Car insurance - temporary different address

aix123

Hi everyone,

I have a main address where my car is insured. It's parked off-road and the town is a low crime area.

But for the next three or four months I will be parking it in a very slightly higher crime rate area, and on the road, instead of a drive way.

I know that it is advisable to change the policy (and pay the extra), but does anyone know the answer to this: if I have an accident while driving and do any damage to another's car or person, is my whole insurance invalid because of where I keep it overnight at the moment?

Of course, if my car was damaged or stolen where it is parked for the next three or four months, I will not be able to claim, but I'm not bothered about that because the car is now not worth too much. And the car has one of the best steering locks on the market.

Spiderham

If there is a material change (eg different overnight location) you need to declare this to your insurer. If you don't do this and you have reason to make a claim it could make it difficult and awkward during the claim process. Also crime rate isn't the only factor that goes into rating areas by insurance companies, it could turn out the area is actually rated much higher by your insurer for some reason (or indeed it could be rated lower and you may get a premium refund of some sort).

forgotmyname

Having the best locks on the market doesnt stop people breaking into the car or damaging it.

The insurance will want to know why it was not at the home address.

olly300

aix123 wrote: »

I know that it is advisable to change the policy (and pay the extra), but does anyone know the answer to this: if I have an accident while driving and do any damage to another's car or person, is my whole insurance invalid because of where I keep it overnight at the moment?

The insurer will pay out the third party claim then either:
1. Pursue you for the cost of the payout, or,
2. Pursue you for the cost of the additional premium if you had told them the truth.

aix123 wrote: »

Of course, if my car was damaged or stolen where it is parked for the next three or four months, I will not be able to claim, but I'm not bothered about that because the car is now not worth too much. And the car has one of the best steering locks on the market.

Doesn't work like that either. If your car was to cause an accident with you not in it then they will still pursue you for extra costs if it damaged a third party or a third party's property.

In short just pay the money for the temporary cover.

BTW there are some insurers at conception who allow you to have two postcodes on your policy. This only really works if both postcodes have the same risk profile.

aix123

Thanks to everyone for their replies, much appreciated.