Taking Care Of Your Car When You’re On The Move
Moving house is a major life experience- exciting, challenging, tiring. And if it’s not planned properly, it can quickly become a very overwhelming one too. There’s a lot to organise – from finding a reputable firm of local movers to itemising and packing all your belongings to setting up redirects for your mail. With everything there is to remember, it’s not surprising that some small details may get neglected – including arrangements for your car. The vehiclar side of things also needs updating when you move – here’s our quick guide to sorting your wheels when you do move house.
A Change of Insurance
It’s hugely important to inform your insurance company as soon as your address changes. Don’t leave it on the list as something you’ll ‘get around to’. Accidents happen all the time, unexpectedly, and if your insurers don’t have the right details, your policy is automatically invalid and you won’t be covered. Your insurer may refuse to make a payment in the event of a claim if they do not hold the correct details about you. You may also find that the cost of your premium changes. Insurers use lots of different data points to calculate the cost of your policy, and your address is a significant one. They will have up to date details of car crime and accident statistics in the area, and use this information to understand risk and therefore the price you’re offered. So you may find a new post code has an effect on your monthly payments. Even if you haven’t moved in yet, inform your insurer of an upcoming change of address. Then if you’re near your renewal date, you know if you’ll want to look elsewhere if your premium is set to increase as a consequence of the move.
Paying the Price
You may also be charged an administration fee for changing the address on your policy. The cost will be set out in the terms and conditions that you signed when originally taking out the policy, so dig them out! If you are just about to switch policies before moving, it’s worth negotiating with a new supplier and getting them to agree to waive the charge if they want you as a new customer. If you do have to pay, it’s a little annoying but far better than being without cover, which could end up costing you thousands, plus jail time.
Your Driving Licence and Log Book
It’s also a legal requirement that your driving licence holds the correct address, as well as your vehicle log book (VC5). You can update your details through the DVLA, and this process can be carried out online if you have a Government Gateway ID (the log on for all central government records). If you don’t have one, they are relatively straightforward to set up but you will need a few personal details to hand, such as your National
Insurance number. If you are asked to produce your licence by police or authorities, and it has an incorrect address on, you could face a penalty of £1000. If you don’t want to do it online, you can also pick up a form from your local Post Office and change your address details by post. Your VC5 does not automatically update if you do your licence- you will need to update that separately- if not your Road tax renewal reminder will be sent to the wrong address, and you could receive a fine.