South Africans warned to fully disclose all drivers on insurance policies

South African vehicle owners are being urged to provide full disclosure of all drivers using their vehicles when arranging car insurance. Failing to list every regular driver can lead to denied claims or voided coverage in the event of an accident. Ensuring accurate driver information is critical to avoid unexpected financial and legal consequences.

As carpooling and shared vehicle use become more common, multiple drivers may have unintended consequences for car insurance.

When you take out a policy, the insurer calculates your premium and risk rating based on the person listed as the ‘regular driver’. If that information is incorrect, you may find yourself facing a reduced payout or even a rejected claim, despite paying all your premiums.

Why identifying a regular driver matters

In insurance terms, the regular driver of a car is the person who operates it most frequently within a given period, usually a month. This might sound simple, but for households with only one car that is shared between a couple or between a parent and child, the answer may not be immediately obvious.

Some policyholders deliberately list the wrong person, often in an attempt to lower their premiums. We sometimes see, for example, that a parent will state they are the primary driver of a car that is actually being bought for their student child. While this might save money in the short term, it’s risky. If an accident occurs and the insurer discovers that the young driver was, in fact, the regular driver, the claim could be jeopardised.

Can other people still drive your car?

Sharing your car does not automatically invalidate your policy. It’s completely normal to allow a spouse, friend, or child to drive your car occasionally. Insurers expect this and will usually still cover you, provided that the correct regular driver is declared, the person driving is licensed, and all policy conditions are met.

However, some insurers may apply additional excess charges if someone other than the noted driver was behind the wheel at the time of the accident. Others may ask you to name all frequent drivers up front. This is why it’s so important to read your policy wording carefully and have an honest discussion with your insurer.

The benefits of full, up-to-date disclosure

The best policy is always to be upfront about who really drives your car. Not only does full disclosure reduce the likelihood of problems during the claims process, but it also has long-term benefits. For example, if your child is named as the regular driver, they begin to build their own insurance history, something that will stand them in good stead when they eventually need to take out a policy in their own name.

Honesty should extend beyond identifying the regular driver to keeping your policy up to date whenever your circumstances change. If you pass your car on to another member of your household, spend an extended period away while someone else uses your vehicle, or move to a new address that alters your parking arrangements. These are all important details your insurer needs to know.

Failing to disclose such changes can affect how your risk is assessed and whether a claim is paid out. Car insurance is designed to provide peace of mind. But that peace of mind only holds if the record information is accurate and up to date. 

* Sibeko is the executive head for personal lines at Miway.

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