MY CAR
What voids car insurance?
Like all insurance types, car insurance comes with certain conditions that must be met to maintain your cover. If you don’t hold up your end of the deal, you could see a potential claim rejected. There are a few common mistakes people make that can void their car insurance. But luckily, it’s pretty easy to avoid them!
Not paying your premium
This one might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s more common than you think. If you don’t pay your car insurance premiums on time, a claim could be refused and/or your policy could be cancelled. Nobody enjoys paying bills, but if you put paying your car insurance premium at the bottom of your to-do list, it could cost you in the long run if you miss the payments!
With the Suncorp Insurance App you can quickly and easily see when your premiums are due. You can even pay them online, so you always know you’re covered.
Download the Suncorp Insurance App
Unlicensed drivers
Not having a valid licence is another way people can void their car insurance. If you fail to renew your licence or are behind the wheel of a vehicle you’re not licensed to drive, don’t expect to be covered for any incidents that may occur.
It’s important to remember that you also won’t be covered if your licence has been suspended or disqualified.
In Queensland, you aren’t allowed to sleep in your car unless you’re on a designated camping ground.
Unlike in some other states, in Queensland there cannot be opened alcohol in the car. That means your passengers can’t sip on alcohol while you drive. Of course, drivers also cannot consume alcohol, even if they’re under the limit.
Make sure to do your own research on Queensland’s road rules.
Accidents happen… even when we follow all the road safety rules.
That’s why it’s important to have insurance cover for your car.
Plus, did you know you can get $50 off a new Suncorp Comprehensive Car Insurance policy when you quote and buy online?
Visit the Suncorp Insurance website to find out more.
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
If you get behind the wheel with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level over the legal limit, or while under the influence of drugs, your car insurance will be invalid. And remember, the legal BAC limits differ depending on what type of licence you hold, so make sure you know what limit applies to you.
It’s not only illegal substances you need to be careful of. Some medications can cause side effects like dizziness, aggression, drowsiness and light-headedness, which will affect your ability to drive. Check with your doctor if you’re not sure whether you can drive after taking them.
Reckless driving
If you or someone you’ve allowed to drive your car drives recklessly, your car insurance claim (caused by or involving this) will likely be rejected. This includes things like speeding, street racing, burnouts, doughnuts, driving into water or illegally using a mobile phone.
Old tyres
Looking after your tyres isn’t just important for your safety, it also keeps your car roadworthy and your car insurance valid. The minimum legal tyre tread depth is 1.5mm in Australia. Once it’s below this, you could not only void your insurance, but also cop a fine. Check your tyre tread levels regularly to ensure that your tyres are safe!
It’s important that you maintain a vehicle that’s roadworthy in general. We may not pay your claim if your vehicle wasn’t roadworthy when the accident occurred. For e.g. if your car has faulty brakes or its lights aren’t working. Check your PDS for the full details.
Modifying your car and not telling your insurer
There’s nothing wrong with giving your car a fancy upgrade. But if you don’t tell your insurer about these modifications or accessories and get into an accident, it could get complicated for you. If you don’t let your insurer know when you make changes to your car, it’s technically no longer the car you insured, and you may have changed its value, roadworthiness, safety and/or performance. Keep your insurer up to date on any modifications or accessories added to your car.
Overloading your car
If you’re carrying more passengers than your car was designed for (or than the driver is permitted to carry by law), it’s safe to say that any claims you make (that involve or arise from this) will be rejected. The same applies if you’re carrying a load that’s not secured properly according to the law, over the legal limit or more than what your car was designed to carry.
Different policies can have different exclusions, so it’s always a good idea to read your PDS or contact your insurer if you have any questions. If you’re an existing Suncorp Car Insurance customer, visit the Suncorp Insurance App or our website to find your PDS or for more information.
Explore Suncorp Comprehensive Insurance
Read more:
- Which car claims are most common?
- How often should you service your car?
- What is new for old car replacement?
Insurance is issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as Suncorp Insurance. Read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. The Target Market Determination is also available. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.
The information is intended to be of general nature only. Subject to any rights you may have under any law, we do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss or damage, including loss of business or profits or any other indirect loss, incurred as a result of reliance upon the information. Please make your own enquiries.
