Car safety may seem to be something that you assume most people take for granted, and really means just making sure it is locked and possible has an alarm and possibly a crook lock as well. It can mean all these things and important as they are, there are several aspects of car safety that are key from an insurance point of view, and do affect your car insurance and how much you pay for it.
Your insurance company will assume or take it for granted that your car is in a good roadworthy condition and fit to drive. It will also assume that the driver is properly qualified and of a legal age to drive. In insurance terms these assumptions are known as warranties and they be implies or explicit. That means they may be spelt out specifically in the policy in clear language or it may just be felt that they are so obvious that they don't need to be said. Either way that apply and people should be aware of them. If either of these warranties are not complied with, there is chance your insurance company will void the policy.
This is because your insurance policy is a legal document, and if you don't comply with part of your side of the contract the other side, in this case the insurance company may well turn round and refuse to pay any claim and refund your premium. Not a situation you want to be in, especially if you are a facing a serious law suit for third party damages. Car safety applies to the physical and mental state of the driver, and again it is assumed you are in a fit state to drive the car. This means that if you have been drinking or taking drugs, then your insurance company may well try to void all or part of the contract on the same basis as above.
Car safety is also a factor when applying for car insurance, and the insurance underwriters determining how much you should pay for your car insurance. The factor that normally determines this is where your car is parked at night, either on the street or in a secure lock up such as a garage. If it is kept in a secure place, it is obviously less of a risk and less likely to be stolen than if it is left out overnight on a street. As such your insurance premium should be lower.
Be careful to make sure that your insurance company doesn't make it a warranty that it is kept locked up overnight. That could be a hassle if you forget or can't be bothered one night. Also if you buy any locks or security systems for your car and are hoping for a discount from your insurance company, check with them first as they may give discounts only on certain brands or manufacturers that they approve of and will only give you a discount if you buy those or fit their alarm systems.
The author is a freelance writer who specializes in insurance having spent many years in the insurance industry, working at Lloyd's of London, in particular he writes about car and auto insurance explaining what car insurance is for and the related area of car insurance.