3 Things That Could Compromise Your Insurance Cover

Car insurance is a fundamental aspect of responsible vehicle ownership, providing financial protection against unexpected accidents, damages, and liabilities. However, many drivers may unknowingly engage in behaviours or actions that could potentially compromise their car insurance coverage.

Here are some of the things to be careful of.

Disclosed Information

One common mistake that could invalidate your car insurance is providing inaccurate or false information when applying for coverage.

Insurance companies rely on accurate details regarding your vehicle, driving history, and personal information to determine appropriate coverage and premiums. Intentionally misrepresenting facts, such as omitting previous accidents or providing incorrect mileage estimates, constitutes insurance fraud and can lead to policy cancellation.

If you fail to disclose relevant information about modifications or alterations made to your vehicle, this can also invalidate your car insurance. As far as modifications, this includes engine upgrades, suspension alterations, and even extend to aesthetic changes. It’s essential that you notify your insurer about any modifications to ensure that your insurance cover remains valid.

Driver Cover

Another mistake that could invalidate your insurance cover is allowing unauthorised drivers to operate your vehicle. Most insurance policies specify who is authorised to drive the insured vehicle, typically including the policyholder and any additional drivers listed on the policy.

In some cases, unlisted individuals may also be afforded cover, but this depends on the policy. If your policy does not cover unlisted drivers, allowing such individuals to drive your car may nullify your insurance coverage in the event of an accident.

Driving Behaviour

Engaging in reckless or negligent driving behaviour can also invalidate your insurance coverage. Some of the things that this might cover include driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, participating in illegal street racing, or using your vehicle for commercial purposes without proper insurance coverage. You also have a legal obligation to maintain your vehicle in a roadworthy condition, which means regular servicing and repairs, otherwise you may forfeit your cover.

If you are involved in an accident, you have an obligation to report such an event as soon as possible otherwise you may risk your coverage and could also lead to your claim being denied. Each insurer will have a standard process to follow, and any delays in reporting accidents is unlikely to be viewed favourably.

Maintaining Cover

No one wants to be out of pocket for an accident, that’s why we buy insurance cover. But that isn’t the end of it. Make sure that you are not doing anything that might compromise your insurance coverage. That means you should provide accurate information about the car, ensure that all drivers of the car are listed (or that your policy provides some flexibility for unlisted drivers), and engage in responsible driving behaviour.

Last but not least, if you forget to renew your car insurance policy before it expires, even allowing for any ‘grace’ period, you may find yourself without insurance coverage. On this basis, you should pay close attention to the policy’s renewal date and ensure timely payment to maintain continuous coverage.

Throwing Some Light On The Subject Of Lights

Once upon a time, cars were fitted with carbide lights, practically identical to the sort old-school miners wore on their helmets.  These had to be lit with a match, a cigarette lighter or, if you were lucky, a built in flint and steel striking mechanism.  They weren’t in the business long, as electric lights were put on cars in around 1912 or so.  We’ve certainly come a long way since then and we’ve got more than a pair of carbide lanterns.  If you’ve thought about adding some aftermarket tweaks to your vehicle, lights are some of the first things that we can try adjusting or adding.  However, it pays to know what you’re talking about, so let’s look at what’s what.

Headlights

These are your bread and butter basics.  They are there to stop you running into things at night and see where the road goes.  They probably don’t need any introduction, but we’ll touch on them briefly.  They are at the front and they’re white.  The idea is that they illuminate as far as possible when on full beam and are dipped when another vehicle comes the other way.  We know how they work.  However, please remember the following: (1) you turn them on when there’s not enough light to see a person in dark clothing 100 m away, i.e., when the sun is below the horizon; (2) don’t play Headlight Chicken where you see who dips first.

Auxiliary Lights

Auxiliary lights are the ones that aren’t the bog-standard headlights, indicators and taillights.  Not all cars have them when they roll off the factory floor, but many of them can be fitted as after-market mods.  They’re particularly popular on off-roading vehicles, and for good reason.  If you’re going out into the middle of nowhere, you really need to see all the rocks, holes and wandering animals, so more lights are needed (doubly so if you go spotlighting for rabbits).

Let’s have a look at the different sorts and what they’re for.

Fog Lights

Fog lights are for moments when something’s blurring visibility rather than for when it’s dark.  Fog lights tend to keep the beam of light low so that it lights up the road but doesn’t hit the fog or dust and make the problem worse.  If the light hits the dust or fog, then it will be scattered and make visibility worse.

Fog lights can be either amber or white.  They have to turn off and on separately from the headlights.  You’re not supposed to use them at night time as auxiliary lights, and you’re not supposed to use them at all unless the conditions warrant it.  

Daytime Running Lights

Daytime running lights, commonly abbreviated DRLs, are lights fitted to the front of a vehicle that aren’t there so the driver can see but so that they can be seen. They’re supposed to be wired so that they go off when the headlights go on (unless you’re flashing your headlights temporarily to alert another driver about something, like the fact that their boot is open). 

In some places, DRLs are required by law on all new vehicles.  I’m not sure whether I agree with this or not. Certainly, out on the open road on an overcast day, DRLs have alerted me to a grey car on a grey road under a grey sky that would otherwise be hard to pick. However, around town, when every vehicle has DRLs and everything around them seems to have lights or at least be reflective, DRLs fall victim to the “if everyone’s special, then nobody’s special” syndrome and they don’t act as a warning of the presence of another vehicle more than the big metal box on wheels they’re mounted on.

Additional Driving Lights

Additional driving lights are like your headlights but they’re in addition to your headlights.  Instead of having two headlights (or, in quite a few cases, four), you can have four (or six).  Because they’re not as sophisticated as your main headlights, they only come on when the headlights are on high beam and should go off when you dip the headlights.  This is for the simple reason that these auxiliary lights can’t dip, so if they stayed on, they’d dazzle the oncoming driver.  They are sometimes called spotlights or spots. 

The exact laws about where you can install additional driving lights vary slightly from state to state and they seem to be updated all the time. The general idea is that you are supposed to install them symmetrically about the centre of the vehicle’s bumper and that you can’t put them somewhere that could be dangerous, either because they protrude like horns or because they block the driver’s vision or dazzle the driver.  In general, if you put lights on the front of your 4×4 so that they are surrounded by the bull bars rather than sticking out from them in front or on the side, you’re all good. 

Light bars are a subcategory of additional driving light. Light bars are made up of a strip of LED lights, all acting in tandem.  Legally, they are considered to be one light if they all turn on and off at the same time; if different bits turn on and off at different times, each bit of the light bar is considered to be a separate light.  As lights must be mounted symmetrically around the front of the car, you can have a single light bar in the front and centre of your vehicle.

The ultimate in auxiliary lights or spotlights is the roof-mounted rack of lights that you’ll see on some 4x4s and are popular with hunters going out after dark.  These are not legal in all states of Australia under all circumstances, with some states allowing them for use by hunting or when the vehicle is stationary or when the vehicle is off-road.  These rules also seem to be updated every time you turn around, so check what applies to you before going to the effort and expense of buying or fitting them.

Puddle lights

The sole purpose of a puddle light is to cast a patch of light on the ground beside the door – very useful if you don’t want to put your best shoes into a puddle or a pile of dog poo. Some of the cars that have them as standard have a clever design so as well as throwing a patch of light onto the ground, it can also throw down a logo as a shadow – or even a patch of light thanks to LED tech. Aftermarket puddle lights are also out there, some of which have some quite quirky styles.

Is Enough Being Done on Driver Education?

We’ve been wondering for a while now, with driver technology vastly better than it has ever been, but road fatalities going in the wrong direction, is enough being done on driver education? Of course, who you ask may afford you a different answer because driver education programs in themselves have become a point of differing views among policymakers, educators, and concerned citizens alike.

What is Driver Education?

Driver education seeks to equip aspiring motorists with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for safe and responsible driving. More traditional programs typically focus on a mix of classroom instruction with practical on-road training, but also delve into education as far as traffic laws, hazard awareness, vehicle mechanics, and defensive driving techniques.

The Criticisms of Driver Education

Although few, if anyone would take issue with the intended outcomes of such programs, there is a viewpoint that takes exception with driver education programs.

For starters, such criticism often focuses on the fact that accidents involving young drivers, who are the primary recipients of driver education, remain greater than other age groups.

What’s more, the correlation between driver education courses and reduced accident rates is one that isn’t exactly overwhelming. And some would even go as far as to say other factors relating to the individual or third parties probably accounts for any discrepancy.

The Issue with Such a Data-Driven Focus

By the numbers, it might be hard to find conclusive data supporting the efficacy of driver education programs. But this should not be the only metric for analysis. After all, there is little doubt that the intended outcomes of such programs are to foster a culture of responsible driving and increased awareness and decision making skills on the road.

In addition, driver education provides a foundation for lifelong learning courtesy of the base understanding it provides with regards to traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. Drivers are brought up through a culture that instills a sense of responsibility, which lasts beyond the duration of the time they are completing a driver education program.

At a societal level, driver education also serves as a conduit for social change, fostering a collective commitment to road safety within communities. Road users are more collaborative as far as their understanding in how they share the road with one another, in a way that you might say reflects mutual consideration and risk reduction.

We must not also forget that driver education can provide the best-case virtual reality scenario of dangerous scenarios in a controlled environment. These sort of demonstrations are the only real practice one can get for preparing to real-world dangers, and in the real world, no one would want to enter such situations without knowing how to respond.

The Key Takeaway

The efficacy of driver education should not be measured solely by accident statistics. Ultimately, the value of such programs also rests in its ability to serve as a catalyst for positive change.

By equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for safe and responsible driving, these programs lay the groundwork for a future where road users can display respect for one another in a way that reduces risks to all.

In this sense, the question should not be whether driver education works, but rather how we can enhance and expand its reach.

Should Defensive Driving Courses be Mandatory?

With traffic congestion an ever-present challenge, and the road toll increasing more than 7% in 2023, the debate surrounding defensive driving courses has gained momentum. While some argue that such courses infringe upon personal freedom, others contend that they are essential for creating a safer road environment. Let’s take a look at some of the potential benefits for making defensive driving courses mandatory for all motorists.

The Need for Defensive Driving Skills

Road accidents continue to be a leading cause of fatalities and injuries globally. Many of these incidents are preventable, often stemming from human error, recklessness, or a lack of awareness. Defensive driving courses equip drivers with the necessary skills to anticipate and respond to potential hazards, reducing the likelihood of accidents and promoting responsible driving behavior.

Increased Traffic Complexity

As urban areas expand and traffic congestion worsens, the complexity of driving conditions has escalated. Motorists are faced with a myriad of challenges, including distracted driving, road rage, and the integration of new tech. Defensive driving courses provide individuals with the tools to navigate these complexities safely, promoting a heightened sense of situational awareness on the road.

Insurance Benefits

Advocates for mandatory defensive driving courses often highlight the potential insurance benefits associated with completing such programs. Insurance providers frequently offer discounts to drivers who have undergone defensive driving training, recognising the reduced risk these individuals pose on the road. Mandatory courses could, therefore, serve as a financial incentive for motorists, encouraging them to enhance their driving skills for personal and societal benefits.

Legal Implications and Accountability

Opponents argue that mandating defensive driving courses infringes on personal freedom and individual rights. However, it can be argued that driving is a privilege, not a right, and as such, individuals should be held accountable for their actions on the road. Mandatory courses can serve as a reasonable measure to ensure that all drivers are adequately trained and aware of their responsibilities, contributing to a collective commitment to road safety.

Traffic Infringements

Studies have shown that individuals who undergo defensive driving courses are less likely to engage in risky behaviours and commit traffic infringements. Mandatory courses can act as a deterrent, reducing the incidence of speeding, reckless driving, and other hazardous activities on the road. This, in turn, contributes to overall traffic safety and the wellbeing of all road users.

While the debate on mandating defensive driving courses continues, the potential benefits of such a measure are undeniable. For starters, it would equip drivers with the skills to navigate increasingly complex road conditions, promote safer road behaviour, and reduce the likelihood of accidents. As society continues to evolve, prioritising road safety through education and accountability becomes paramount for building a safer, more responsible driving culture.