Why the name on a policy should be your current one#
Insurers ask you to keep the details on a policy up to date, and several name a change of name as one of those details. LV='s car and home terms say you must tell it as soon as possible if your personal details change, "such as your name or marital status", and that if you do not tell it about changes it may reject a claim or reduce the payment. Direct Line's car policy booklet lists a change to any other policyholder details among the things to tell it as soon as possible, and says that not keeping your information up to date could invalidate your policy or mean claims are not paid in full, or at all. AXA lists a change of surname among the changes it needs to hear about, and Aviva's guidance for drivers warns that if your insurer is not among the first to know about a new name, you could struggle to claim if something goes wrong.
So do not wait for renewal. LV= says you are not covered for a change until it has agreed it and issued new personal details and, where needed, a new certificate of motor insurance.
How insurers take a new name#
Most let you do it yourself online. Aviva, Direct Line, Churchill, Admiral and AXA all point you to your online account or app. LV= takes a change of name on car and home policies by phone, and Petplan by message or phone.
None of the car and home insurers below publishes a list of evidence for a change of name. The life insurers are more particular: Legal and General asks for an upload of one document, such as the deed poll, a marriage or civil partnership certificate, a passport or a photocard driving licence, and Aviva runs an electronic check on the new name and asks for proof only if that check fails. Keep the deed poll to hand anyway, in case any insurer asks, and send a photograph or scan where it offers an upload rather than posting the original.
Who to tell, and what each asks for#
| Organisation | How to tell them | What they ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Aviva | Home and motor: update your personal details in MyAviva. Life: its online change of name form | Home and motor: no evidence listed. Life: an electronic check, with proof only if that fails |
| Direct Line | Online, as a change to your policy, in your account or the app | No evidence listed; no admin fees for changes to a policy bought direct |
| Admiral | MyAccount, which Admiral calls the easiest way | No evidence listed; £15 for changing or correcting policy information |
| LV= | Car and home: by phone. Life: by phone or an online form | No evidence listed; an administration charge may apply |
| Churchill | Online, as a change to your policy | No evidence listed; any admin fee is shown in your policy details |
| Hastings Direct | No published process for a change of name | No evidence listed; its fee guide charges £0 for a change of name |
| AXA | Make a change in your AXA Account | No evidence listed; free online, £25 car or £17 home if AXA makes the change |
| Legal and General (life) | Live Chat in your online account, or its online form | An upload: deed poll, marriage certificate, passport or photocard licence |
| Petplan | Send a message or phone; My Petplan handles contact details only | No evidence listed |
Questions people ask
Do I need to tell my car insurer when I get married?
If your name changes, yes. LV='s terms list a change of name or marital status among the changes to tell it about as soon as possible, Hastings Direct's fee guide has a line for changing your name or marital status, and Aviva's own guidance gives a name change on marriage as an example of what to tell a car insurer. Where an insurer asks for evidence, a marriage certificate is on Legal and General's list.
Does it cost anything to change the name on a policy?
It depends on the insurer and on how you make the change. Hastings Direct charges £0 for a change of name, and Direct Line says there are no admin fees for changes to a policy bought direct. AXA charges nothing online but £25 on a car policy, or £17 on most home policies, if it makes the change for you. Admiral lists £15 for changing or correcting policy information, and LV= says an administration charge may apply.
Will my no claims discount still count in my new name?
LV='s car terms say that proof of no claims discount from a previous insurer should be in your name. So change your name with your current insurer before you ask it for proof, and keep the deed poll or marriage certificate that links the two names in case the new insurer asks.
What if my insurer refuses the change or I am unhappy with how it is handled?
Complain to the insurer first. The Financial Ombudsman Service says a business has up to 8 weeks to respond, and that you then have 6 months from the date of its final response to bring the complaint to the Ombudsman, whose service is free. What to do if your deed poll is refused has the earlier steps.
Something else? Ask us, and a person replies by email, normally the same working day.
