Car Insurance May Be Invalid During Lockdown
Drivers who have a road traffic collision while driving during lockdown may find that their insurance doesn’t cover them for non-essential journeys. As well as having to pay for any damage you might also face a fine and penalty points.
Shock for Drivers Making Unnecessary Journeys
If you are caught making an unnecessary trip in your car or by motorcycle during lockdown, you could find yourself slapped with a £200 fine for leaving home without a reasonable excuse under the COVID-19 rules. But, to make matters worse, your vehicle insurance could be invalid when making a non-essential journey.
A report in the Mirror said that drivers who are involved in an accident might face huge repair bills. Nick Freeman, a specialist motoring lawyer known as Mr Loophole for helping celeb clients facing driving charges, said, “Essential travel is largely defined as shopping for necessities, picking up medical supplies, caring for a vulnerable person and getting to and from work if you cannot do so from home.”
Any other trips are not acceptable and, if you have a crash, your insurer could have grounds to reject any claim as, technically, you shouldn’t be on the road. If you’re unsure, you should speak to your insurer.
Drivers have also been warned not to cancel their insurance for the period of the lockdown, unless you have secure off-road parking. You may consider cutting costs at this difficult time, but it is illegal to park on the road without valid insurance. You would face an on-the-spot fine of £200, which could double for repeat offences up to a maximum £6,400.
Insurance Body denies the report
In response to the claim that drivers may not be covered unnecessary journeys, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) says it is not true. A spokesperson stated that, “Your cover will not be affected if you drive during the lockdown period. However, all motorists should follow government advice and avoid unnecessary travel.”
Admiral and LV insurance companies confirmed that drivers would still be covered as normal according to their policies for non-essential journeys in lockdown.
If you have any doubts, you should always check with your own insurance company to avoid any confusion.
Shop for Personalised Number Plates
The second lockdown is a frustrating time for everybody and you may be tempted to leave the house. But to stay safe and avoid the risk of getting a hefty fine, we should all abide by the rules and stay at home.
This could be the perfect time to look for your ideal personalised number plates. CarReg has a database of many thousands of private registration numbers. And it’s easy to buy your number plates and transfer them to your car online.
Alternatively, Christmas is fast approaching, although it may be a little different to normal this year. Buying a personalised number for your partner, parent or child makes a perfect and very special gift.
