Could you be uninsured without knowing it?

Don't let simple mistakes cost you.

Learn about common motor insurance mistakes

Sometimes a simple misunderstanding or overlooked detail on your policy can leave you uninsured without realising it.

Check these common mistakes to make sure you're covered every time you get before you get behind the wheel.

An adult securing a child in a car seat with a seatbelt.

Seven common motor insurance mistakes

Take a minute to check if any of these apply to you.

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Are your payment details up to date?

Missed or failed payments can cause your policy to be cancelled, so keep an eye on your bank statements and insurer communications. If you believe you have auto-renew set up, double check it’s still active.
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Are your details correct?

Even small errors, such as an incorrect date of birth or vehicle registration, can affect your cover. Check your policy carefully and tell your insurer if any of your personal details change.
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What are you using your vehicle for?

Your insurance must match how you use your vehicle. For example, commuting to work, business use, or delivering food and parcels may all require different types of cover.
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Are you really the main driver?

Listing a more experienced driver, such as a parent, as the main driver to reduce the cost of insurance is called fronting and is a form of fraud. If you use the vehicle most often, you should be named as the main driver.
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Can you drive someone else's car?

Many policies do not include 'Drive Other Vehicle' cover as standard. Where it is included, restrictions often apply such as the drivers age or relationship to the vehicle owner. Always check your policy or consider short-term insurance.
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Where is your insurance from?

Be cautious of unusually cheap insurance deals, particularly on social media. These may be scams run by Ghost Brokers. Always make sure your provider is a member of MIB or BIBA.
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Have you made any vehicle modifications?

Changes to your vehicle, including cosmetic modifications such as new wheels or spoilers, must usually be declared to your insurer. Failure to do so could invalidate your cover.

Check your insurance status

Check Your Vehicle is a free online service that allows you to check if a vehicle you own or have the legal right to drive is recorded as insured on the UK's central motor insurance database.
Check now

Why getting your motor insurance right matters

Having motor insurance isn’t just a box ticking exercise. A valid policy protects you financially, keeps you on the right side of the law, and ensures you’re supported if something goes wrong.

If you're found driving uninsured or not properly insured, you'll face serious and long‑lasting consequences.

Police officer speaking to a driver during a roadside check.
Consequence

£300 fixed penalty notice for driving uninsured

Consequence

Six points on your licence for driving not properly insured

Consequence

Your vehicle seized by police and potentially crushed

Consequence

Unlimited fine and potential driving ban if the case goes to court

Consequence

Harmed job prospects due to a driving conviction

Consequence

£1,000 increase to average future motor premiums

Why is tackling uninsured driving so important?

Getting motor insurance right protects you in the case of a collision and helps make sure you’re not unknowingly driving uninsured. But uninsured driving also has a wider societal and economic impact:

£1 billion

cost to the UK economy every single year

1 person

killed every week by an uninsured driver

1 person

suffers life-changing injuries every single day

335,000

uninsured drivers on UK roads on any given day

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