If you’re concerned about what the COVID-19 pandemic means for your insurance policies and how your cover will be affected, here at mustard.co.uk, we’ve created this guide to help.
The ABI Pledges
The ABI (Association of British Insurers) have pledged the following to ensure that motorists and home insurance policy holders are covered during these difficult times.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
(Source: https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/topics-and-issues/coronavirus-hub/motor-insurance/)
FAQs
Can I still drive?
The government guidelines say that you can drive for essential travel, if you aren’t self-isolating. Further information on what is and is not classed as essential travel can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/covid-19-essential-travel-guidance.
My MOT test is due, what should I do?
Car, van or motorcycle’s MOT expiry dates have been extended by 6 months if it’s due on or after 30 March 2020, however if you are still using your car you must ensure that it is safe to drive. More information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-mots-for-cars-vans-and-motorcycles-due-from-30-march-2020.
Do I need to tell my insurer that my driving habits have changed or that I’m helping support the NHS?
No, as stated above, if you’re using your car for voluntary purposes or to support key workers, your cover will not be affected, and you do not need to contact your insurer to let them know.
Can I still go to petrol stations if I’m self-isolating?
If you are self-isolating, you should not leave your house at all for at least seven days. If you are not self-isolating, you may still go and get fuel but remember to maintain the 2-meter distance rule, use gloves when touching the pumps and machines and try to pay by card where possible.
What if I break down when doing essential travel?
Although breakdown services are still running, specific rules will be different for each company. It is worth checking with your provider to see what their current policy is. Remember to search for the information online or via chatbots first as many companies are operating reduced telephone services.
Make sure that you tell the service provider if you have coronavirus symptoms or are self-isolating, to help keep everyone involved safe.
Will I still be able to take my driving test?
The government has suspended driving theory and practical tests; however, tests are still available to critical workers. More information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-driving-tests-and-theory-tests.
Will working from home affect my home insurance?
No, the ABI has confirmed that home insurance policies will not be affected for those who are now having to work from home and that they do not need to contact their insurers to inform them of the change.
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