It’s been officially 1 year since we started trading here at motorly ????
So we’ve put together an update with some of our milestones in our first year – but first here’s a big happy birthday to us! ?
Customers ?
Over 70,000 customers have applied for car, bike, van or caravan finance with motorly. That’s an incredible number of customers for our first year! We’re delighted to be able to serve so many customers and help people find the best car finance deal available to them. Our goal is to help over 1 million people!
Reviews ?
We’ve gained over 1,100 reviews on Reviews.io and a huge 96% of these company reviewers do recommend motorly. Our review and rating on Facebook are currently at 4.0 out of 5. There have been some great reviews from happy customers. This is our favourite so far, from Facebook reviews:
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Great service, fast and reliable, very courteous, made buying what seemed to be the impossible extremely easy, lots of communication all the way … fabulous company will deffo be using again in the future” – Scott Hickinson, Facebook user and motorly customer.
Products ?
Motorly has an array of motoring products on offer and we’re excited to launch many more in 2020. We offer car, bike, caravan and van finance. Also we offer insurance, breakdown and also a car selling service too.
Not only have we welcomed over 70,000 customers to motorly with but we have also launched a range of motoring products and offerings. Ranging from car finance and insurance to breakdown cover.
Partners ?
We’ve been lucky enough to work with over 100 partners. These businesses range from insurance brokers and lenders to motorbike clothing businesses and breakdown recovery companies.
We’re looking forward to working with lots of more companies and offering and launching more products in 2020.
Altrincham FC ⚽️
Motorly is very proud that we are an official sponsor of Altrincham FC. We love to support local businesses, as we are especially proud to be an Altrincham based company. It’s been great to get involved with the local football team and even go to a few games to show our support too. We had a great team day out watching them beat Farsley Celtic 3-1 at home!
There are many different football fans here at motorly, there’s a mixture of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Altrincham FC fans – so it can get quite competitive as you would imagine! But we’re very proud to support Altrincham FC as a business. They had a great run in the Emirates FA Cup this year – Up The Robins! #TheRobins #AltyFC ⚽️?
Social media ?
We have recently celebrated hitting over 2,000 likes on Facebook ?
Instagram is just behind with over 700 followers and on Twitter over 100 followers. We’re constantly populating all of our social media pages with interesting, relevant yet fun content featuring motoring tips & tricks. We do this through a range of organic posts, quizzes, competitions, advertisements and boosted posts.
We’re very happy with our current festive profile picture across our social media platforms, we’ve embraced the time of year and introduced a Santa hat on to our motorly logo.
Email marketing ?
With over 40,000 contacts in our database we email them once a week to invite them to enjoy great offers, deals, competitions, tips & tricks. In November of 2019, we sent over 150,000 emails! ?
Currently we are using the all-in-one email marketing platform Mailchimp to deliver our emails. However, we are looking to change this provider early into the New Year of 2020.
Team news ?
The team went to Chester Races on Friday the 13th of September. Arguably, not the best day to place your bets! However, we all had a great day out together as a team in the sun and even won a quid or two. Thanks again Sir Maximillion ?
In October, we hit up Flight Club in Manchester for some darts and drinks. This was a very different day for the motorly team, and some were much better at darts than others! Another great day out for the team to celebrate our shared successes ?
It’s been a great first year for us here at motorly – keep an eye out for us in the future as we expand and launch more and more products to benefit our customers in 2020 ???
Safety is paramount when taking to the roads in any vehicle. Motorbikes are notorious for being the most dangerous vehicle on the roads. But with fatalities on a steady decline since 2008, riders are more aware now than ever of the potential hazards and how best to avoid them.
Here we’ve broken down the top ways that riders can avoid accidents. By taking these points into account before every ride, you will have a better understanding of the roads and how to avoid common incidents.
Collisions at junctions
Again, motorbikers put themselves in danger when travelling through junctions, particularly T-junctions. Many other drivers can fail to see a biker in these instances. However, frequent accidents at junctions are often the fault of a car driver, rather than a biker. It has been revealed that many car drivers can find it difficult to judge to speed that a bike is travelling at and this can be a contributing factor.
However, it is the responsibility of the biker to make sure that they are as visible as possible, even brightly coloured clothing and helmets can come in handy here. You could decide to think about how you would handle a car pulling out on you unexpectedly. Unfortunately, this can happen and lead to accidents more often than not.
Corners on country roads
Many bikers will have learned how to ride in towns and cities. So when heading out on a windy country road, it is important to be wary that left-hand bends can be particularly treacherous.
The problem with these bends is that you don’t know exactly what they are going to be like until you ride through them. Road signs will help to a certain extent, but knowing how your bike will cope on a bend can be new each time. Problems can arise when a biker may cross over the centre line in the road to navigate through a corner. Obviously, if an oncoming vehicle is heading round at the same time this can cause major accidents.
Bends and corners can open up once you head into them, others can be quite tight and difficult to safely drive through as a biker. You need to be able to read the road and notice which tactic is best to take when tackling a corner. Being aware of different roads and road conditions are all important elements that will make you a better, more experienced and ultimately a safer rider.
Overtaking
When overtaking on a motorbike, as a rider you need to know the power of your bike and what it is capable of doing. This is pretty basic driving stuff, with most of it applying to car drivers too. However, most of the time a motorbike can overtake much faster than a car, but it is still important to be extra-vigilant in your overtaking and only to do this when it is safe. You should never overtake on a blind bend, at a junction or on hills.
Filtering
The manouver of filtering is when a biker moves through queues of slow-moving or stationary traffic. This method of riding is completely legal, and you will often see motorbikes and cyclists moving through traffic in this way. Sometimes people may refer to this as lane splitting.
It is important to keep your speed low when filtering, we would advise that anything over 15-20mph could be a dangerous speed to do this at. You need to make sure that as a biker you are seen by other vehicles. If you are filtering at a high speed then other cars may not see you and this is precisely how accidents occur.
Loss of control
Losing control of a bike can be a scary thought. Plus, as many of these points that we have highlighted show, these issues can arise and are often not the bikers fault. Many problems with the roads for bikers can come from badly surfaced roads or damage. Potholes can often be difficult to spot on a bike when travelling at high speed. Equally, diesel spillages are extremely slippery and can send a biker travelling off course, ending up with them losing control of their vehicle.
Accidents with other drivers can cause a rider to lose control of a bike, for example, if a rider has been shunted from behind. You can help to avoid this by leaving plenty of room between the vehicle in front of you. It is always important to take pictures of any accident that you have, this includes the state of the road that you were travelling on, especially if it is the condition of the road that has caused or contributed to your crash.
There is plenty more that can be done to avoid accidents, and the best way to protect yourself is to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible. If you’re looking for bike finance, see if we can help you here.
Whether you are new to the caravanning world or an experienced camper, we’ve brought together our Top 10 Essential Caravan Accessories. A caravan trip can be a nice way to spend your holiday, so make sure you take these essentials with you.
Kettle
After towing your caravan, unpacking and setting up the awning there’s nothing better than a nice cup of tea. A kettle may seem like an obvious choice, but if you forgot to take one you would regret it! We recommend having a designated kettle that stays in the caravan all year long to avoid any brew-related mishaps ☕️
Hitch Lock
Even at a holiday park, it is good practice once you’ve arrived to use a hitch lock on your towable vehicle. Hitch locks are not only a visible deterrent for thieves, but a decent one also works as great protection for your caravan and peace of mind. Make sure you protect your caravan and belongings with a well-fitting hitch lock ?
BBQ
UK British holidays are not known for the great weather, but a BBQ whatever the weather is! Even when it rains us Brits are known for setting up a BBQ and persevering no matter what. But you never know, if the sunshine does come out then a caravan holiday is the perfect opportunity to fire up the BBQ ?
Leisure Battery
Most campsites and caravan holiday parks should have full electric hookups, but it’s always a good idea to have a backup battery just in case anything goes awry. Purchasing a battery for your caravan can help to avoid any unnecessary holiday stresses – remember the kettle we mentioned earlier ?
Camping Stove
Outdoor cooking is one of the true joys of camping holidays. You can pick up a good quality camping stove at a pretty reasonable price. Most caravans do have small grills and ovens, possibly even space for a mini microwave too. But here at motorly, we like to take advantage of being in the outdoors and fire up the camping stove ?
Caravan Step
Caravans are much higher off the ground than people expect. It would be very difficult to get in or out of one without a step! Make sure you measure the gap from the ground to your caravan door. Once you have the right measurements you can find the correct step for you. Sturdiness is very important when selecting your caravan step ?
Fresh Water Carrier
Fresh running water is something we take for granted, especially before going on a caravan holiday. Caravan’s do not have water facilities unless you have a water carrier which you can then pump through your caravan. We recommend getting a 40-litre sized carrier to minimise refills – as these are very heavy once full! ?
Portable WiFi
If you like to go online frequently then ensuring a WiFi connection on holiday will be very important. An additional portable WiFi device is a great option for camping trips. Or you might want to have a break from the online world on your holiday, taking the opportunity to go off-grid for a week or two ?
Gas Cylinder
A gas cylinder is a caravan essential when it comes to cooking and heating. Once you know a little bit more about where you will be travelling and when, you can then decide which gas is best for your needs, propane or butane. You can then fill up at most petrol stations across the UK. We would also suggest fitting a carbon monoxide alarm in your caravan too ⛽️
Towing Mirrors
We recommend that when towing a vehicle, no matter the size, that you attach towing mirrors to your car. Towing mirrors give drivers additional visibility as some caravans may be wider than your car, so seeing past them can be an issue. You can find towing mirrors at a fair price. A decent set should last you for the majority of your towing life ?
Motorly Bonus Tip
Board games and cards are a caravan holiday tradition. Whether your game of choice is rummy or monopoly, these classics are sure to keep the family entertained when the UK rain inevitably hits. They also provide backup entertainment for any unexpected losses of power during your camping holiday. Who’s turn is it next? ?
How best to store your motorbike over winter
As the winter months close in, you may find yourself using your motorbike less and less.
Most bikers like to put their vehicle away during the colder, icier and more dangerous months of the year. The roads can be particularly treacherous across these last few months, especially for bikers.
You might be the type of biker who likes to try to get out whenever you can. There will usually be a time that you do decide to put the bike away. Even though we know you don’t want to!
We understand that some riders like to continue biking all year round. However, if you want to play it safe and put the bike away for winter, there are a few things you will need to do…
Go For a Ride
Yes, we mean it – really! Not only to enjoy one last ride before you put the bike away for its winter hibernation, but this will also give the bike a good run out. Allowing you to check everything is in working order. Letting the bike to run before having time off the roads too. We recommend going for a long ride out, anything from half an hour or longer.
Clean Your Motorbike
Next, before putting your bike away we would recommend giving it a good clean. This will make sure that all traces of dirt and dampness have been removed. Helping to minimise any part of the bike decaying whilst not in use. Use any old material you may have to block the bike exhaust and any other areas of the bike that have holes in. Blocking these holes whilst the bike is not in use will stop any damp air from getting inside of the bike and causing hidden damage.
Protect the Battery
You may want to choose to disconnect your battery whilst storing your bike away. However, this can be an issue if you have an alarm fitted. Alternatively, you may want to fit a battery conditioner to your bike which will help to keep the battery in tip-top condition. Poor weather can damage the battery. It’s important to make sure that you have protected the battery, so you don’t fall into the trap of purchasing a new battery every year.
Change Liquids
You can either completely change or top up your bike’s fluids before putting the bike away. Many bikers do change all liquids before storing, but some choose to top up the fluids to prevent evaporation. We would recommend completely changing all liquids in your bike. You can also opt to simply top up and use oil to help to stop rusting too.
Prep Tyres
To make sure that your tyres survive the winter and a few months of rest, you need to make sure you prep them correctly. You can do this by inflating them to the correct tyre pressure. Check your tyre pressure with a good quality pressure gauge. Cheaper pressure gauges can be quite off, they may even give you an incorrect reading which is unhelpful and could potentially be dangerous. It is also a good idea to rotate the tyres every few weeks to stop tyre damage.
Store Indoors
Make sure wherever you choose to store your bike is dry. This is important so that condensation doesn’t start to form which can then in turn trigger corrosion of your bike. Covering your bike with a non-plastic material that will allow air to circulate is also a good idea, to keep the dust and dirt away. We recommend storing the bike with both wheels off the ground if at all possible. This will help the tyres to stay in good condition and stop them from going down or falling out of shape.
Then you are prepped to get the motorbike out and on to the roads in Spring, ready to go!
To get a free personalised quote for a motorbike today, visit motorly:finance
The team at motorly managed to catch an advanced showing of Ford v Ferrari at the cinema two weeks before UK general release. All thanks to Cineworld’s latest secret screening in Manchester. This is what we made of the latest Hollywood motoring movie.
Le Mans ‘66 or Ford v Ferrari, as the movie is named in the US, is an inspiring retelling of true events surrounding American muscle car designer Carroll Shelby and British racing car driver Ken Miles. The movie follows this dynamic pair as they take on corporate politics and tackle personal obstacles, entering the 1966 Le Mans race with the first Ford GT40 racing car – where they made history.
Resolve, passion and self-belief take Shelby and Miles to the top of the American racing car world. Several pushbacks from self-serving employees at both Ford and Ferrari see Shelby and Miles up against the odds. It’s a story of corporate executives vs true petrolheads, they want to sell cars, we want to win races. This duo embodies the idea of the lovable rogue and has the audience rooting for these motoring underdogs.
We’re lighter, we’re faster, and if that don’t work, we’re nastier. – Carroll Shelby
Matt Damon gives an emotional and real performance as Carroll Shelby, bringing a true feeling of warmness to the movie. Damon was our personal favourite of the two leading men. Christian Bale gleefully captures the infamous British wit as the ever charismatic Ken Miles. Classic English insults fly around the movie and feature heavily, bringing an element of humour to this otherwise tragic tale. Although, we did find Bale slightly more panto in his portrayal than Damon. However, Bale’s high energy, intense and oh-so-loud racing scenes injected a major shot of adrenaline into the cinematic experience.
Admittedly, we weren’t 100% on the outcome of Le Mans ‘66 or the intricate details of the story (shhh, don’t judge us) when heading in to see the film. However, this all worked in our favour as a movie-goer as this helped to keep the pace, energy and tension high throughout. That can be the downside of a biopic and retelling of true events. The audience already knows the ending. So we can not say how well the film delivers when you do already know the full story and what happens – we’re seriously avoiding spoilers here!
It would have been nice to have had more of a lengthy tribute to Shelby, and particularly Miles at the end of the movie, that did feel a little rushed. However, when taking the entire 2 hours 33-minute movie as a tribute to these men, it is a triumph.
Ultimately, Le Mans ‘66 or Ford v Ferrari, the title we prefer, is a heart-warming, inspiring tale of two underdogs taking on the corporate world with the odds stacked against them, earning their place in racing history. The wonderful thing about Le Mans ‘66, is that it’s not just a movie simply about cars. It’s so much more than that. Themes of friendship, family and drive (forgive the pun) run throughout James Mangold’s latest biopic starring Christain Bale and Matt Damon. Whether you’re a racing car fanatic or not, this film is certainly one to be enjoyed by all.
I’ve always been asked, ‘What is my favourite car?’ and I’ve always said, ‘The next one.’ – Carroll Shelby
Looking for your next Ford or Ferrari? Apply for car finance with motorly today. Or see if you are lucky enough to win a car in this Best of the Best competition below ?
To celebrate Halloween, we’ve rounded up 10 of the spookiest vehicles. Ranging from imaginary cartoons to historical machines of horror, check out the Top 10 scariest on-screen cars. Do you have a favourite Halloween car? Comment and let us know!
Arguably the most iconic vehicle in pop culture history, the Ecto-1 is a unique creation from the Miller-Meteor company. This ambulance and hearse combination was created from a Cadillac professional chassis and heavily modified to fulfil its purpose of capturing and transporting gruesome ghouls across New York City.
1958 Plymouth Fury – Christine (1983)
Don’t be fooled by this car’s inviting appearance, Christine is the most deadly car in cinema. The difference between Christine and our other selections is that the murderer is not driving or in the car, she IS the car. This 1980’s classic taken from the mind of Stephen King puts a new spin on the meaning of horror cars. “How do you kill something that can’t possibly be alive?”
1957 Ford Fairlane – Psycho (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock’s classic horror Psycho immortalised the Ford Fairlane. After stealing over $40,000 dollars and hitting the road, protagonist Marion Crane stops at Bates Motel to take a rest, only to meet Norman Bates. The rest, as they say, is history.
1965 Chevrolet Sports Van AKA the Mystery Machine – Scooby-Doo (1969)
Perhaps not the scariest of vehicles, but the most iconic when it comes to spookiness. The infamous Mystery Machine from Scooby-Doo is rumoured to have been modelled on a VW Microbus, or a 1965 Chevrolet Sports Van. The van has enough space to drive the gang around from mystery to mystery, with plenty of extra room for Scooby snacks. Have a different idea on what the mystery machine is modelled on? Comment and let us know!
1972 Ford Club Wagon – Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
This classic Hollywood slasher movie would not be complete without the eery Ford Club Wagon. That’s all we’ll say on this one!
1933 Packard V-12 – The Addams Family (1964-1966)
The most loved spooky family in history first appeared on our screens back in the 1960s as a TV series. There is a new animated movie heading to cinemas ready for Halloween 2019, featuring the voices of Charlize Theron, Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard, even Bette Midler and Snoop Dogg! One to take the kids to the cinema to watch, if only as an excuse to go and see it yourself.
1941 Chevrolet Heavy-Duty COE Delivery Truck – Jeepers Creepers (2001)
This heavily rusted vehicle is host to one of the strangest monsters in the movies. Although he didn’t speak one word throughout the entire film, The Creeper still manages to be one of the spookiest scary movie mutants. The 1938 song of the same name adds to the eeriness of the film. The original truck is now owned by a private collector in Maryland, USA.
1968 VW Beetle – Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)
One of the most notorious serial killers in modern history attached a dark edge to the VW Beetle, as Ted Bundy lured female victims to his model throughout the 1970s. It’s been 30 years since the serial killer’s death by electric chair, and the 2019 movie sparked much controversy. Many accused the biographical picture of glorifying the killer, particularly with the casting of Zac Efron as Ted Bundy. What do you think?
1967 Pontiac LeMans – Night of the Living Dead (1968)
When the zombies come, one place you do not want to be is at a graveyard. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happens in the Night of the Living Dead. Barricading themselves away and trying to escape the human flesh-hungry monsters, the movie famously features a 1967 Pontiac LeMans Sedan. The colour of the car has long been a talking point for hardcore horror fans, we reckon it’s light green – what colour would you choose?
2015 Lincoln MKC – Get Out (2017)
Jordan Peele’s Oscar-winning directorial debut stars Daniel Kaluuya as Chris, a young African-American man who is unknowingly entered into a sadistic auction for control of his body when he arrives at his white girlfriend’s family home for the weekend. This incredible yet disturbing thriller, shows the seemingly happy couple travelling upstate together in this red American SUV. “Just because you’re invited, doesn’t mean your welcome.”
Have we missed your favourite? Comment with your scary suggestions!
#HappyHalloween
The FCA has investigated the car finance industry across the past two years
An incoming commission ban will save drivers £1,100 each.
From this report, it has emerged that certain car dealerships have been earning commission on the interest rate set. This in effect, “creates an incentive for brokers to act against customer’s interests” according to the FCA. Essentially, the higher the interest rate for the customer, the higher the commission the dealership receives. Commissions encouraged brokers and dealerships to act against what is best for customers.
The FCA report published in March 2019 states “some motor dealers are overcharging unsuspecting customers over a thousand pounds in interest charges in order to obtain bigger commission payouts for themselves”. This led the FCA to remove this type of commission. Which will, in turn, save the consumer money when it comes to the types of car finance deals available to them.
Additionally, they have promised to make further changes to how customers are told about these commissions. Ensuring that in the future they are aware of what is being presented to them. This will allow customers to choose the right deal once they have all of the facts.
Adrian Dally, from the Finance & Leasing Association, said this is, “good news for the industry and consumers, as it delivers clear rules and a consistent approach to commissions”.
This is great news for car finance customers and the industry alike. Creating this sense of transparency makes the market landscape clearer for everyone. Making all sides happier by creating better, fairer deals for all. It will also make the market more competitive, presenting customers with the very best options.
The FCA went on to say, “We have found a significant difference in the amount of interest customers pay when taking a motor finance deal arranged through a broker who benefits from a discretionary commission model compared to a flat fee model.”
The Financial Conduct Authority will have completed the plans ready for 2020. Here at motorly, we do not charge a fee for arranging car finance, nor do we make a commission on car finance interest deals. We strive to find our customers the best deal available to them at all times. Another win for motorly customers!
Want to find out more about the different types of car finance? We explain everything here.
Would a green number plate help you spot an electric car?
A new government-backed proposal is suggesting that ultra-low emissions vehicles (ULEVs) are given a different coloured number plate to the standard yellow used across most vehicles. Introducing green license plates to these green vehicles would allow them to be easily recognised on the roads. Giving them access to specific eco-friendly bus lanes and free parking spaces in some areas.
Similarly, countries that have already gone ahead with a registration colouring system for electric vehicles are Canada, China and Norway. Furthermore, there are a few different ways we could choose to design these number plates here in the UK. The registration plate could be completely green or just have a green section, or possibly even a simple green dot or a specific green symbol.
This is currently under consultation with the British government, as they decide on:
Vehicle eligibility
Design
Roll-out
Enforcement
These changes will highlight the green vehicles on the road, helping to normalise the introduction of electric, hybrid and low-emission cars. Easily recognisable green number plates would help the authorities to spot these vehicles when using priority lanes and parking.
What do you think about this potential change? Here at motorly, we think it’s a great way to spot the range of electric and hybrid vehicles on the roads. Possibly even encouraging some people towards going electric – who may not have even considered it previously. This could lead to reduced emissions and increased air quality throughout the UK.
A thumbs up from us ?
You can respond to this consultation on the gov.uk website. For more information on how to submit your thoughts online or via post click here.
If you’re already thinking about going electric, we’ve put together the pros & cons to help you decide here.
Car insurance can be confusing, especially because there are a huge variety of policy types and add-ons available nowadays. It is important to understand what you are and are not covered for by your policy, and especially not to assume that you are covered for something you are not sure about as your premiums could increase, or claims could be rejected if you do so. Below we will outline some of the most common car insurance misconceptions to help you avoid falling into any traps.
“Non-fault’ and ‘non blame’ is the same thing”
In the case of car accidents, the terms “fault” and “blame” do not mean the same thing although they are often mistakenly used interchangeably. “Non-fault” means that your insurer has been able to recover part of the cost of the claim from somebody else and this is not always related to who was the blame for the accident. If your insurer is unable to claim back any money, this is an “at-fault” claim.
Another common misconception is that even if the claim you made was a “non-fault” claim, your insurance premium will not increase when you renew it. This is still a possibility because insurers will often perceive there to be a greater chance of someone making an “at-fault” claim if they have made a “non-fault” claim in the past.
“You don’t need to inform your insurer about every accident you have”
Sometimes in the event of a car accident, it is cheaper to pay for repairs yourself and you may not want to affect your no claims bonus by making a claim. However, even if you do not want to make a claim about an accident you have had, you are still obliged to inform your insurer in writing. You should make it clear that this is information only and that you do not wish to make a claim so that your insurer does not settle the matter with the other driver’s insurer without you knowing.
It is also important to note that most insurance policies will require you to inform the insurer of any accidents within a certain timeframe, even if you are not planning to make a claim and not doing so, could result in that insurance company refusing to provide you with cover in the future.
“Claiming on somebody else’s policy won’t affect yours”
All claims that are made either on your own car insurance policy or on somebody else’s, can cause your premiums to increase in the future. An “at-fault” claim will understandably affect it much more than a “non-fault” claim will and you could also experience an increase even if you don’t make a claim at all. However, claiming on somebody else’s policy will not affect your no claims bonus and you won’t have to pay any excess.
“You are always entitled to a courtesy car”
Many comprehensive car insurance policies will include a courtesy car in the event that you are left without yours as a result of an accident or repairs however there are some conditions that could prevent you from getting one. For example, if your car is “written off” i.e. it is damaged beyond repair, you probably won’t be able to get a courtesy car. It is often the case as well, that your access to a courtesy car is subject to the condition that you take your car to a pre-approved garage that the insurer has selected.
It is also important to remember that if you have an accident whilst you are driving the courtesy car, the level of cover that you are protected by will match that of your standard insurance policy. This means that you will be required to pay out any excess if it needs to be repaired, however the same rules of “non-fault”/”at-fault” claims will apply and you could get a second courtesy car too.
“Comprehensive cover allows you to drive any car”
It is a common assumption that having fully comprehensive cover permits you to drive somebody else’s car however this is not always the case and shouldn’t be regarded as a given. Some comprehensive insurance policies will include DOC (driving other cars) cover, which gives you the minimum third party cover when driving cars that are not registered on your policy, however, this is not always the case. Usually, you will have to add on DOC to your policy and pay extra for it.
In addition, the belief that as soon as you turn 25, you’ll automatically have DOC on your policy is also a myth – some insurers won’t include it on the renewal until you are 25 however you will still have to ask to have it added on.
“Putting your policy under your parent’s name will reduce your premium”
This is also called “fronting” and refers to when you put a parent’s name down as the main driver of the vehicle on your policy in order to make premiums cheaper. It sounds like it makes sense, putting down the name of someone with a lot more driving experience and a good few years of no claims is bound to lower your premiums. However, not only is this an illegal practice, it can also cost you thousands of pounds. If you are discovered to be fronting, your insurer can refuse to pay out for claims and costs may have to be recovered directly from the parent. What’s more, if a claim is rejected, the young driver could be considered to be uninsured and be given a very hefty fine, penalty points and even a driving ban as a result. They’ll have to declare this on any future applications which will make it harder and much more expensive to get insurance.
“You don’t need to inform your insurer if you get a new job”
If you get a new job, you are legally obliged to inform your insurer as it could affect your premium. If you fail to declare this change, your insurance policy could become invalidated. This is because your occupation is one of the things that insurers consider when calculating your premium, and even the most minor change can have an affect on how high risk they perceive you to be. For example, someone like a student or a delivery courier is likely to have a higher premium than an office worker or schoolteacher as they have a higher chance of making a claim.
