Car insurers must honour commuting claims during lockdown regardless of policy

Drivers forced into commuting by car during the lockdown do not need to notify their insurer or upgrade their motor insurance policy to include travelling to work, the industry trade body has said.

The Association of British Insurers said a person who was unwilling or unable to use public transport because of the Covid-19 outbreak did not need to upgrade their insurance in order to travel to work by car.

The Government has stated that people should avoid using public transport where possible, leading many workers to commute by car for the first time.

Many drivers will have “social” car insurance, the most basic type of motor cover available. This policy only insures against driving for leisure and does not include travel to work. People that commute by car typically have to upgrade their policy to social and commuting or business cover.

The ABI said: “If you have to drive to your workplace because of the impact of Covid-19, your insurance policy will still be valid. You do not need to contact your insurer to update your documents or extend your cover.”

A spokesman said people with social driving cover are fully insured if they use their car to commute, although this may change as the lockdown is eased and more drivers are on the road.

He said those renewing their policy should make their insurer aware of their change of circumstances, whether they are commuting by car in the short term or will continue to do so after the lockdown lifts.

Data from Comparethemarket.com, a price comparison website, found that the number of people commuting to work by car could double as a result of coronavirus.

It also found that upgrading your insurance could increase premiums. A 36-year-old man living in West London who has driven for 19 years and has a Skoda Octavia will pay around £20 more per year to add commuting to his insurance.

Have you changed your car insurance policy unnecessarily and paid a higher premium? Is your insurer failing to pay out for a claim during lockdown due to not having commuting insurance?

Contact jonathan.jones@telegraph.co.uk