Content

Motor insurance

Motor insurance

Your clients may be using  their car more, less or in a different way due to coronavirus, and they may have questions about whether that has any implications for  their Hiscox motor insurance policy. 

For the vast majority of our motor insurance customers, their policy will be unaffected and there is nothing you need to do.  There will be some exceptions to this, for example individuals that now need someone else to drive their car for them, so where this is the case we would ask that you contact us so we can make sure your clients have the right cover in place.

The Association of British Insurers has published some information to help insurance customers which your clients might find useful – they can find answers to commonly asked questions at: https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/topics-and-issues/coronavirus-qa/(external link).

FAQs

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

In most cases you will be covered whilst your vehicle is being driven by anybody who is over the age of 30. You will also be covered whilst your vehicle is being driven by anybody who is named as a driver on your insurance policy. Check your policy documents where you will see coverage restrictions and/or named drivers relevant to your policy.

If you need somebody under the age of 30 to drive your vehicle and they are not otherwise named on your insurance, or if you have a restriction on your policy that prohibits use, then please get in touch and let us know so we can make sure you have the right cover in place.

In addition, as a Hiscox customer our motor insurance follows you. So, unless explicitly stated otherwise in your policy schedule, you are automatically insured on a fully comprehensive basis whilst driving any other vehicle – just in case you need to.

I have to drive to work now instead of getting public transport. Am I still covered?

Yes, your policy includes no restrictions on the type of driving that you are permitted to do.

I’m stuck abroad with my vehicle, am I covered?

As long as your car continues to be appropriately registered in the UK then we will maintain coverage if you’re stuck abroad.

I won’t be driving my vehicle for the time being, can I pause or cancel my insurance?

It is a legal requirement to have valid car insurance unless you register your vehicle as SORN. If you are not planning to do this but won’t be driving your vehicle for a while then please contact your insurance broker to discuss what options might be available to you.

I can’t get my car MOT’ed so what do I do at renewal?

It is illegal to drive a car without a valid MOT and doing so would invalidate your insurance. Government advice is changing daily and on 21 March 2020 a 3 month MOT suspension was issued for lorries, buses and trailers in order to control demand. You should check with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency for any changes to the rules.

I have had someone in my car who has been diagnosed with Coronavirus – does my insurance cover a deep clean?

This wouldn’t be covered under your Hiscox motor insurance policy.