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Black box insurance - what happens if I exceed the mileage?

View profile for Paul Loughlin
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Where and when are you most likely to have a car accident?

Young drivers and those who have only recently passed their driving test are typically faced with expensive quotes when shopping for their car insurance. Black box or ‘telematics’ insurance is a great alternative for these individuals. Black box insurance is usually considerably cheaper as the premiums are calculated based on driving style rather than statistical assumptions.

Black box insurance is usually charged on a monthly basis and the charges are calculated by taking into account a number of things including:

  • Speed
  • Time of day
  • Braking
  • Types of roads travelled on

Drivers can view their ‘driver score’ on a website or app and adapt their driving style accordingly in order to be safer on the roads and be rewarded with lower premiums.

Black box insurance policies, like most insurance policies, usually have a mileage limit attached to them. You will be asked how many miles you expect to drive in the duration of the policy with the theory that the less miles you drive, the less chance you have of having an accident and therefore your premium will be cheaper.

It is important that you do not lie about or guess the number of miles you will do. If you are involved in an accident and need to make a claim your insurance provider will check how many miles you have done and if you have exceeded your mileage you run the risk of your policy being invalid and your claim rejected.

What should I do if I exceed my mileage?

If you are aware that you have exceeded your mileage before your car insurance renews you should notify your insurer. You will then need to assess any likely additional mileage to take you to the end of your policy period and will need to disclose this to your insurer, paying any consequential increased premium to make sure that your policy remains valid and to ultimately avoid driving illegally.

If you are found to be driving without valid insurance you could face a driving ban or receive 6-8 penalty points in addition to a fine of up to £5,000. Our solicitors are experienced in defending motoring offences of this type. Call us now on 01616 966 229.

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