Association of British Insurers: COVID-19 – Insurer Commitments on Motor, Home Insurance

LONDON, England, March 21 -- The Association of British Insurers issued the following news on March 20:

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

The commitments include waiving any requirements to extend cover for key workers who may need to drive to different locations, people who want to help their communities by transporting medicines or groceries to support those affected by Coronavirus and office workers who need to work from home.

These follow on from guidance issued by the Financial Conduct Authority yesterday (https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-sets-out-expectations-general-insurance-firms-during-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic).

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.

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.

For more information and guidance on COVID-19 see also our Coronavirus Q&A (https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/topics-and-issues/coronavirus-qa/)

*Please note:

* These commitments apply to private cars insured on private car insurance policies only. This does not cover use for hire or reward purposes.

* key workers applies to everyone who works in one of the critical sectors listed by the government.