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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To have thought I could use either name

107 replies

sickandtiredofsick · 26/01/2020 22:26

I’m married but I thought I could use either my married or maiden name ?
I didn’t realise I had to use one or the other and now apparently my contents insurance isn’t valid ? I had no idea I thought it was fine to use either and had take then policy out about 4 years before getting married
Feel so stupid now

OP posts:

JonSlow · 27/01/2020 08:57

Call them again, and ask someone different.

If you weren’t covered, then ask for a refund of premiums since you got married. I bet they change tune then!

BettyUnderswoob · 27/01/2020 08:58

If you chose to sign your husband’s name on the marriage register then legally your name is now his, as that signature has the same effect as a deed poll

Eh? You sign sign your existing name on the register, not your married name, even if you do choose to change name.

minipie · 27/01/2020 08:59

Sorry absolutely true that you sign marriage register in maiden name, I was talking bollocks!

However the marriage certificate is accepted as evidence of you changing your name when applying for passport etc in married name. So again, I think the key thing for OP is to send a copy of marriage cert and that should be enough.

StoneColdSaidSo · 27/01/2020 09:12

I still use my maiden name for everything as well. Never been a problem in the 10 years I’ve been married

AJPTaylor · 27/01/2020 09:13

That sounds bollocks. It may be true that their system will not process a mis match in payment and policy name.

SerendipityJane · 27/01/2020 09:28

Best thing to do is name the insurance company (it is an insurer not a broker ?) and let the hive mind of MN contact them on your behalf for clarification. Somehow I suspect we might not get the answer they tried to fob you off with gave you.

Of course if your insurance was really invalid they'd have to return your premiums, so when are they doing that ?

SchadenfreudePersonified · 27/01/2020 09:33

I can’t claim if need to as you can’t ever use your maiden name if married
Absolute bollox!

You can call yourself Orinoco Womble if you like, as long as it isn't an attempt at fraud.

EleanorDashwood · 27/01/2020 09:37

I asked the Registry when I got married, as I didn't know if I wanted to change or not. They said that legally you can use either name (or any name you feel like) , and can use both, so long as it's clear that you are not trying to defraud anyone. I use my maiden name for work - even payroll have it - and my married name for everything else. My bank have happily accepted cheques to my account in both names. The person at your insurance company is talking rubbish.

ChicCroissant · 27/01/2020 09:40

You sign the marriage register with your maiden name, not your married name!

OP, I think you've misunderstood what the company have said. It sounds like you've tried to claim or do something with the policy with a different name than they've got on their records. Just stick to the same name when you deal with them.

If it is as a result of a claims payout and they are querying the difference in names, will they make a direct payment to the bank account that the premiums are paid from? Or is that the one with the different name?

slipperywhensparticus · 27/01/2020 09:46

Unassuming they have no issues taking payments from the account in your married name

Sparklingplasters · 27/01/2020 09:47

What about driving license? Should that be in married name?

diddl · 27/01/2020 10:06

It's not "automatic" though-you have to show your marriage certificate to change your name for bank, driving license etc.

lowlandLucky · 27/01/2020 10:07

When you get married in this country you can use your Husband or wifes surname, you do not have to officially change it at all, If you divorce you can go back to using your maiden name without having to officially change it. If you were adopted you can go back to using your birth name without having to offically change it.

diddl · 27/01/2020 10:12

" If you divorce you can go back to using your maiden name without having to officially change it."

Unless you want it on official things such as driving license, passport & then you need to show decree absolute or deed poll.

PeaOp · 27/01/2020 10:19

I use both (passport in one & driving licence in the other) and there is no problem as long as you are not trying to defraud. HMRC are very used to getting a tax return from me with income from both names with no bother. I’m renewing my driving licence and can’t do it online but not that much hassle to be honest and it certainly isn’t a muddle!

KaptenKrusty · 27/01/2020 10:22

That's not right!

mummykauli7 · 27/01/2020 10:49

Being legally married does not mean that your name has legally changed automatically.

You can change your name by sending copies of your marriage certificate to the appropriate places, passport office, dvla, electoral register, banks etc.

However, you can only have one legal name at a time. So you can't have a passport in one name and a bank account in another. Or in your case if your tenancy is in one name then your contents insurance should also be in that name. And the names you use should be your legal name.

Any insurance company will use whatever loophole possible to not pay out. It is our jobs to make sure all details are correct and lawful.

mummykauli7 · 27/01/2020 11:05

I also want to add that there are some cases where you can use your maiden name if your legal name has changed. For example some professionals will continue to use their maiden names whilst at work as that is the name they're respected degree's are in. People such as doctors, psychiatrists, lawyers may want to keep they're maiden names professionally.

In this case you should still get a deed poll that states that person xx will now be known as xy but will continue to use xx professionally.

Eyefatigue · 27/01/2020 11:10

And also discrimination as getting married wouldn't null an insurance policy for a man.

What would null a policy for a man is having conflicting names, as the OP has. Nothing to do with marriage

SallyWD · 27/01/2020 11:29

I find this so confusing. I'm married and changed my name on passport, driving licence etc. I have yet changed it on the electoral register or NHS. I didn't think it mattered...

SHAR0N · 27/01/2020 11:36

What would null a policy for a man is having conflicting names, as the OP has. Nothing to do with marriage

No it doesn’t. Unless it’s part of a fraud or breaches a significant policy warranty.

Insurance companies just want to know that they are protecting client confidentiality and complying with the relevant legislation.

Eyefatigue · 27/01/2020 12:13

Fair enough @SHAR0N but the point stands it's not a policy to discriminate against women.

Urkiddingright · 27/01/2020 12:15

I use my maiden name for everything and always will do, my DC have both surnames.

purpleme12 · 27/01/2020 12:42

That particular advisor is just wrong.
As stated you're still the same person so the actual risk hasn't changed so the policy can't be invalid.
And it's also wrong about the payment matching the policyholder. Are they saying they can only ever accept payment from a policyholder? That can't be the case. For a lot of policyholders they will have other people who pay it for them.

Insurance companies need to speak to the person whose card it is (just to make sure they've got authorisation to use the card) but they don't need them to match

mnthrowaway202020 · 27/01/2020 12:52

There’s no such thing as a “legal name” in England & Wales this is why you shouldn’t take “legal” advice from randoms

In the UK, adults can go by different names whenever they like, provided that they are not using different names for the commission of fraud. You don’t even need to do anything special, change of name by usage is still valid.

You can use your maiden and spouse’s surname interchangeably. The advisor was wrong and a complaint against them would be worthwhile, particularly as you changed your name after taking out the policy. However do check over your insurance T&Cs as they may have a clause asking for up to date personal information which may otherwise invalidate your policy, I wouldn’t have thought a name change would impact it but worth a check

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