At NIG, we are working hard in these extraordinary times to ensure our brokers and customers receive the service they need.
We want to keep you up to date so you can respond to your clients’ queries about our motor cover. Please find below the answers to some of our most recent enquiries.
Motor FAQs
SORN VEHICLES
Policyholders that declare their vehicle(s) as SORN may request cover to be reduced to Laid up Accidental Damage, Fire & Theft or Laid up Fire & Theft. Alternatively, they may look to remove the vehicle from the policy entirety.
When a vehicle is declared SORN it cannot be parked or driven on the road – as defined within the Road Traffic Acts – see here.
The vehicle is also removed from Motor Insurance Database.
The ‘Laid-Up’ cover should not exceed the existing vehicle damage cover, e.g. if the vehicle is currently Third Party Only, then the vehicle should just be removed.
Please send in a copy of the SORN declaration when asking to reduce the cover.
As of 20th April we are now able to apply “Laid up cover” to our eTrade Mini Fleet policy. Please note the same conditions apply as outlined above for our standard Fleet policy.
There have been further changes since this communication, please also refer to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update 20 April 2020.
LOCAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE
Use of an insured vehicle to deliver groceries and medicines to vulnerable people is acceptable and does not need to be referred to us. As would transporting vulnerable people to shops or medical appointments.
Cover is not provided if the Policyholder is being paid a fee (other than expenses) for the work, as this is hire & reward, which is excluded on the certificate.
NHS VOLUNTEER RESPONDER SERVICE
ABI guidelines were recently issued in relation to the new NHS volunteers – see here.
In line with this statement, our policies will cover all authorised drivers without the need for referral.
AMENDMENTS TO BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
We understand that some businesses may need to alter their activities, perhaps providing deliveries of their products or producing alternative products. This will be acceptable subject to:
- the activities are covered by the current motor certificate;
- the additional activity does not include the carriage of explosives; and
- the additional activity does not include the carriage of fuel or gases.
If any of the above bullet points apply, then the additional work will need to refer to ensure the cover can and is being applied.
USING VEHICLES FOR UNRELATED BUSINESSES
Our policies cover our Policyholder’s business only and not alternative businesses. Any change to the Policyholder’s business would need to be referred prior to cover. We would not expect to cover employee or others using our Policyholder’s vehicles for alternative employment.
HAVING TO TRAVEL WITH CHILDREN
Our certificates do not exclude employees driving for business use with family members, including children, being present. This does not need to be referred.
UNABLE TO MOT THEIR VEHICLE
The Government has made a series of concessions relating to the MOT of all types of vehicle. If a Policyholder’s vehicle is unable to have its MOT renewed and that vehicle is covered by the Government’s exemptions and extended MOT periods, coverage will not be affected.
Within the Government communications – see here – they point out that all vehicles must be roadworthy if they are to continue being used. This reflects our own policy wording. If a vehicle is in an unroadworthy condition, cover may not apply.
See here for further Government advice on keeping vehicles in a roadworthy condition.
We are doing all we can to support you and our customers. We thank you for your patience and understanding during these difficult times. Stay safe and look after those around you.