Motor changes to tell insurers

You’ve bought the rings, ordered the cake and posted the invitations. If getting married means a new address or name, add updating your car insurance to your to-do list.

It is important to tell your car insurer about any changes, as incorrect information on your policy could impact any settlement if you need to claim.

It’s important to remember this includes any changes relating to any named drivers on your policy.

Here’s what you need to know about keeping your policy current when life, or your vehicle, changes.

You should tell them as soon as possible. If you don't, you're at risk of invalidating your insurance. It's your responsibility to keep your information up to date and this responsibility is normally explained in your policy's terms and conditions.

Contact your car insurer if you need to change anything related to your policy, especially if your personal information changes, such as a name change if you get married.

Letting them know if you change address is also important. Premiums take into account where you live, and certain postcodes are considered more high-risk than others. If you move from the countryside to a city centre and swap a secure garage or drive for on-street parking, you can expect your premium to change.

Some examples of changes you'll need to tell your car insurer about include:

• a change of vehicle
• adding a vehicle
• adding a new driver
• a change of vehicle use
• convictions or claims
• any changes relating to named drivers, including convictions or claims.

If you receive a motoring conviction, are disqualified or have an accident (even if you weren’t at fault and aren’t planning to submit a claim), tell your car insurer. If you need to, you can check your driving record and penalty history on the Government's check driving information page. Also, you may need to let your car insurer know if you're diagnosed with an illness that has to be reported to the DVLA.

It's essential to notify your car insurer about any modifications you plan to make to your vehicle. This includes cosmetic changes, such as a new paint job, as well as performance enhancements, like engine upgrades. Informing your insurer before making these modifications is crucial because some changes might not be covered under your current policy. Additionally, certain modifications could require an adjustment to your premium. By keeping your insurer in the loop, you ensure that your coverage remains valid and that you won't face any unexpected issues if you need to make a claim.

Also get in touch if you change your registration plate, the car’s primary use, or if you're looking to amend your annual mileage.

It may seem obvious, but don’t forget to update your car insurer if you sell your vehicle and are no longer the registered keeper.

This depends on what the changes are. Even if the changes you make don't increase or decrease your premium, either mid-term or at renewal, you still need to tell your car insurer about them so they can make sure your cover is correct.

Your policy premium is influenced by a number of things, such as where you live and where you keep the car. Meanwhile, the age and occupation of the drivers, their experience and past claims, what that car is used for and the number of miles it's driven each year also affects how your premium is calculated. Find out more about how we work out your car insurance price.

If you have car insurance with us, you can let us know of any changes in MyAviva. For other car insurers, check their websites for more details.