insurance provides cover for when your car is your business.

You’ll need commercial insurance for the following professions:

Ice cream van owner
Food truck owner
Service utility truck owner
Driving instructor

You might be wondering if commercial vehicle insurance is necessary for company cars. If you drive a company car, you shouldn’t have to take out commercial car insurance – or any other form of business car insurance, for that matter. If a company car is provided as part of your job, your employer should already have business car insurance arranged for the vehicle.

Can You Get Temporary Business Vehicle Insurance?

Yes, you can get temporary business car insurance coverage. This solves the problem of paying for an expensive annual policy if you only use your car for business purposes once a month or a few times a year. If you were to use your car for business purposes, even once a month, and you don’t have business insurance, you would still face the consequences if you were involved in an accident. If you only occasionally need your car for business purposes, you still need business car insurance to stay protected – and temporary business car insurance is the perfect option for you.

If you only require business car insurance for a short trip, you can arrange temporary business insurance for a couple of hours. Alternatively, if you’re using your car for several business-related reasons over the course of a month, you can opt for month-long temporary business car insurance.

Can You Get Temporary Business Van Insurance?

We’ve covered insuring cars for business-related driving – but what about vans? The answer’s yes – we absolutely do offer temporary business van insurance. In fact, we offer a variety of insurance policies for van drivers, for a variety of contexts. Should you be driving a van to deliver food, we offer temporary food delivery insurance. If you’re using a van to facilitate working as a courier, we offer temporary courier van insurance. You might require carriage of own goods insurance to make sure you’re covered while transporting any items you might need for work – like tools, building materials, garden waste, floristry supplies, and so on.

We even offer pay as you go hire and reward insurance, which allows you to safely deliver parcels or packages for payment. Whatever the context of your business use, we can comprehensively insure you to drive your van as and when you need.

At GoShorty we’re all about making sure you’re safe on the road. It’s important to keep yourself protected from any accidents, which is why our fully comprehensive temporary car insurance is great for those looking for short-term cover. From hourly temporary car insurance to monthly temporary car insurance, you’ll receive flexible cover for however long you require.

FAQ’S

Why do I need business insurance for my car?

If you use your car for business purposes, you are legally required to have at least Third-Party Only (TPO) business car insurance. Regardless of how often or how little you use your car for business, you need to ensure you have the correct coverage level before using your car for work purposes.

What does commuting mean on car insurance?

Your commute is generally defined as the travel you undertake to get to and from work. This travel will typically be covered by a standard car insurance policy. Should you need to drive for business outside of your commute, you should look into business car insurance.

What does business car insurance cover?

Due to the increased risks, business coverage tends to cost more than standard car insurance. Work-related driving may see you on the road more often, and you will potentially be driving for longer distances. Therefore, driving for work-related purposes increases your chances of being involved in an accident, in turn increasing the need for business car insurance.

Do you need business insurance to drive to work?

If you’re undertaking your regular commute, you don’t need business insurance. If you’re driving for work outside of your commute – like attending an industry event or meeting a client – it’s likely you do require business insurance.

How to add business insurance to car

Buying temporary business car insurance is really quick and simple. You’ll just need the details of your vehicle, personal details, policy duration and driving history.

If you drive your own car for work, which type of insurance must you have?

There are many different types of insurance and levels of coverage, and every driver’s needs will vary. If you drive your own car to commute to work, you shouldn’t worry about business car insurance. If you’re expected to drive throughout your working day – perhaps between sites or to visit customers – you’ll need business car insurance.

Can Two People Insure the Same Car?

29 July 2024 15:53 Leave a Comment

Car insurance is a legal requirement for every driver in the UK, which means you’re required to have a policy in place before you set off, or you could face a hefty fine and penalty points on your licence. Having the right insurance in place is important, and sometimes you might need to have more than one person insured on the same car. There’s no maximum number of people who can have a policy associated with a car, therefore you can have two people or more insured on the same vehicle. This means borrowing someone else’s car, or lending someone yours, is totally legitimate – with the correct cover.

We’ve taken a deep dive into why you might end up with two policies on one vehicle, and the reasons that a second person might take a policy out on someone else’s car. Whether you want to borrow a friend’s car for a road trip, or you’re a learner taking out a policy to practise in your parents’ car, you can easily insure two people on the same car by investing in a short-term insurance policy…

Yes, as an individual you could have two insurance policies on one car, but do you need to?

Having two separate annual policies on one car for the same person can be costly and is often unnecessary. If you need two policies because you occasionally need to insure your car for business uses, it’s generally a better option to use temporary business car insurance for those periods.

Accidentally ending up with two policies on one car is actually quite common – usually when you’ve taken out a new policy before your old one has lapsed. Whilst this isn’t a cause for concern from a legal perspective, it does mean you’ll be paying twice – which is best avoided!

If you have found yourself with two policies on one vehicle and need to make a claim, you must be careful to only submit the claim on one of your policies. Your insurers will know how many policies you have on the car, and will know if you try to submit multiple claims – leaving you with a lengthy claims process that can even be considered fraudulent – which can potentially result in more expensive insurance premiums in the future.

Can Two People Have Separate Insurance Policies on One Car?

Yes, it’s fine for two (or more) people to have insurance policies on one car. In fact, it’s becoming increasingly common as the number of one car households increases.

Individuals could each hold an annual policy on a car they share, rather than having one as an added named driver, so they can both build their own no claims discount.

It’s perfectly fine to let someone else take out a temporary policy on your car if you’re lending it to them, too. Most annual policies don’t include ‘Drive Other Cars’ (DOC) cover anymore, so if you’re lending your car to someone, having them take out a temporary car insurance policy will ensure they’re properly insured, and your no claims bonus will be protected should they need to make a claim.

Whenever there’s more than one policy on a car you’ll still need to ensure only one claim is submitted – even if the policies are for different people.

Why You Might Have Two People Insuring the Same Car

There are a number of reasons why you might have more than one person insured on a car. We’ve listed some of the most common ones, and the best insurance types you might choose for them…

Learner Driver Needing a Practice Car: If you have a learner driver in the family who needs to use your car for practice, they’ll need to be insured on the car as a learner. Whilst you could add them as a named driver, one of the best ways to insure a learner is to take out a second temporary learner insurance policy instead.

You’re Lending Someone Your Car: If you occasionally lend your car out, or your household shares one car, you’ll need more than one policy on the car. If someone sporadically borrows the car, or doesn’t use it as much as others involved in the car share, having them take out a temporary policy is a wise move, because having them as a named driver on your annual policy will be unnecessary and costly. With temporary cover they can get insured for a day when they are next using the car.

You Share a Work Van: Multiple people might be insured on the same van if it’s shared for work. If one person owns the van and lends it out to team members on occasional jobs, they can get a temporary carriage of own goods policy to protect them whilst they are on the road. This will protect the owner’s no claims discount and save money on annual insurance costs.

Whenever you’re sharing a car, letting someone borrow your car, or using your vehicle for business purposes, you’ll likely need a second policy on the car – to ensure the correct insurance is always in place.

If your car has multiple insurance policies on it, the main thing you need to be cautious of is how you make a claim should an accident occur.

If you as an individual have more than one policy on a car, you should only make a claim through one of your insurers. If you try to claim on multiple policies you’ll be faced with extended delays on a pay-out, or potentially no pay-out at all, if you’re thought to be attempting insurance fraud.

If there are multiple people insured on the car, the person driving will have to make the claim on their policy. Others with policies on the car couldn’t also make claims in the hope of more payouts, as again this would be classed as insurance fraud. For instance, if your car is being used by a learner to practise in and they get into an accident, only the learner will be able to make a claim on their learner policy.

Outside of issues with insurance claims, you’ll want to keep an eye on the number of insurance policies there are taken out on your car, to make sure your vehicle isn’t ‘over-insured’. If your car is heavily over-insured, you could cause the value of your vehicle to increase and see the cost to insure it soar, too.

In summary – yes, you can have multiple insurance policies on one car. One person might hold more than one policy so that they’re covered for different uses of the car, or multiple people sharing the same vehicle might have their own policy to mitigate any effects on no claims bonuses.Our range of temporary insurance options provide the perfect solution when you’re looking for an alternative to an expensive annual policy, or when someone else needs to be insured on your car. Explore our temporary car insurance, temporary van insurance, and temporary learner insurance options to find the perfect solution for you, to get covered in less than 90 seconds.

Is having two car insurance policies on one vehicle legal?

Yes, it’s legal to have more than one insurance policy on one vehicle – whether that’s one person with multiple policies, or multiple people with their own insurance policy on one car.

If the car has more than one policy, can you make multiple claims?

No, only one claim can be made for an incident, even if there are multiple policies on the car. It’s fraudulent to try to make claims on multiple policies for the same incident.

The Importance of Providing Correct Car Insurance Information

22 July 2024 17:01 Comments Off

Acquiring car insurance from a provider requires trust from both sides. Car insurance is a necessity, as it provides financial cover if you have an accident that results in damage to you, a fellow driver or passenger, or a vehicle involved. It’s important that you provide the correct information when applying for insurance, so you can be properly covered when getting on the road.

If a provider is going to insure you, they need to trust you are who you say you are, and that begins with providing them with your details truthfully.

Sometimes, mistakes happen. Innocently putting in the wrong details or making a typo is understandable, but even so, it’s imperative that you check what you’ve submitted to your insurer to make sure it’s accurate.

In far more sinister cases, people have deliberately attempted to mislead their insurer to get a cheaper premium. A study by LexisNexis in 2022 found that one in five (21%) motorists in the UK feel it’s “completely acceptable” to manipulate the information they submit to insurers to get a less expensive quote. Worryingly, this figure grew from just 12% when the same study was carried out in 2018 – perhaps a symptom of the cost-of-living pressures that people are facing.

Whether it’s lying about their occupation (some jobs carry higher risk than others), how much experience they have as a motorist, or the regular location of their vehicle (some places are deemed to be higher risk than others), there are various ways in which drivers attempt to pull the wool over insurers’ eyes.

Read more about GoShorty’s acceptance criteria.

What Happens if You Lie on Your Car Insurance Application?

If you’ve ever asked yourself or been asked, ‘can you lie on your car insurance’, the answer is a firm, resounding no!

Failing to provide correct information can cause drivers a number of problems that could leave them without an insurance policy to protect them. By providing false information, drivers could end up costing themselves a lot more money, something that everyone wants to avoid these days. Let’s take a look at the potential consequences of lying to your insurers.

Your Insurance Policy Can be Cancelled

Firstly, your car insurance policy can be cancelled if you provide false information. This will leave you looking for a new policy elsewhere, which could be more difficult now you’ve already provided false information to an insurer.

Driving without insurance is dangerous (not to mention illegal), as you won’t be covered for any accidents that might occur on the road. Risking invalidating your insurance due to lying about your circumstances is not worth the risk, and will cost you more than it’s worth.

Future Insurance Premiums Can be Impacted

Providing false information may cause future car insurance premiums to increase. Failure to disclose accurate information about your driving history will cause insurers to view you as a high-risk driver. The less they trust you on the road, the higher your premiums will be.

In extreme cases, you may even be denied insurance outright. Insurers who deem you untrustworthy have every right to deny your insurance application, so you could be left with no insurance, or having to settle for an undesirable option.

If you’re looking to save money on car insurance, lying about your information is something you should avoid. The best way to keep your premiums down is to provide correct information and drive carefully.

Insurance Claims Can be Rejected

If your insurer decides you’ve provided untrustworthy information, they may well deny any claim you submit. For example, if you are involved in an accident and need to make repairs to your car, you will have to pay for this yourself. With proper insurance in place, this type of cost would be covered, but after lying to insurers, you may have your claims denied.

You Could Face Fines and Penalties

In the case that your insurer pays for a claim of yours using your false information, this would be classed as a fraudulent claim. This can lead to you receiving a fine, and the insurance company could sue you due to the costs they’ve had to pay.

As well as fines, your driving licence can receive penalty points, impacting future premiums and your driving record. You may even face prosecution for insurance fraud, something that can lead to community service or prison time.

All in all, lying to your insurance provider is a bad idea. It can negatively impact your driving record, your insurance premiums and your trustworthiness to other insurance providers. It’s also a huge risk that could end up costing you a lot more money than paying for an insurance policy with the correct information would in the first place.

If money is a concern for getting insured, temporary insurance provides drivers with an alternate option to annual insurance. With GoShorty’s product, driving a car for a short period of time is made easy and affordable. This flexible mode of insurance is perfect for borrowing a car, car sharing, learning to drive, or just insuring your vehicle for the time you need it. Get a quote today to see how easy it can be to get on the road.

Can You Drive Someone Else’s Car?

21 June 2024 14:41 Comments Off

You can drive someone else’s car if you are insured too. It’s illegal to drive any car without being aptly insured so you must always ensure you have the correct cover in place before borrowing someone’s car, even in an emergency.

Temporary insurance is one of the easiest ways to get insured on a car you’re borrowing, comprehensive insurance won’t always include DOC (drive other cars) cover so it’s always worth checking you have the right policy in place – don’t just assume.

So, before getting behind the wheel of someone else’s car, always ensure you have cover in place, and the owner’s permission – otherwise you could land yourself in trouble…

Don’t assume your insurance policy covers you for driving other cars. In the past, comprehensive insurance policies included Drive Other Cars (DOC) cover, but this type of insurance is less common these days so always check before assuming you can get behind the wheel of your friend’s car. If you have third-party insurance you definitely won’t be covered to drive someone else’s car.

It’s also worth noting that due to DOC being intended for emergency use, you shouldn’t use this insurance to drive another car regularly. DOC is the lowest form of coverage, which doesn’t make it an ideal insurance type to drive a vehicle regularly with. If you want to borrow someone’s car for an extended period, there are better insurance options available…

The best insurance option for borrowing someone’s car is temporary car insurance. You can take it out for exactly how long you need it, the car owner’s no-claims bonus won’t be affected if you have a bump and it’s fully comprehensive.

Short-term insurance allows for hourly insurance, 24-hour insurance, and even weekly cover or monthly car insurance – for when you know you’ll be borrowing a car for a longer period. It’s the best way to quickly guarantee comprehensive cover whenever you need to drive someone else’s car.

Another insurance option for borrowing a car is to be added as a named driver to the owner’s policy. This is really only worthwhile if you are sharing the car and will be using it regularly. If you just need to borrow a car for a short time, temporary insurance will suffice.

Can My Partner Drive My Car?

Your partner can drive your car, with the correct insurance in place, just like anyone else. Sadly, there are no shortcuts to insuring your partner on your vehicle. You would either have to add them as a named driver, or they will need temporary insurance to use your vehicle legally.

Can Young Drivers Get Insured On Other Cars?

Securing insurance on another vehicle for drivers under 25 can be tricky, due to insurance companies not having as much faith in young drivers. While they can get added as a named driver to another’s policy, this will raise the owner’s premium and leave their no-claims bonus at risk.

The easiest way for a young driver to get insured on another vehicle is temporary insurance. This flexible insurance protects all parties involved and is flexible around the driver’s needs.

If the young driver in question is a learner, then they will need a special learner insurance policy to be able to borrow a car for practice sessions. We’ve explored the best ways to insure a learner, to help you make the best choice for you.

What If You Drive Another Car Uninsured?

Driving someone else’s car without the correct insurance has consequences. Doing this can land you with up to eight points on your licence, be a cause for a fine and result in the car being impounded! In extreme cases, you may go to court and end up with a driving ban.

The owner of the vehicle may also be punished if they knowingly let you borrow their car without proper insurance. If an accident occurs with another uninsured driver, legal action can be taken to make the vehicle owner cover any damage or injury costs, as well as having to pay to repair their own vehicle.

In conclusion, to borrow someone else’s car you need the correct insurance and the car owner’s permission. Temporary insurance provides drivers looking to borrow a vehicle with a quick, flexible option. Drivers can get insured on an hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly basis, with comprehensive cover that will protect the owner’s no claims bonus. It’s the perfect solution for the next time you are looking to borrow a car.

Understanding What Affects Car Insurance Rates

9 April 2024 16:18 Leave a Comment

There are many factors that can have an impact on car insurance rates. Whether it’s due to age, credit score or the rising cost of materials, insurance prices can vary dramatically from case to case. Some factors are more specific to the driver, but some are having an impact on all drivers, causing average insurance premiums to rise. Whilst temporary car insurance can be a good alternative to cut annual costs, insurance criteria will still impact the price you have to pay…

**Why Have Insurance Prices Gone Up?**

The average cost of UK car insurance rose by 12% in the last three months of 2023 to £627. When comparing averages year on year, insurance premiums were 25% more expensive in 2023 than they were in 2022. The continued rise in costs has led to many drivers struggling to afford insurance.

Part of the reason for this is the increased costs of raw materials, car paint, and repairs for vehicles. According to the ABI, the cost of repairs has risen by a third since 2023, and replacement car parts have risen in cost by 12% to 21% too. Insurers have also reported an increased number of claims being made. In fact, there was a 29% increase in claims paid out in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, resulting in a whopping £2.5 billion in payouts from insurers.

This all means that fixing and replacing cars has become more expensive, and more claims are being made. This means insurers are paying out more and more often. Hence, insurance costs have gone up to compensate for more money being paid out.

These factors impact average insurance rates for all drivers, but there are also individual factors insurers will always consider when you apply. These factors will also affect the price you are given.

Factors that Affect Insurance Costs

Insurers look at a range of criteria when calculating the price of insurance for each driver, it’s worth knowing what they are looking for when you search for insurance to get the best deal for yourself. Let’s look at some of the key factors that insurers will consider when calculating your premium.

You should never lie about any of these factors to get a lower quote though. Doing so would invalidate your insurance policy, leaving you driving uninsured which is illegal.

Car Model

The age, value, and insurance group of your car all affect your insurance premium. Cars are categorised into insurance groups, based on their value, repair cost, safety, and performance. The insurance group your vehicle is in will be a determining factor in the price of your insurance.

Car Modifications

Car modifications affect the price of insurance too – for example, custom exhausts or tinted windows can raise the cost of your premiums. It’s important to let your insurer know of any modifications made, claims can be refused if this information is omitted.

On the bright side, some safe modifications such as parking sensors can actually bring the cost down.

Your Age

Younger drivers under the age of 25 will typically face higher insurance costs due to lack of experience on the roads. Insurers see them as a higher risk for accidents, which means higher insurance costs. Temporary insurance for younger drivers can be a good alternative to paying for hefty annual costs, if they don’t drive all that often.

It’s not just younger drivers that can see higher costs though, drivers over 75 will be charged more too, as they are also considered higher-risk.

Your Location

Where you’re based also has an impact on insurance costs. Insurers look at the average number of claims in an area, and how many of these claims are fraudulent when calculating costs.

They also consider the crime rate of an area, how many accidents happen and how busy an area is. That’s why you might find car insurance in a city is more expensive than in rural areas.

Where You Keep Your Car

It’s not just the area in which you live that affects the cost of insurance, it is also where you typically park your car. Cars that are parked on public roads rather than private garages or driveways are more likely to be damaged or stolen, which will mean higher insurance costs.

Sharing a vehicle with a partner or family member who has a no-claims history can bring insurance costs down. If you are ever sharing your car with someone temporarily though, we recommend getting them to use short-term insurance cover, as it won’t affect your no-claims discount and will be cheaper than adding them to your policy.

Do not, however, add a main driver with good experience to the vehicle fraudulently, as this could lead to criminal convictions down the line and invalidate your insurance.

Your Occupation

Car insurance occupation categories also affect how much your insurance will cost. Some jobs may be viewed as high-risk, such as occupations that involve lots of time on the road, carrying specialist equipment in the vehicle, or driving at night for example. These types of roles would increase premiums.

On the other hand, less risky roles that don’t involve a lot of travelling won’t raise prices.

Even the job title comes into play here so be as specific as possible rather than opting for a more general term – do not provide false information though, that will invalidate your policy.

Your Driving Habits

Your driving habits will also affect your insurance costs – if you tend to drive more than the average driver, your chances of accidents increase along with wear and tear on your car, which leads to higher insurance prices.

It’s important to be honest about your mileage when applying for insurance. If you are seeing higher costs due to the amount of time spent on the road, black box insurance offered by some insurers can reduce the policy costs by allowing them to check you are driving responsibly.

Your Driving History

Drivers with a long list of claims on their record will have higher insurance costs, as insurers will be less willing to insure someone with a bad track record. They will also look at points on your licence, previous suspensions and convictions.

Insurers want drivers with clean records who won’t cause them any bother, so the better your driving history is, the better the insurance cost will be!

**How Could Your Insurance Costs be Reduced?**

To keep insurance costs down, there are a few things you can do, so you don’t have to break the bank getting yourself covered.

Choose the Right Car

As previously mentioned, your choice of car will impact the cost of insurance. It’s a good idea to choose a small, safe, cheap car if you are trying to keep costs down. This is particularly good advice for choosing a good first car, younger drivers will face high costs anyway, so choosing a sensible car is important. Larger, more expensive vehicles will cost more to repair and due to their power, will have an increased chance of accidents, meaning prices will be higher.

Keep the Car Safe

Try to store your car in a garage or private driveway to keep them from being damaged or stolen. Also, it’s a good idea to install safety modifications, such as a tracker, parking sensors, or a dash cam. Increasing how safe and secure your car is will reduce costs!

Maintain Your No-Claims Bonus

If you manage to go the year without making a claim, you’ll receive a no-claims bonus. This reduction in cost builds up the more years you rack up without a claim, meaning you’ll save money by driving safely.

If an annual policy isn’t suited to you, temporary insurance could be the thing you’ve been looking for. Temporary insurance allows drivers to choose from hourly insurance, to monthly policies instead of annually, making for a much more flexible and affordable product.

This is a great option for drivers who don’t drive all-year round, or for drivers who are looking to car share. You can get a quote in under two minutes today!

Why are Vehicles Impounded?

13 March 2024 16:23 Comments Off

Vehicle impounding is when a vehicle is towed to a compound lot, usually by the police, where it’s then ‘held’ until the owner is allowed to claim it – if impounded cars aren’t retrieved they are eventually scrapped for parts…

Unfortunately, our research has shown that vehicles being impounded are on the rise across the country – increasing by nearly 7,000 a year.

Why do police impound cars? Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 states that if a police constable in uniform has grounds to believe a vehicle is being driven or used in an antisocial manner, they have the power to stop, seize, and remove the vehicle. Vehicles will also be sent to a compound for illegal activity and of course, not being properly insured…

***Reasons* Your Car Can *Be Impounded***

The police can seize your vehicle for a number of reasons. Having to get your car out of an impound can be very frustrating (less so when you use our compound release insurance of course), so take note of these impound causes so you can drive safely and without having your car seized.

Parking Violations

There’s a lot more at stake when you park badly than just being named and shamed. Whether you need to run into the shop for five minutes or think you might be able to get away with it, parking somewhere clearly marked with a ‘no parking’ sign could result in your car being seized. That’s right, parking in a place or a way that is deemed hazardous won’t just get you a ticket, you could see your vehicle towed away. Always park safely in designated parking areas, without causing any obstructions, the last thing you want is to have to track your car down and pay to have it released from a compound for your bad parking.

In addition, the ‘release’ fee for a clamped or impounded vehicle isn’t cheap – costing £160 for cars or motorcycles, and up to £700 for other vehicles, meaning parking sensibly is always in your best interest.

Driving Without Insurance or Tax

Not only is driving without insurance in the UK illegal, but you’ll also be fined £300, receive six penalty points on your licence, and your vehicle could be impounded.

However, you don’t have to be driving the vehicle for problems regarding a lack of insurance to arise – if you’ve failed to declare an uninsured vehicle as ‘off the road’, you could also get into trouble, as an uninsured car cannot be parked on a public road.

To park on a public road, you need a minimum of third-party insurance. This also applies to cars that are being held on private property, meaning that in reality, you should not be without insurance at any point unless your car is SORN.

You might also be wondering if the police can seize a car with no tax, the answer is yes. This means you should never risk driving without insurance OR tax, as modern automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras do much more than measure traffic flow – they can also detect anyone travelling without insurance or tax, meaning you will get caught, and your car could get impounded.

You can check the MID to confirm your insurance is present, so you can have peace of mind before setting off on a journey. With rising scams like ghost broking, leaving drivers uninsured without their knowledge, it’s no wonder we are seeing car impounding on the rise.

Legal Issues

In addition to the issues that arise from driving without insurance, the police are also likely to impound a vehicle if they believe or suspect it has been stolen, involved in a collision that has not been reported, or involved in any crime as a piece of evidence.

Ultimately, the best way to prevent your vehicle from being impounded is to drive safely, obey traffic laws, and ensure your car is always properly insured and taxed. Our temporary insurance is a great option for when you need to borrow a car, as you can be certain you are fully insured to drive it.

If you are unlucky enough to have your car locked in a compound then our impound release insurance is there for you to help release your vehicle in a timely manner.

Police seize and impound cars for a whole range of reasons, from traffic violations through to a lack of proper insurance and tax. As such, if you want to save yourself the hassle, avoid the points on your licence, and save money from significant fines, you must always make sure your car is properly insured, even if you are just driving 5 minutes up the road.

Our short-term impound insurance is a great help if you do ever find your car impounded – you can get a policy in under two minutes, helping you avoid building fines from the impound lot.

How To Avoid Ghost Broking

5 March 2024 10:09 Comments Off

There’s been a concerning rise in the amount of ghost broking happening on social media platforms – particularly Instagram and TikTok – where there are countless scams targeting unsuspecting consumers with too-good-to-be-true insurance premiums. Similar schemes have been popping up on money-saving forums and student websites, too. For those looking to save money and avoid annual insurance costs, we would always recommend temporary car insurance as the best option, if you don’t use your car often.

But what is ghost broking, and how can you avoid this increasingly common car insurance scam?

**What is Ghost Broking?**

Ghost broking is where people fraudulently pretend to be insurance brokers and offer to arrange insurance for drivers, in exchange for money. In actual fact, all they’re doing is plagiarising documents from real brokers and fabricating other paperwork to imitate authentic car insurance policies. Because this paperwork is often copied from genuine brokers, it can appear legitimate to those who’ve been targeted – making it particularly difficult to distinguish the scam. As ghost brokers tend to target people who don’t know how insurance works in the UK, younger drivers (especially students) and people who don’t speak a great deal of English often fall victim to this scam. It is illegal to drive in the UK without valid insurance, so if you end up driving around with plagiarised insurance from a Ghost broker, you could land yourself in hot water.

**How is Ghost Broking Happening?**

Ghost brokers operate in a number of ways. They might use their own valid insurance documents, but change the dates and names so it looks like it belongs to you – in reality, there’s no policy in your name at all. Another tactic they use is to buy a legitimate policy, but cancel it and pocket the refund – either way, you’ll be driving around uninsured.

Many people are falling for ghost broking scams, due to the deals they offer, but the lower-than-average prices are down to the use of fraudulent information. When purchasing a policy on your behalf, ghost brokers enter false information to make the costs cheaper. For instance, a young driver who only passed their test a few months ago could expect to pay a much higher premium than someone who’s been driving for many years. A ghost broker would lie about your age and other details (like your address, your car, your job), to bring down the cost, without your knowledge. In these cases, although a legitimate policy has been purchased, the inaccurate information used to get a lower price completely invalidates the policy.

When insurers discover fake policies, they typically cancel or void the insurance – and a history of voided policies will likely affect your ability to secure legitimate insurance in the future.

Driving without insurance means risking a whole host of serious penalties, including having your car impounded. This is why it’s absolutely crucial to know you’re purchasing insurance with a legitimate broker, and avoid any ghost broking scams.

How to Identify a Legitimate Insurance Broker

Legitimate insurance brokers will be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – the body responsible for ensuring customers receive fair treatment from financial services companies. The FCA’s code of conduct also means they’re less likely to treat customers unfairly, and if you feel you’ve been mistreated, you can (and should) make an official complaint to the Financial Ombudsman – a free and easy-to-use service that settles complaints between consumers and businesses that provide financial services.

If an insurer is regulated, they’ll have an FCA number which will typically be displayed prominently across their websites. Ours is 751221 – it’s at the bottom of every page. With this number, you can search the FCA’s register to check if the company is a legitimate one you can trust. (If it isn’t FCA-listed, don’t pursue the purchase.)

It’s also worth checking the Motor Insurance Database (MID) once you’ve bought a policy, using askMID, because any valid insurance policy will be listed on there. It might take some time to come through though – especially if you’ve just bought temporary insurance – so don’t worry if your policy hasn’t immediately shown up on the MID. As long as you keep hold of your policy documents, you’ll be fine.

We know how important it is for our customers to purchase an insurance policy with confidence. Whether that cover lasts for one hour or 28 days – we can guarantee you’ll be driving off fully insured and positive you won’t be facing any nasty surprises down the line. We’ve even been recognised for our work in the sector, winning The Insurance Times Awards prestigious Personal Lines Broker of the Year for 2023 most recently.

**What Happens if You Fall For a Ghost Broking Insurance Scam?**

As it stands, there’s no legal distinction between a victim of insurance fraud and someone deliberately breaking insurance laws. If you’re caught driving without insurance, the police could give you a fixed penalty of £300.00 and 6 penalty points – which is likely to make your insurance even more expensive in the future. If the case then goes to court you could receive an unlimited fine and/or be disqualified from driving entirely.

The police also have the power to seize, and in some cases, destroy the vehicle that’s being driven uninsured. There’s actually been a significant year on year rise in the number of vehicles being seized – or impounded – in the UK, with approximately 197,000 cars being seized in the past year alone. There’s likely a partial correlation between this rise and the growing prevalence of ghost broking scams, with more and more motorists having to face the consequences of driving without insurance.

If you’ve been targeted by a ghost broker and your car’s subsequently been impounded by the police, you’ll need to explore your options to get back on the road. Luckily, there’s such a thing as impound release insurance, to get you back on four wheels in no time, via a legitimate insurance broker.

It’s also imperative to report the ghost broker to the police. To stop them being able to target other people, give the police all the details you possibly can about the person who sold you the fake policy. You might also want to report to Action Fraud – the National Fraud & Cyber Crime Reporting Centre – as they’ll be able to pass information about the scam to insurers, and try to prevent any further ghost broking.

It’s really easy to fall foul of ghost broking fraudsters, and customers who’ve been scammed shouldn’t feel embarrassed. Just remember, if in doubt – check the FCA and MID, and ensure any future purchases you make are through legitimate, trustworthy brokers. Discover our award-winning temporary car insurance today.

Car Modifications That Can Invalidate or Increase Your Insurance Premium

21 February 2024 11:23 Leave a Comment

A study has revealed that a whopping 52% of drivers are unaware that they must declare all car modifications to their insurer. And, even more surprisingly, the same study revealed that 45-54-year-old retirees are the most likely age group to modify their vehicles, instead of the often stereotyped ‘boy racers’. We know that the older men get, the more important it is to have a nice car to them. But remember: understanding how car modifications affect insurance can’t be overlooked whatever your age.

From car modifications for aesthetics to those for improving the safety and handling of your vehicle, all types of modifications will have some sort of impact on your premiums – and most importantly all have to be declared to your insurance provider.

Whether you have an annual policy, use temporary car insurance, or are learning to drive with temporary learner insurance – if modifications haven’t been declared, you run the risk of your policy being invalidated…

Car Modifications That Affect Insurance

Car modifications can do a number of things to your car, change the aesthetics, improve handling, increase safety, increase speed, and so much more. If you are making changes that don’t impact how the car drives, or changes that should increase safety and vehicle control, you might be thinking ‘why would I need to declare that’ or ‘that won’t make a difference to my insurance’. But if you look at it from an insurer’s perspective, any change you make to your vehicle could be increasing your vehicle’s value or making it more prone to theft or damage – all things that your insurer will care about.

The below modifications legally need to be declared to your insurer and will have an impact on your premiums.

**List of Modifications That Must Be Declared:**

Engine Modifications
Mechanical Modifications (exhaust, brakes, transmission etc)
Wheel Modifications (not including winter wheels)
Bodywork Modifications –
Wing & Spoiler Changes
Wheel Arch Changes
Side Skirt Additions
Exterior Light Changes
Window Tinting

Suspension Modifications
Brake Modifications
Paint Jobs, Stickers & Decals
Interior Modifications –
Seat Changes
Light Changes
Pedal Changes
Steering Wheel Changes

Car Modifications That May Raise Your Premiums

Before you set out to get your car modified, consider the increased cost to your insurance premiums that might ensue. If you are making your car more valuable, more likely to be stolen, or making it faster and potentially accident-prone there’s a good chance your insurance costs will go up.

But whatever you do, don’t avoid declaring these to try and avoid insurance cost increases – doing so can cause your insurance to be invalidated, meaning you will be illegally driving without valid insurance. Something that isn’t worth the risk…

Paintwork Changes, Stickers & Decals

Maintaining the paintwork on your vehicle is important, as the paint layer acts as a protective layer for your bodywork. However, if you decide to have your car custom-painted for a hefty price, this could also have a knock-on effect, as this raises the value of your car – making it more attractive to thieves.

Additionally, insurers will associate certain paints or decals with drivers who are more likely to make claims, meaning you might just be painting yourself with the wrong brush in opting for a new paint job.

Engine Modifications & Upgrades

Installing a turbo on your vehicle’s engine might improve the performance and fuel efficiency of your car, but it can also raise your insurance. This is because a turbo engine is usually more expensive to fix, while adding power and speed can also increase the risk of an accident in the wrong hands.

In addition, failing to declare the addition of a turbo to your vehicle could void your insurance entirely. Alternatively, engine tunes and remaps could also invalidate your policy if you fail to mention them to an insurer.

Cold Air Intake Changes

If you install a Cold Air Intake to improve engine combustion you must declare it, it may only slightly increase your premiums.

Wheel Modifications

If you are switching from steel wheels to alloy wheels you are likely to see an insurance premium increase. This is because whilst they may make your car easier to drive, they are also more expensive and are very alluring to thieves.

Trying to make your wheels a bit more swish? Unfortunately, even the simple act of painting your standard wheels could raise your premium, with upgrading them likely to be even more costly.

Some wheel modifications are illegal in the UK, including stretched tyres and mixing tyre types.

Car Light Modifications

Many modifications of car lights will not impact your insurance premiums, but some modifications can cause issues.

The first of these are LED strips on the bottom of your car. When these are mixed with a history of claims, theft, and irresponsible driving, your insurer is likely to increase your premium.

In addition, coloured LED headlights and flashing under-car lights are illegal and therefore invalidate your insurance.

Adding Nitrous Oxide Systems

While these systems are not illegal themselves (as many believe), they can increase your premium by as much as 132% – meaning they are exceptionally costly additions to your vehicle.

However, if you fail to tell your insurer about these mods, these could be considered illegal. In addition, these systems can be dangerous when improperly installed, as they increase cylinder pressure.

Lowering Car Suspension

Car suspension can be lowered as long as this doesn’t detrimentally affect the steering of the car or the angle of the headlights. However, any suspension adjustments must still be declared as lowering your car can make it more prone to damage whilst driving over speed bumps, or uneven road surfaces.

Modifying the Exhaust System

Any modifications to your exhaust system are likely to increase your premiums due to increasing engine performance.

It is also important to note that any modifications that remove exhaust silencers creating a loud exhaust system are illegal in the UK.

Upgrading Brake Discs

While upgrading your brake discs will improve the safety and control of your car, opting for more costly discs like carbon ceramics or slotted brake discs will increase your vehicle’s overall value. Which you guessed it, leads to an increase in insurance premiums.

Bodywork Modifications

Bodywork modifications may be to personalise your car’s style, but they can have detrimental effects on safety and thus will increase your premiums. For example, adding larger bumpers or side skirts to your car will increase the risk of damage on bumpy roads and from squeezing through tight gaps.

Other body modifications that will also impact your premiums include – modified wheel arches, flared wings, and the addition of spoilers and valances.

Gear & Transmission Modifications

Changes to your gearbox will alter how your car drives, they must be declared to your insurer as they may make your car more of a risk on the road. Any gearbox modifications are very likely to cause your insurance premiums to rise.

Seat Modifications

Changes to the seats within your car can impact your insurance in several ways. If you reupholster them or upgrade them you are making your car more valuable meaning your premiums will rise. If you replace your seats with alternatives that don’t add value but also don’t comply with safety standards then premiums are likely to rise too.

Whatever changes to your seats are made, they must always be declared.

Car Modifications That May Lower Your Premiums

Some modifications will lower your premiums, in some cases, this is only the case if your car is already modified. They all still must be declared to your insurer…

Engine Downsizing

Opting for a smaller, lighter engine will increase your car’s energy efficiency and make it safer to drive. Doing this will decrease your premiums

Adding High-Performance Brakes

Uprated brakes will make your car safer to drive, whilst these won’t always reduce your premiums, especially if they add increased value – if your car is already highly modified. However, the addition of these could decrease your premiums.

Upgrades to Suspension

If your car is already highly modified and you upgrade your suspension to improve drivability, your premiums could be decreased.

Adding a Sway Bar

Adding a sway bar to your car will increase your safety and may decrease your insurance premiums. Sway bars can stabilise your car while taking tight turns and prevent rolling.

Adding a Water Cooling System

If your car is already modified, adding in a water cooling system to improve the performance of your brakes can contribute to lowered premiums.

Adding a Tow Bar

As a tow bar will mean you will have to drive slower, this can also reduce your premiums.

Illegal Car Modifications That Will Invalidate Your Insurance

Even if you declare these modifications, you could invalidate your insurance due to legalities. If you have any of these modifications, your car cannot be legally driven in the UK:

Tinted windows that block more than 70% light
Certain light modifications, including:
Flashing lights
Additional red lights
Green lights
Visible bulbs
Visible LED strips
Interior LED lights

Modifications that increase the noise of your car – like removing the exhaust silencer
Some wheel modifications – including stretched tyres.
Some mechanical modifications, including:
Removing the catalytic converter
ECU remapping
Injecting nitrous oxide into the combustion chamber

So if any of the above are on your car modification wishlist, strike them off if you want to be able actually to drive your vehicle.

Hopefully, you are now a lot more clued up on modifications and their impact on your insurance. Always remember to notify your insurer of any modifications made otherwise you risk invalidating your insurance altogether. Remember to weigh up the impact of any modifications on your insurance before you commit…

And if you would rather borrow someone’s already green car before painting your own, our temporary car insurance is here for you.

Your Guide to Impound Release Insurance

10 November 2023 13:16 Comments Off

We all make mistakes, and if you’ve made one that’s led to your vehicle being impounded, no matter the reason – GoShorty has got you covered.

At GoShorty, we deal with all forms of temporary car insurance, varying from cars to vans to learner drivers; you’re talking to the pros of short-term insurance here. We know that dealing with vehicle impoundment can be a stressful experience that often looks like non-stop complexities and uncertainties – from understanding the intricacies of impound insurance, also known as compound insurance, to managing the process of releasing your car, the journey can quickly become overwhelming and you might find yourself scratching your head wondering “What is impound insurance?” and “Why is it so expensive?”.

Well, with GoShorty’s brand new specialised 30-day impound release insurance, we aim to simplify this process, providing cover and understanding for vehicle owners facing impoundment. We get it, your car is part of the family, that’s why we do the hard work for you, removing any guesswork and debunking those bewildering industry terms, so you can focus on getting your vehicle back home as quickly as possible.

Understanding Impound Insurance

Impound insurance, often referred to as impound car insurance, compound insurance or impound release insurance, is a specialised policy designed to assist vehicle owners in reclaiming their impounded vehicles from a compound. The insurance you never want to need, but in case that time ever does arise, we are on hand to offer a lifeline to drivers, providing the necessary cover to facilitate the smooth release of seized vehicles.

Oh, and it’s not your typical long-term insurance. This 30-day cover is short-term and tailored to the unique situation of having your vehicle impounded – offered only by specialised insurance providers, such as us. As soon as your vehicle is impounded, your typical insurance becomes invalid. You must therefore purchase compound release insurance to free your car.

It’s essential to understand that impound insurance is different from regular motor insurance in that it serves a specific and time-sensitive purpose. Vehicle impounds in the UK require vehicles to have a 30 day specialist impound release insurance policy in place to be able to release an impounded vehicle, which is why GoShorty compound release policies all last for 30 days.

All UK, EU and international licences are covered with this product. Find out who we cover to check if you’re eligible, today.

Why cars can be impounded

Cars can be impounded for a wide variety of reasons and we understand it’s not always the owner of the vehicle’s fault. Some of the most common reasons for impoundment include vehicle theft, lack of valid insurance, and vehicles involved in accidents as part of an investigation process. Other reasons for impoundment can include illegal parking, unpaid fines or tickets, and driving under the influence – the list goes on. With GoShorty, we’re here to support you however we can, judgement-free.

What is always important to remember is that you can never drive a car without being properly insured. If your car is impounded for this reason, learn from your past mistake and stop and check you are insured to drive before starting the ignition next time.

We know there can be plenty of high pressure situations where you need to jump in a car and go, that is why we offer emergency insurance. All our policies can be purchased online and you can be on your way in under two mins, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

So, even if you think it’s fine you’re only using the car for a short trip, make sure you are insured. We offer hourly car insurance, one day insurance policies and so many more – so every time frame, small and big, can be covered. It’s better to get a regular short term policy when you need it and drive legally, avoiding the need for impound insurance to release your car, trust us.

**Possible Reasons for impoundment**

Stolen vehicles found by police
Uninsured
Untaxed on a public road
Untaxed without SORN on a private road
Parked illegally on roads and private land
Blocking or obstructing the road
Involved in a collision
Being used for crime or anti-social behaviour 
Abandoned after an incident involving the police
Driven by someone without a licence or insurance

The Significance of Impound Release Insurance and its Costs:

While the necessity of impound insurance is evident in the event of having a vehicle seized by authorities, it is not uncommon for individuals to wonder about the costs associated with the process.

You can discover a full breakdown of our temporary impound insurance here, but it’s important to note that outlining the costs associated with compound car insurance can be attributed to the specialised nature of the cover and the specific risks involved in the impoundment process.

As impound release insurance is tailored for a temporary duration (often for 30 days) and users are generally classed as high-risk – the premiums may reflect the urgency and critical nature of the service. Despite the costs, investing in release insurance is crucial for the swift and hassle-free retrieval of impounded vehicles, during what can be a challenging and stressful time.

**How Impound Insurance Works**

We recognise the urgency and complexities associated with impounded vehicles. Our 30-day impound insurance policy is tailored to provide third-party cover, ensuring that vehicle owners can reclaim their impounded vehicles with ease and as quickly as possible, to avoid accruing more costs.

With this type of insurance, there are a couple of ‘rules’ to consider to allow you to swiftly recover your vehicle; it is required that you own the vehicle and hold the current V5 document in your name, unfortunately, the insurance alone will not get a vehicle out of impound. With our user-friendly online platform (which is accessible 24/7), we have streamlined the application process, eliminating the need for unnecessary “hold the line please” phone calls, frustrating back and forths, and extensive paperwork with long, drawn-out negotiations. In fact, you can secure an impound release policy 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, with just a few clicks online.

Our impound release insurance emerges as a reliable solution for those seeking efficient and seamless car insurance impound release services.

**Why GoShorty?**

Let’s break it down for you. Our latest temporary impound release car insurance isn’t just any regular policiy – it’s your ultimate ticket to hassle-free vehicle recovery. Wave goodbye to the days of pulling your hair out over complicated insurance processes, and say hello to GoShorty’s shiny-new seamless impound insurance experience.

Our 30-day policy is all about giving you the flexibility and affordability you need to get your wheels back on the road as soon as possible. With GoShorty, you can get set for smooth sailing into the sunset behind the wheel of your rescued vehicle in no time at all.

We hope you’re ready for a stress-free recovery with GoShorty’s reliable and ultra-accessible temporary insurance solutions. So get a quote today, and be on your way to vehicle recovery.

What is a Good First Car?

26 September 2023 15:21 Comments Off

Although we all want a brand new BMW when we first get hold of a driver’s licence, we have to be realistic when it comes to owning our first vehicle. An ideal first car is one that is affordable, plus safe and easy to drive. Most importantly, it needs to be a car that you can actually insure as a young driver…

So, if you’re wondering what makes the best first car (that you’ll actually be able to get insured on), check out our guide below.

***How Much to Spend* On a First Car**

A first car should be affordable, for a number of good reasons. Firstly, as a young driver in a cost-of-living crisis, you don’t want to be spending tens of thousands on a car that will no doubt be replaced for an upgrade in a few years’ time. You can find quality, used vehicles for a few thousand pounds or less, allowing you to get on the road without breaking the bank in the process. Looking at our research on the most popular cars to learn to drive in, we know that vehicles such as Ford Fiestas and Vauxhall Corsas are two of the most popular cars for young people, both of which are available for less than £10,000.

Spending less on your vehicle will benefit your insurance options too. As a young driver, car insurance for your first car is more expensive due to new drivers being considered ‘high risk’.

With cover for one hour up to a full 28 days of insurance, you have plenty of time and freedom to decide how you want to insure your first car. The maximum value car we insure is £65,000, so if you do make the sensible choice and go for a cheaper vehicle, you’ll be able to take full advantage of the benefits of temporary cover. Whether that’s getting on the road before deciding on an annual policy, or sharing the driving on a road trip with friends, who can also take out temporary policies on your new car!

**The Best First Cars**

No matter your age, your lack of experience on the road means you are statistically more likely to be in an accident, so insurance for new drivers’ first cars is typically more expensive. To combat this, it’s recommended to go for a cheaper, safer car first. This can help reduce the cost of your insurance.

Cars are placed in insurance groups, so the lower the group your car is in, the lower the insurance costs. Lower end cars include the Ford Fiesta, the Fit 500, Citroen C3, Skoda Fabia Classic, and so on. All of these smaller, safer vehicles are the best choices for a first car, as your first years’ insurance costs aren’t sky high.

Temporary car insurance is a great insurance option for new drivers wanting to get on the road. You can get covered in as little as 90 seconds after passing your test, so you can start driving when you want, rather than waiting to find the right annual policy straight away.

**What To Look For In the Best First Car**

Now you know how much to spend on a first car to ensure that you can actually get insured on it, we’ll go through the other key factors to consider when selecting that all-important first car.

**The Age and Usage of the Car**

You will most likely be buying a second-hand vehicle as your first car, due to the costs of brand new models. It’s important to check how much the car has been used before making the purchase. A good mileage for a used car is around 10,000 miles per year, and the car should still have good legs left in it with this kind of mileage. It’s also a good idea to check it has a solid service history, to be sure the car has been looked after in the past, and no nasty (expensive) surprises await.

**The Best Size For a First Car**

It’s best to choose a smaller car when selecting your first. Vehicles with smaller engines, such as 1200cc, will be lower in the car insurance groupings, keeping the costs of your new driver’s insurance down.

Getting On the Road in Your First Car

Your first car will most likely not be your last car, but you should still take care when choosing it. A cheap, safe, reliable vehicle will allow you to enjoy life on the road with lower costs as a new driver. Our temporary insurance for younger drivers will allow you to get driving in no time, without the need to commit to an annual policy straight away.

So, take these tips with you when you pick out that dream first car, remembering to keep the car cost low to ensure you’ll be able to get covered on it as a new driver, and afford the insurance on your first car.

Our range of policies, from temporary learner insurance to young driver insurance and regular temporary cover, ensure we are here to provide you with flexible insurance options for every step of your driving journey…

Understanding Car Insurance Occupation Categories

28 June 2023 12:20 Comments Off

When it comes to applying for car insurance, whether it’s for temporary car insurance or an annual policy, you will always have to provide your occupation.

This isn’t because insurers are nosy, rather it is a vital piece of information they use as part of their formulations to work out if they want to cover you and how much it will cost them and thus you. That’s right, what you do as a job has an impact on your insurance cost.

Submitting the wrong job title can invalidate your vehicle cover, but due to an outdated job title register widely relied upon across the insurance industry, it’s likely you will feel you have to list the wrong job title – and doing this could run you the risk of invalidating the policy in the process.

How Do You Choose Which Occupation to Select When Applying?

Of course, as with everything in the world of insurance – there’s a grey area. It’s understandable that your exact job title may not be there, however you are expected to make an educated choice, for one that most closely signifies your job.

If you were to choose a completely different occupation to what your actual job is, for example, if a scaffolder listed their profession as a doctor, there won’t be a great deal of sympathy from insurers extended their way and the policy would be invalidated, meaning if you had to make a claim, you’d get no payout.

If, as is increasingly common, you work in an emerging industry and your exact job title isn’t featured on the insurance register, you may have to choose a more general occupation title that relates to your role or industry in some way – without it being an out-and-out lie.

We know there are huge gaps in accurate occupation choices for emerging sectors including the likes of AI, digital marketing and digital creators. Hopefully in time we will see insurers update their occupation register to reflect the modern workforce more accurately. For now, use your best judgement to choose the closest occupation title you can find to your actual one when applying for a temporary car insurance quote.

What Are The ‘Best’ Occupations When Applying for Car Insurance?

There isn’t really a ‘best’ occupation to put down when applying for insurance to get the quote you want, other than the correct occupation. Your policy will be invalidated if you try to manipulate your information to get the best quote, so you are best putting down the correct occupation.

If you are interested in how the occupation you select influences the quotes you get then we can shed a small bit of light on that…

Differences in quote prices due to occupation are down to the insurer’s understanding, based on decades of data, about each profession’s likelihood to make a claim. If your occupation is one that insurers see as having a higher risk for making lots of claims, it is likely you might see a slightly higher fee quoted.

What Are Some of the Most Common Occupations of Today?

LinkedIn’s most popular job titles of 2022 shows what some of the most highly searched for roles are on the popular networking site. You’re far more likely to be a machine learning engineer now, than you were when the insurance jobs register list was first compiled…

LinkedIn’s most popular job searches of 2022:

Customs Officer
Machine Learning Engineer
Import Specialist
Business Development Representative
Chief Human Resources Officer
Site Reliability Engineer
Sustainability Manager
Career Counsellor
Content Designer
Client Solutions Manager
Network Planner
Laboratory Scientist
Diversity and Inclusion Manager
Talent Acquisition Specialist
Salesforce Administrator
Computer Vision Engineer
Data Engineer
Back End Developer
Public Health Officer
Vice President of Products

We know this isn’t an accurate representation of the popularity of all job types across the UK however, as many occupations still don’t rely on LinkedIn, like we know office jobs tend to. But it does give a bit of a taster of what the modern workforce looks like compared to the below…

Some of the Car Insurance Occupations on the Current List

Whilst we assure you the full occupation list you choose from when applying for insurance features a lot more roles you will be familiar with, we thought some of the below deserved a highlight!

Some of the roles on the current job titles register insurers use are interesting to say the least…

Bacon Curer
Chicken Chaser
Chicken Sexer
Clapper
Water Diviner
Pig Man or Woman
Parachute Packer
Panel Beater
Ostler
Meat Inspector
Marquee Erector
Lampshade Maker
Kissagram Person
Juggler
Curtain Hanger
Drayperson
Doll Maker
Fortune Teller

Never heard of a Pig Man? Had no idea juggling was a bonafide profession in the 21st Century? Well, neither had we! If these very specific occupations are present on the register, we are sure some day you’ll be able to find the likes of ‘Instagram Content Manager’ on there too…For now though make sure you choose the most accurate occupation on the list when applying for your temporary car insurance – you don’t want to invalidate your policy!

Tag Archive: insurance information

What Does Having Invalidated Insurance Mean?

Common Reasons Car Insurance Doesn’t Pay Out

Incorrect Information on Your Insurance Policy

Medical Conditions

Marital Status

Providing the Wrong Address

Unregulated Car Modifications

Failing to Protect Your Vehicle

Not Keeping Your Vehicle Secure

Driving in Extreme Conditions

Your Vehicle’s Purpose of Use

Accurate Job Title

Charging for Lifts

Overloading Your Vehicle

Failure to Disclose Accidents & Points

Not Declaring an Accident to Your Insurer

Omitting Points from Your Insurance Application

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**Why Have Insurance Prices Gone Up?**

**How Could Your Insurance Costs be Reduced?**

***Reasons* Your Car Can *Be Impounded***

**What is Ghost Broking?**

**How is Ghost Broking Happening?**

**What Happens if You Fall For a Ghost Broking Insurance Scam?**

**List of Modifications That Must Be Declared:**

**Possible Reasons for impoundment**

**How Impound Insurance Works**

**Why GoShorty?**