Am I covered?
Do you know how your motorcycle insurance is affected during lockdown?
Lockdown is a confusing time. We know the rules about leaving the house, gatherings, and working, but there might be uncertainty about the rules in other areas of our day-to-day lives - such as what we need to do with our motorcycles.
To get to the bottom of this, we talked to Mark Copper, Head of Product - Bike at Carole Nash. Here are his answers to key questions that many will be asking while in lockdown.
MSL: Is my motorcycle insurance still valid during lockdown at home and/or if I ride to work or to shops?
MARK COPPER: Yes it is still valid - unless you have cancelled it, or made a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) and taken it 'off the road'.
MSL: If I'm not riding as much due to Covid-19 should I reduce the mileage on my insurance policy?
MC: Unless you need to self-isolate for more than 12 weeks, you shouldn't need to change your mileage.
MSL: Should I declare my motorcycle SORN if I am unable to ride for a period of time?
MC: As per information on Gov. uk, you should only make a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) when you take a vehicle 'offthe road' and you want to stop taxing and insuring it. If you cancel your policy you will not be covered for fire, theft or riding/driving your vehicle until you reinstate your policy.
Your vehicle is off the road if you don't keep or use it on a public road, for example if it's in a garage, on a drive or on private land. You can check Gov. uk for further information.
MSL: Am I still covered if I'm currently abroad and can't get home, and this takes me over the foreign use limit my policy allows?
MC: We are in unprecedented times, and therefore if you have been unable to return home due to Covid-19, e.g. travel
restrictions and cancellations, self-isolation, enforced quarantine, Carole Nash will extend your foreign use allowance. Should you need to make a claim, the insurer may require evidence that you were unable to get home. This may not be the case with all insurers - please check with your policy holder.
MSL: My doctor self-isolated me, am I covered to drive or ride?
MC: Yes, unless you have received medical advice which states your ability to drive or ride may be affected. However, you should always follow government guidance on when you can and cannot go out.
MSL: If I have coronavirus can someone else drive or ride my vehicle to get me to hospital?
MC: Yes, if they're a named driver or rider on your policy or they're covered for other vehicles by their own insurance policy. They'll need to check their insurance certificate to see if they have this and it is worth noting that they may only be covered on a third party basis.
MSL: Will my insurance be affected if I am a volunteer for the NHS?
MC: NHS Volunteer Responders and others who are volunteering to help their communities during the coronavirus outbreak do not need to contact their insurer to update their documents or extend their cover.
If you are using your own motorcycle or car for voluntary purposes to transport medicines or groceries to support others who are impacted by Covid-19, your cover will not be affected. You do not need to contact your insurer to update your documents or extend your cover. This applies to all categories of NHS Volunteer Responders, including transporting patients, equipment, or other essential supplies.
MSL :If I have breakdown cover on my policy, will I still be recovered if I break down? MC: Yes, your vehicle should be repaired by the roadside or recovered as normal. The mechanic will follow social distancing guidelines to protect both themselves and you.
MSL: Do I still get the No Claims Bonus as normal if I make changes to my insurance?
MC: It may depend on the changes you are making to your policy. We advise you to discuss this with your insurance provider first.
MSL: Will this crisis have an impact on insurance prices?
MC: Prices often vary between insurance providers. At Carole Nash, we are working to secure the best prices for customers.