Millions of workers who have used their own vehicles to travel during the pandemic are being warned to check their policy - as automatic Covid support comes to an end in England.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said that relaxed rules on essential journeys will end on Friday, April 30, affecting mostly those who use their own car to travel to work.
At the start of the pandemic, insurers were told to loosen up restrictions that limited where and at what times people can travel.
It was introduced to allow people to commute in their own cars and help deliver food and essential items to people in needs such as elderly family members.
The support was automatic, meaning people weren't required to amend their policy to allow travel during busier times, however, that support is now due to end at midnight on Friday.
It means that from April 30, if you are using your car for work or to commute to work or to make Covid-related essential journeys, you will have to notify your insurer to ensure your policy includes this.
Failing to do so could mean your insurance is no longer valid.
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.”
