Car insurers to extend Covid support until March

Insurers have extended a pledge to support drivers forced to use their cars for commuting during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Association of British Insurers has confirmed that its members have agreed to maintain extra help for drivers first introduced in March 2020. The offer of automatic commuting cover was due to expire on December 31 but will now remain in place until 19 March 2021 - a full year since it was announced.

The cover means that if you have to drive to and from 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. Key workers also get cover for driving to different locations for work purposes without having to update or extend their policy.

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The extended support also covers drivers using their own car for voluntary purposes such as transporting medicines or groceries to support others who are affected by Covid-19. This applies to all categories of NHS Volunteer Responders, including transporting patients, equipment, or other essential supplies.

Volunteers using their car to deliver medical supplies or groceries are covered by the extension (Photo: Shutterstock)Volunteers using their car to deliver medical supplies or groceries are covered by the extension (Photo: Shutterstock)
Volunteers using their car to deliver medical supplies or groceries are covered by the extension (Photo: Shutterstock)

The move comes at the same time as insurers promised to maintain cover for office-based workers forced to work from home during the pandemic.

Announcing the agreement, Laura Hughes, ABI’s manager for general insurance, said: “The pandemic continues to cause significant disruption and worry, and the further extension of these temporary pledges reflects the commitment of insurers to helping customers as we battle our way out of the crisis.

“From pledges of extra support, paying over £1.8 billion in Covid-related claims, and donating through the Covid-19 Support Fund over £100 million to help the most vulnerable, insurers continue to do all they can to help their customers and wider society.”

Dan Hutson, head of motor insurance at comparethemarket, commented: “Motorists will be relieved that insurers have extended COVID-19 support until March. As social distancing measures are likely to continue next year, it’s only right that those who are still impacted should continue to receive support. Key workers, volunteers helping their communities, and those who still need to commute by car will appreciate the flexibility offered by insurers in extending their cover.”

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