What changes do you need to tell your car insurance provider about?
Learn about what changes you need to let your car insurer know about. And find out more about Tesco Car Insurance.
Published: 18 May 2026
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When things change, remember to update your car insurance details
Moving house, starting a new job or changing your name? Car insurance might be the last thing on your mind. But it’s important to let your insurer know if your details change.
Not sure what details you need to let your insurer know about? Find out more in our guide.
Why it’s important to keep your car insurance details up to date
Your car insurance is based on the details you give when you take out a policy. So, if your details aren’t correct, it could change how your policy works.
In some cases, it could mean any claims you make will take longer. And in others, it could invalidate your policy - and leave you uninsured.
Keeping everything up to date helps your insurer provide the right level of cover for your needs. And letting them know about any changes as soon as possible will keep your insurance valid and avoid delays.
Remember that changing your details won’t always change your car insurance policy or cost.
You can check your Tesco Car Insurance policy booklet anytime in ‘Your Insurance Account’ to make sure everything is correct.
You can easily make changes and update your personal details online. Simply click the sign in button and make the changes instantly.
Note, if your policy is due for renewal, you’ll not be able to make changes to it in Your Insurance Account until it renews.
What changes do you need to tell your insurer about?
It’s your responsibility to make sure your car insurance details are up to date. If any of these details change, you should contact your insurer as soon as possible to let them know.
Your personal detail
- your name or gender - if you legally change your name or gender, you’ll need to let your insurer know. your name or gender - if you legally change your name or gender, you’ll need to let your insurer know.
- your marital status - if you have a change in marital status, you’ll also need to tell your insurer.your marital status - if you have a change in marital status, you’ll also need to tell your insurer.
- your job or employment status - if your employment status changes or you change careers, you should notify your insurer. Changing employers while staying in the same line of work doesn’t require an update.your job or employment status - if your employment status changes or you change careers, you should notify your insurer. Changing employers while staying in the same line of work doesn’t require an update.
- your medical status - if you develop a medical condition that could affect your ability to drive, you must let your insurer know. Not only does this keep your policy up to date but helps to keep you safe.your medical status - if you develop a medical condition that could affect your ability to drive, you must let your insurer know. Not only does this keep your policy up to date but helps to keep you safe.
Your address
Your address is crucial in deciding how much your car insurance premium will be. That’s because some postcodes are considered more high-risk than others. If you live in a high-risk area, your premium is likely to be higher.
You should let your insurer know if you change:
- your home address - if you move homes or change your permanent address, tell your insurer as soon as you can. This will make sure you’re covered as soon as you move. You might need to provide proof of your new address, like a mortgage statement or utility bill.your home address - if you move homes or change your permanent address, tell your insurer as soon as you can. This will make sure you’re covered as soon as you move. You might need to provide proof of your new address, like a mortgage statement or utility bill.
- where you park overnight - if you change where your car is parked overnight, you should also let your insurer know. This might change your policy depending on where this is, such as on the street or in a private garage.where you park overnight - if you change where your car is parked overnight, you should also let your insurer know. This might change your policy depending on where this is, such as on the street or in a private garage.
Your car
- changing your car - if you change your car, you’ll need to update your policy with the details of the new vehicle. This could also affect the cost of your policy.changing your car - if you change your car, you’ll need to update your policy with the details of the new vehicle. This could also affect the cost of your policy.
- modifying your car - if you make any modifications that change the car from the manufacturer’s original specification, you’ll need to update your policy. Routine upkeep like oil changes or annual MOTs don’t need to be reported.modifying your car - if you make any modifications that change the car from the manufacturer’s original specification, you’ll need to update your policy. Routine upkeep like oil changes or annual MOTs don’t need to be reported.
- reporting an accident - if your car is involved in an accident (whether it’s your fault or not), you’ll need to tell your insurer, even if you don’t make a claim. Keeping your car’s accident history up to date is important to maintain your policy and safety.reporting an accident - if your car is involved in an accident (whether it’s your fault or not), you’ll need to tell your insurer, even if you don’t make a claim. Keeping your car’s accident history up to date is important to maintain your policy and safety.
- the use of your car - if you drive your car for anything other than personal use, you should also notify your insurer. This could be using your car for business or even commuting to work.the use of your car - if you drive your car for anything other than personal use, you should also notify your insurer. This could be using your car for business or even commuting to work.
- annual mileage - if you’re driving your car for more or less than the original estimated mileage, this could change your policy.annual mileage - if you’re driving your car for more or less than the original estimated mileage, this could change your policy.
What if anything changes for named drivers?
It’s not just your personal details that matter. If you have any named drivers on your policy, you should also let your insurer know if anything changes to their details. This might include:
- their name or gendertheir name or gender
- occupationoccupation
- passing a driving testpassing a driving test
- how often they drivehow often they drive
- any convictions or claimsany convictions or claims
If someone new is going to drive your car on a regular basis, it’s important to add them as a named driver to your policy. Adding a named driver can increase but also decrease the policy cost.
Your premium will be recalculated based on their age, driving experience, claims history, driving convictions and occupation.
Remember, the main driver must be the person who uses the car the most. If a higher-risk driver is listed as a named driver but is actually the main driver, this is called fronting - which is illegal.
Find out more about fronting in our guide - What is fronting?
Do I need to let my insurer know about any driving offences?
If you commit a driving offence, this could add points to your licence. If that happens, you’ll need to let your insurer know. But you usually only need to do this when it’s time to renew your policy.
If you receive a driving ban, you’ll need to tell your insurer immediately.
Will I be charged for changing details on my car insurance?
Most insurers will charge an administration fee for changing your car insurance details.
With Tesco Car Insurance, you won’t be charged an admin fee for making a change online in Your Insurance Account.
But your premium might increase or decrease depending on what the change is. We’ll let you know of any adjustment to your premium or any changes to the terms.
If you call us to make a change to your policy once it’s started, we’ll charge an admin fee of £25 in addition to any change in premium.
Find out more about changing your policy in our Car Insurance FAQs.
Can I add optional extras to my policy when making a change?
Yes, you can add optional extras to your car insurance policy at any time - either online via Your Insurance Account, or by giving us a call.
You can choose from the following add-ons:
- Breakdown Cover - keep moving with breakdown cover from the RAC. Choose from 4 levels of cover to find the right one for you. Breakdown Cover - keep moving with breakdown cover from the RAC. Choose from 4 levels of cover to find the right one for you.
- Upgraded Courtesy Car - you'll get a courtesy car that’s a similar size to your own, so it’s guaranteed to meet your needs.Upgraded Courtesy Car - you'll get a courtesy car that’s a similar size to your own, so it’s guaranteed to meet your needs.
- Key Cover - if your car keys are lost, stolen or broken, we’ll organise replacements and provide onward transport. Key Cover - if your car keys are lost, stolen or broken, we’ll organise replacements and provide onward transport.
- Motor Legal Protection - cover personal injury costs if you’re involved in an accident that isn’t your fault.Motor Legal Protection - cover personal injury costs if you’re involved in an accident that isn’t your fault.
Learn more about optional extras in our guide - Car insurance add-ons and extras.
Don’t forget to update your driving licence, too
It’s also important to update your driving licence details at the same time. That’s because the information on your licence should match what’s on your car insurance policy.
To change your personal details on your driving licence, you’ll need to contact the DVLA. You can do this on the UK Government website - Update your driving licence.
You’ll need to let them know if:
- you move houseyou move house
- you change nameyou change name
- you change genderyou change gender
- you have a medical condition that affects your drivingyou have a medical condition that affects your driving
If you don’t update your driving licence, you could face a fine of up to £1,000.
Help for Car Insurance customers
If you’re a Tesco Car Insurance customer, find out how to manage your policy, get in touch or make a claim.
Important Information
About car insurance from Tesco Insurance
Tesco Car Insurance is arranged and administered by Tesco Insurance and is underwritten by Tesco Underwriting Ltd.
Optional extras Insurers:
- Motor Legal Protection is underwritten by AmTrust Specialty Limited.Motor Legal Protection is underwritten by AmTrust Specialty Limited.
- Breakdown Cover is underwritten by RAC Insurance Ltd.Breakdown Cover is underwritten by RAC Insurance Ltd.
- Keycover is underwritten by AA Underwriting Insurance Company Ltd. Claims are handled by Keycare.Keycover is underwritten by AA Underwriting Insurance Company Ltd. Claims are handled by Keycare.
- Upgraded courtesy car cover is underwritten by Tesco Underwriting Ltd.Upgraded courtesy car cover is underwritten by Tesco Underwriting Ltd.
You’ll find complete details of the cover, monetary limits, exclusions, excesses and terms in our policy documents.
Before you buy a Car Insurance policy
Before you buy your Tesco Car Insurance online, please read the policy documents to ensure that the policy you select meets your needs. The policy booklet and product information documents outline the benefits, limitations and exclusions that will apply to your cover.
Learn more about Car Insurance
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