Scottish motorists are being urged to take note of some important car insurance changes that will be in place from next week.
Measures introduced to help people during the pandemic are set to expire on April 30, with fears some insurance policies may become invalid as a result. People are urged to speak to their insurers to make sure their cover is still appropriate.
Insurers made changes last March to help support those who needed to drive to work during lockdown, and who previously would not have used their car to do so. They waived any requirement to update or extend cover for key workers, volunteers helping communities by transporting medicines or groceries, and those who needed their car for work because of the pandemic.
However, from May drivers who have their car insured only for social, domestic or pleasure purposes, but now use their car for work, will have to upgrade their cover.
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."
Ryan added: "Following the end of insurers’ pledges to automatically extend cover during lockdown, it’s essential that drivers make sure their car insurance covers them for their new normal usage.
"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."
He continued: “So, if you've started driving to work since the pandemic and you are unsure whether you're covered, the best thing to do is to contact your insurer immediately so your policy can be updated if necessary."
