Important warning for keyworkers as car insurance rules set to change on Friday

Thousands of key workers who have had their car insurance policy relaxed during the pandemic are being advised to check their cover as Covid support ends this month.

The warning comes after the Association of British Insurers (ABI) confirmed that temporary measures put in place to support motorists during the pandemic will end on April 30.

The extra support was introduced last March to make it easier for key workers to travel to work during lockdown.

It meant people such as carers who needed to use their own car for work, or to drive to different locations for work and for volunteering purposes, would automatically have their insurance extended to include those tasks.

Policyholders were not required to contact their insurer to update their documents or extend their policy.

The rules meant people could use their own vehicles for work and volunteering without having to amend their policy (iStockphoto)

However, members of the ABI have now reviewed their position and issued updated guidance as restrictions continue to ease in England.

From April 30, if you are using your car for work or to commute to work, you will have to notify your insurer to ensure your policy includes this.

Most insurers will continue to support drivers using their own cars for voluntary purposes at no additional cost.

Ryan Fulthorpe, motoring expert at GoCompare, said: “To reflect changes in driving behaviour as commuting and driving between different workplaces starts to pick-up, insurers have reviewed their position.

“From May, drivers who insured their car only for social, domestic or pleasure purposes, but following the pandemic now use their car to travel to work, will have to upgrade their cover.”

That’s because your insurance premium is calculated based on ‘risk’.

“Drivers using their cars for commuting or driving between workplaces are likely to be on the road at busier times of the day and spend more time in their cars, than motorists simply driving for domestic reasons or for pleasure purposes.

“If a motorist fails to declare that they drive to work, or drive as part of their work, this could invalidate their insurance and, driving without insurance carries severe penalties.”