How Long Do You Have To Declare Accidents For On Your Car Insurance?
In the UK, you’re usually required to declare any car accidents or incidents from the past 5 years when applying for or renewing your car insurance. This applies whether the accident was your fault or not, even if you didn’t make a claim.
Failing to disclose this information can invalidate your policy, potentially leaving you uninsured when you need it most. So it’s always better to be upfront and honest.
Key points
Why Do Insurers Want to Know About Past Accidents?
Accidents, regardless of fault, can indicate your risk level to an insurer. The more incidents you’ve had, the more likely it is (in their eyes) that you’ll be involved in another.
Even minor bumps or accidents that didn’t result in a claim still need to be declared. Some insurers will ask specifically for:
- Accidents where you were at fault
- Non-fault accidents (someone else was responsible)
- Any incidents you reported, even if no claim was made
What Happens If You Don’t Declare?
If you leave out past accidents:
- Your policy could be cancelled
- Claims might be rejected
- You could struggle to get future cover or pay higher premiums
It’s not worth the risk; insurers share information through central databases, so they’ll likely find out anyway.
What if I genuinely forgot about an old accident?
It can happen, especially when it comes to minor incidents. If you realise you’ve done this after taking out a policy, contact your insurer as soon as possible; they may just update your details instead of penalising you.
Do I still have to declare it if I didn’t claim?
Yes. Insurers typically ask about all accidents, regardless of whether a claim was made.
How do insurers check my accident history?
Most use the Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE) database, which holds a record of car insurance claims and reported incidents.
Will an accident affect my premium even if it wasn’t my fault?
Sometimes, even if this seems unfair. Non-fault accidents can result in a higher premium, as insurers consider overall risk.
In Summary
- Failing to declare could invalidate your policy or lead to a claim being refused
- Insurers check shared databases, so honesty is always the best policy.
- Want to see how your history affects your premium? Compare car insurance quotes and find the right cover for your circumstances
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