Car insurance is a legal requirement and a good policy can save thousands of pounds. As your insurance company could potentially have to pay out thousands of pounds in the unfortunate event of an accident or theft, they're usually pretty careful at making sure everything is done correctly. To that end, here are a few ways of invalidating your insurance that you should try to avoid.

1. If You Do Not Disclose An Accident

Tempting as it may be if you have been building up a no claims bonus for the past four years, non-disclosure of an accident is one of the top ways that people end up invalidating their insurance. Insurers offer cheaper policies to those who can prove that they are safe drivers, if you've had a smash and not informed the company, if they find out it will almost certainly invalidate your insurance.

2. If You're Not the Named Driver

It's much cheaper to be the second or third driver on a parent or older siblings policy. However, if this is the case and you happen to be the person who drives the car the most, this invalidates your policy. Insurance Companies insure the car in regards to whom they think is driving it, if you have a parent on with twenty years of experience, it's not surprising that the insurance company deem them less likely to have an accident than someone who has just passed. So if you are the principle driver of the car, make sure you're named on the insurance policy, it may cost more, but could save more if something goes wrong.

3. Door Locks

Car insurance is not only about financial cover in case of an accident, it also covers things like theft. Just with a house if you leave the front door open, your car insurance will be invalid if your car is stolen and you have left the doors unlocked. You have to demonstrate that you have taken all reasonable steps to keep your car safe, and therefore make it less likely of being stolen and the insurance company having to pay out.

4. False Declarations

If you offer incorrect information to the insurance company about just about any aspect of your life it can have an effect on the validity of your insurance. As mentioned above, age is important, but also things like where you live (if you don't notify the company of a change of address), or the value of the car (if you have new parts put in). Insurance companies consider a wide range of different factors when they give you a policy, so you have to be as honest as possible about everything otherwise you may find that when you need it your policy is invalid.

And One Other…

Not having an M.O.T may not, in fact, invalidate your policy. It is illegal to drive a car that does not have an M.O.T and as such is a civil matter rather than to do with your insurance company. Of course, if you are found to drive without an M.O.T insurance companies may not offer to cover you in future, or the cost of your policy could be very high. At any rate, not having an M.O.T is illegal, so it's best just to get your car checked.

In regards to insurance, honesty really is the best policy in order to guarantee that your cover is still valid should you suddenly find that you need it. When looking for a car insurance policy in the first place ASDA and the Co-Operative offer some particularly affordable car insurance, and they both come as recommended websites to begin your search.