Car insurance, and tearing my hair out

tobiascurious

Truly I want to be honest but the questions the car insurance companies ask make it difficult.

For a start, the previous owner of the car did some modifications - alloy wheels, wider tyres, sunroof, different stereo, different speakers, better brakes. If I declare all these the insurance companies think I'm an boy racer and charge accordingly.

And then occupation: my employment status tends to change throughout the year from employed, to unemployed, to temp worker, to contractor.

As does the address where the car is kept, if I'm working away from home which I often do. Also the type of place the car is parked during the day and night can vary between drive, garage, office car park etc.

I'll be damned if I'm going to call the insurance company every time one of these small things changes, because they'll slap me with a amendment fee.

What makes it more difficult to cope with is that if they insure at all, many people don't bother declaring modifications, changes to employment, speeding camera points - and they get away with it. On the other side of the coin, people on MSE are all smug about paying £50 or whatever because of Martin's master strategy and quidco - not all of us are so lucky!

Thoughts? Perhaps you can recommend an insurer which doesn't ask so many questions? Thanks

anniecave

the car is as is ... if you don't declare modifications then you could be guilty of fraud... be careful

I wouldn't bother about employed or a temp loss of job or moving from temp to contract, just give them your usual job title. I would just ensure you are insured to drive for your employer if you do so. Driving between different places of employment counts as this too.

The key point is where you live, where the car is usually parked overnight and usually parked during the day. Take the most likely scenario in all cases.

You have a good idea now about all the potential risk factors. I don't ring up for any alterations unless there is a significant permanent change. Like you say, no point!

But I would always declare points etc. It would be wrong not too!

SandC

I agree with Annie. You must declare all the modifications. Those changes make the car more desirable for theft/joyriding for a start. It's not just about you as a driver. If you don't declare them and try to make a claim they will not pay out.

As for your work, use your job title. Whether you are temp, contractor or permanent unless it's in a different line of work entirely you should be able to choose from a list the closest definition to your job.

Again as Annie says, use your home address for your usual parking place if that is where you park most over the course of a year.