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Motor Insurance

The ABI (Association of British Insurers) is reassuring people that its motor insurance members are offering enhanced help and support to all their customers who may be affected by the impact of Covid-19.

Update: 18 January 2021

If you are a licenced taxi or private hire driver and have hire or reward insurance in place, as of 5th January, you will not need to contact your insurer to extend your existing cover while driving this vehicle to carry parcels, medical supplies, household goods, groceries or takeaway meals during the Covid-19 restrictions. This commitment will be in place until the end of the third lockdown, or 30th April, whichever is sooner.

ABI motor and home insurers have pledged to:

  1. Support those who need to make a claim. Insurers have implemented business continuity plans and work closely with service providers to do everything possible in these challenging circumstances to continue to handle claims and support their customers. We recognise there will be many customers who will need additional support and insurers will prioritise those in vulnerable circumstances.
  2. Support those who are working from home. If you are an office-based worker and need to work from home because of government advice or because you need to self-isolate, your home insurance cover will not be affected. You do not need to contact your insurer to update your documents or extend your cover.
  3. Support those who cannot work from home. If you have to drive to your workplace because of the impact of Covid-19, your insurance policy will not be affected. You do not need to contact your insurer to update your documents or extend your cover.
  4. Support those who use their cars to help their communities. If you are using your own car for voluntary purposes to transport medicines or groceries to support others who are impacted by Covid-19, your cover will not be affected. You do not need to contact your insurer to update your documents or extend your cover. This applies to all categories of NHS Volunteer Responders, including transporting patients, equipment, or other essential supplies as well as the army of volunteers who are assisting with the vaccine rollout.
  5. Support our key workers. If your work* is critical to the national response to Covid-19 and you need to use your own car to drive to different locations for work purposes because of the impact of Covid-19, your cover will not be affected. You do not need to contact your insurer to update your documents or extend your cover.

Please note that this applies to private cars insured on private car insurance policies only and does not cover use for hire or reward purposes such as delivery drivers.

The pledges have been extended to 30th April 2021.

* https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision#critical-workers

For more information, you can read our commonly asked questions here:

If I have to self-isolate and need someone to drive my car to the shop to pick up supplies for me, will they be insured?

  • You should contact your insurer and have them added them to your policy as a named driver.
  • If the person who is helping you has car insurance that includes a “Driving Other Cars” section and they use your car with your permission, they can drive your car. However, they will only get third-party cover and “Driving Other Cars” is intended for short-term emergency use.
  • If you have comprehensive insurance and want to ensure that damage to your own car is covered when someone else uses your car, you should contact your insurer to add the other driver as a named driver to your own policy.

If I have to drive to work now instead of getting public transport, will my car insurance still be valid?

  • If you have to drive to your workplace because of the impact of Covid-19, your insurance policy will still be valid. You do not need to contact your insurer to update your documents or extend your cover.

  • If you work in one of the critical sectors listed by the government and you need to use your own car to drive to different locations for work purposes because of the impact of Covid-19, your cover will not be affected. You do not need to contact your insurer to update your documents or extend your cover.

If I have to self-isolate, can I pause my car insurance?

  • It is a legal requirement to have valid car insurance unless you register your vehicle off the road and apply for a SORN. Different insurers have different processes for these situations. If you want to keep your car but won’t drive it for a while, contact your insurance provider to see how they can support you.

If I have an accident, will I be able to have my car repaired or replaced?

  • Insurers’ main priority is to make sure their customers can continue to have their claims paid in this challenging environment. Given the disruptions to international transport and manufacturing because of Covid-19, it may take longer to get the necessary parts to repair your car.

I drive for a voluntary organisation to help people who can’t leave their homes. Is my insurance still valid?

  • If you are using your own car for voluntary purposes to transport medicines or groceries to support others who are impacted by Covid-19, your cover will not be affected. You do not need to contact your insurer to update your documents or extend your cover. This applies to all categories of NHS Volunteer Responders, including transporting patients, equipment, or other essential supplies.

I am self-isolating, and my MOT is due. Is my insurance still valid?

  • If you cannot take your car for its MOT, ask someone else to do this for you. If they are not already named drivers, contact your insurer to add them to your policy.
  • If this is not possible due to the impact of Covid-19, insurers will be pragmatic and not penalise you for something that is out of your control. Safety is paramount and it is illegal to drive a car in a dangerous condition, so make sure to check your brakes, tyres and lights before driving. Please remember to get your MOT done when you can. 

Can I still get an MOT test booked at my local garage?

  • The Department for Transport have advised that heavy and light vehicle testing will continue in England throughout the lockdown period and therefore you should be able to arrange for an MOT to occur if required. The Scottish and Welsh Governments do not have any restrictions on garages under their current respective restrictions. 
  • However, if restrictions mean you are unable to get a test because of the impact of Covid-19, insurers will be pragmatic and not penalise you. Safety is paramount and it is illegal to drive a car in a dangerous condition, so make sure to check your brakes, tyres and lights before driving. Please remember to get your MOT done when you can.

 

If I drive during the lockdown period, will my insurance be invalidated?

  • Your cover will not be affected if you drive during the lockdown period. However, all motorists should follow Government advice and avoid non-essential travel.

There is no need to contact your car insurance provider if you are a volunteer helping the fight against Coronavirus

NHS Volunteer Responders and others who are volunteering to help their communities during the coronavirus outbreak do not need to contact their insurer to update their documents or extend their cover, the ABI have said. The reminder comes as over half a million people have signed up to be NHS Volunteer Responders.

If you are using your own car for voluntary purposes to transport medicines or groceries to support others who are impacted by Covid-19, your cover will not be affected. You do not need to contact your insurer to update your documents or extend your cover. This applies to NHS Volunteer Responders, including transporting patients, equipment, or other essential supplies. If you are a Community First Responders or other 'Blue Light' volunteer, then please contact your insurer or broker.

You can read more on this announcement here.