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.
As carpooling and shared vehicle use become more common, multiple drivers may experience unintended consequences for insurance. When you take out a policy, the insurer calculates premiums and risk based on the person listed as the ‘regular driver’. If that information is incorrect, you may face a reduced payout, or even a rejected claim, despite paying all premiums.
The regular driver is the person who operates the vehicle most frequently. This might sound simple, but for households sharing a car between a couple or between a parent and child, the answer may not be obvious.
Some policyholders deliberately list the wrong person, often to lower premiums. For instance, a parent might claim to be the primary driver of a car intended for their student child. While this saves money in the short term, it is risky. If an accident occurs and the insurer discovers the younger driver was in fact the regular driver, the claim could be jeopardised.
Some insurers may apply additional excess charges if someone other than the listed driver was behind the wheel at the time of the accident. Others may ask you to name all frequent drivers upfront. This is why it is vital to read your policy wording carefully and have an honest discussion with your insurer.
Honesty should extend beyond naming the driver to keeping the policy up to date whenever circumstances change. If you pass the car to another household member, spend time away while someone else uses the vehicle, or move to a new address that alters parking arrangements, these details must be disclosed.
Failing to update your insurer can affect how risk is assessed and whether claims are paid. Car insurance is meant to provide peace of mind, but only if the information on record is accurate and current.
