Car insurance keeps you and others safe and is a legal requirement for every driver in Ireland. its4women car insurance provides that extra peace of mind, however it’s crucial you don’t invalidate or restrict your cover – unintentionally or otherwise. 

It may be surprising to learn how some everyday habits and small mistakes can render your car insurance invalid. Even simple mistakes, like forgetting to update your address or missing a payment, can have significant consequences for your policy. Sometimes, paying attention to small details can make a big difference in whether your insurance remains valid. So, to help keep you covered, here’s our guide to the behaviour that could leave you driving without insurance. 

Personal Details 

Have you recently been promoted? Maybe you’ve changed careers completely? Or have you started a new job, or packed up and moved to a new home? Whatever the change, don’t forget to let us know. Your insurance company needs to know about any changes in your circumstances in order to update your policy to reflect the change in your needs, otherwise your policy could be considered invalid. The policy holder is responsible for informing the insurer about any changes in occupation or address. Providing false information about your occupation or address can invalidate your policy and may result in claim rejections or other consequences. Insurers take your occupation and eircode into account when setting your car insurance premium, as certain jobs and areas are deemed riskier than others. 

Be clear on where you keep your car overnight 

We understand you may not keep your vehicle at the same location every day of the year, however if you tell your insurance company that you keep it at one address but park it at a different location every night, this could render your car insurance invalid. Always keep your insurer up to date on where you park your car at night, whether this is in a garage, a driveway, at work, or on the street, so we can help keep your vehicle protected. 

Modifying your car 

If you’re in the market for modifications such as spoilers, a roll-cage, lowering suspension, or even a turbo engine, you could be unable to make a claim or left without cover if you fail to tell your insurer. Any modifications will likely impact the vehicle’s value and power and, subsequently, the cover you’ll need. Its4women may cover some standard optional extras fitted by the manufacturer or approved garages, but if you’re still feeling unsure, visit the live chat facility on our website to instant message with an adviser for clarification. 

Fronting 

Many parents often consider adding their son or daughter to their car insurance policy at first or being listed as the main driver in order to cut the cost of their child’s insurance policy. 

While this might seem like a legitimate loophole, taking out insurance in someone else’s name to get cheaper cover is known as “fronting” and is a form of insurance fraud. Premiums are calculated largely on the risk presented by the policyholder, so pretending that an experienced parent is the main driver of the car rather than their inexperienced child is illegal and runs the risk of invalidating your insurance. 

Such situations often come to light when a claim is submitted and can result in the insurance policy being deemed void. This is a common cause of policy invalidation, as misrepresentation or failure to disclose accurate information can lead to the cancellation of your coverage. In addition, the driver could find themselves fitting the bill for the damages, and then in court charged with driving without valid insurance. If you need a car insurance quote for a young driver, get an its4women black box insurance quote and always provide accurate information to avoid future issues. 

Keep your car in good condition 

To keep your car insurance valid, you must ensure your vehicle is always maintained in a roadworthy condition and your car has a valid NCT (or a valid MOT for UK readers). The condition of your car is a key factor in maintaining valid insurance. Don’t forget to check tyre levels and top up the water in your car’s radiator. Take a read at our car maintenance checklist to help keep your vehicle in top gear throughout the year. 

Don't drive recklessly 

This one may be obvious, for obvious reasons, however it’s important to avoid taking to the roads like a race car driver and always comply with the law observing all road traffic rules. Driving sensibly goes hand-in-hand with keeping your car in good condition, so make sure you adhere to speed limits, follow the rules and drive carefully so as not to invalid your car insurance. 

Choose the right class of use 

At its4women, we offer three different classes of use which will be outlined on your Certificate of Motor Insurance. 

Social Domestic and Pleasure 

Choose this class of use if you, or any drivers named on your insurance, only drive for social purposes, such as visiting family and friends or nipping to the shops. This class covers personal and leisure driving only. Travelling for work purposes is not included. 

Commuting 

As well as covering you for the above usage, ‘Commuting’ also covers travelling to and from one permanent place of paid employment, school or college. This class covers your daily commute, including parking your car at a train station before taking a train, and dropping someone else at their work. Don’t get caught out by not having the right cover for your commute. 

Class One 

If you use your car as part of your job to travel to other locations as well as your usual place of work, you will require Class One Business Use. This class covers business-related travel between different work locations, but cover for commercial travelling, soliciting for orders and the carriage of goods and/or samples is excluded. 

You can select and purchase your class of use that reflects how you will be using your car at the start of your policy, or, if your circumstances change, you can add it throughout the policy term via your Online Portal. If you choose the wrong class of use, you run the risk of your car not being covered if you’re involved in an accident and a claim being declined. 

Declaring your accident 

You should declare details of accidents to your insurer, including minor knocks and dents. It is important to report all minor incidents, as failing to do so could affect your insurance coverage or future claims. For example, if you do not report a small parking lot scrape and later need to make a claim for a related issue, your insurer may deny the claim due to the unreported minor incident. 

If you have been involved in an accident, but are not making a claim, you must still advise us of the incident, and you must confirm whether anyone else was involved in the accident who may have suffered an injury or damage to their property. 

If you have been involved in an accident, or your car has been stolen or is damaged by fire, you should contact our 24-hour Claims Team on 01 859 9700 who will advise you how to proceed. 

Penalty points and driving convictions 

You must disclose all penalty points and motoring convictions when applying for a car insurance policy. Some drivers may be tempted to hide penalty points to reduce costs on their premiums, but this can lead to invalidation of your insurance. Its4women policy holders should notify us immediately of any penalty points received during the term of their cover – rather than waiting until it comes up for renewal. For such queries, the best method of contact is via the live chat facility on our website. 

Always make sure you fully read your policy documents to understand what’s covered. You can find your policy documents within your online account, where you can manage your policy 24/7. Similar rules about disclosing penalty points and insurance apply in the Ireland, so it’s important to be aware of the regulations in both Ireland and the UK. 

Security and Extreme Conditions 

When it comes to keeping your car insurance valid, security and adapting to extreme conditions are crucial factors that many drivers overlook. Driving in challenging weather—like heavy rain, snow, or dense fog—can significantly increase the risk of an accident. If you’re found to be driving recklessly or failing to adjust your driving to suit the conditions, your insurance company may consider this a reason to invalidate your car insurance policy. To stay fully covered, always drive cautiously and be mindful of how weather can affect your vehicle’s performance and your reaction times. 

Securing your car is just as important as how you drive it. Always lock your doors and windows, and make use of any alarms or immobilizers your vehicle has. Not only does this help protect your car from theft, but it also ensures your insurance provider can’t deny a claim on the grounds of negligence. Failing to take basic security measures could result in your car insurance being invalidated, leaving you to cover the costs of any loss or damage yourself. 

Extreme weather doesn’t just affect how you drive—it can also damage your vehicle. Flooding, hail, and other severe conditions can cause significant harm, and if your insurance policy doesn’t cover these risks, you could be left out of pocket. Regularly review your car insurance policy to make sure you have the right level of coverage for weather-related incidents. Taking steps to protect your car, such as parking in a garage during storms or avoiding flood-prone areas, can also reduce your risk and help keep your car insurance valid. 

Where you keep your car matters, too. If you live or park in an area prone to extreme weather or with a high crime rate, your car insurance premium may be affected. Always provide your insurance company with accurate information about your vehicle’s storage and usage. Incorrect information, such as a wrong address, can automatically invalidate your car insurance and lead to serious legal consequences if you need to make a claim. 

If you’re involved in an accident or your car is damaged—no matter who is at fault—it’s crucial to report the incident to your insurance provider immediately. Failing to do so can result in your car insurance being invalidated, and you may be left to pay for repairs or damages yourself. Being honest and transparent with your insurer helps protect your coverage and ensures you’re fully covered when you need it most. 

Don't Invalidate your car insurance

Finally, make it a habit to regularly review your car insurance policy and understand the terms and conditions. Being aware of the factors that could invalidate your car insurance—such as failing to secure your vehicle, not reporting incidents, or providing incorrect information—can help you avoid costly mistakes. By taking these proactive steps, you can drive with confidence, knowing your car insurance is valid and you’re protected against unexpected incidents.