4 Things That Can Void Your Car Insurance
Most states require that all motorists have an active motor insurance cover. Car insurance is essential as it covers costly claims that may arise after an accident occurs. However, you must be careful not to commit mistakes that can void your insurance.
To help you stay fully covered and not risk the cancellation or rejection of your policy, here are common car insurance mistakes you should avoid.
1. Falling Back on Premiums
With so many bills to keep tabs on, insurance premium payments can easily slip your mind. Failure to pay insurance premiums on time often leads to policy cancellation.
So, if you pay for insurance by installments, set up a direct deposit to avoid cases of missed payments. For annual payments, pay the premiums on time so that the cover stays active.
2. Failing to Report Modifications
Your insurer should know of any changes that you make to your vehicle. For instance, if you replace the current engine with a bigger engine, the vehicle becomes more powerful and riskier to drive. Failure to notify your insurance company of such a modification can result in a claim rejection if you get involved in an accident.
Before making any modifications, you should refer to the policy document to know the changes your insurance covers and those it doesn't. If you can't find any relevant information, you can ask your insurer for further clarification.
3. Driving Under Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
If you drive when your alcohol levels are beyond the legal limit, your insurer will not only cancel your insurance, but you may also have to pay a massive fine to the authorities. Even worse, you might end up in jail.
Hard drugs can also interfere with your concentration while driving. Your insurance company might cancel a claim if they can prove that you have narcotics in your system after an accident.
Some prescription drugs can also impair your driving ability. Check the label of every medicine you buy for any warning signs to avoid taking medications that can affect your driving.
4. Ridesharing Without Informing Your Insurer
You should notify your insurance company when you start ridesharing services like Uber. Remember, ridesharing vehicles require commercial insurance. So, if your private car gets damaged while doing business, the insurance company will not cover you. Therefore, if you plan to take up ridesharing, inform your insurance company so they can offer additional coverage to accommodate your needs.
Always read the policy document thoroughly, especially the exclusions section, so you can understand what your insurer doesn't cover. This way, you will avoid mistakes that can invalidate your insurance.
Speak with an insurance agency for more information.