Trevor

As we go into lockdown in the face of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) threat many people are asking what help their insurance provider can give in these incredibly trying times Help from your insurer when it is needed The ABI (Association of British Insurers) is reassuring people that its motor and home insurance members are offering enhanced help and support to all their customers who may be affected by the impact of Coronavirus. The commitments include waiving any requirements to extend cover for key workers who may need to drive to different locations, people who want to help their communities by transporting medicines or groceries to support those affected by Coronavirus and office workers who need to work from home. These follow on from guidance already issued by the Financial Conduct Authority. Motor and home insurers have pledged to: Support those who need to make a claim Support those who are working from home Support those who cannot work from home Support those who use their cars to help communities Support our key workers Here, experts at Adrian Flux, one of the country’s largest independent specialist insurance brokers, answers your Coronavirus insurance questions. I have been told to work from home because of the Coronavirus, will that affect my home insurance policy? If your work is clerical in nature, working from home due to the need to self-isolate or because you have been ordered to do so by your employer because of the Coronavirus outbreak, you should be covered by standard home insurance policies. However, if you need to have visitors in the course of your work you should check with your insurer as there may be restrictions in the cover permitted. Because of my age I am advised to self-isolate for an extended period. Can I pause my car insurance? It is a legal requirement to have valid car insurance unless you register your vehicle as being off the road and apply for a SORN. In this case it may be appropriate for you to consider laid-up motor insurance cover. Even when unused and parked in a garage while you keep safe from the Coronavirus, cars can be damaged by accident or by fire and they can be targeted by thieves and criminals. With laid-up cover they remain protected but the policies are cheaper because, as they are not being driven, there is no third party or liability insurance needed. Adrian Flux laid-up insurance is available at two levels, fire and theft or fire and theft plus accidental damage, so they suit any budget and any need. I have been laid off because of COVID-19. I’m worried I may not be able to meet my insurance instalments. What should I do? One of the benefits of dealing with a specialist broker such as Adrian Flux is that we can be sensible and offer flexibility in times of uncertainty such as these. Adam Hollinger, Customer Service Floor Supervisor at Adrian Flux, explained: “We’ll do our best to arrange individual payment plans given the current climate. “Individual plans will be based on a client’s previous payment history. If the customer has a good payment record we will do whatever we can to help. But advise us in good time that you are having financial difficulties and we will help you get through it.” My car is booked for an MOT, do I still need to get it during the Coronavirus lockdown? Garages undertaking MOT tests have been deemed an “essential service” by the government, which means they’ll stay open despite the lockdown. That means your insurance could be invalidated if your vehicle doesn’t have a valid test certificate. This may change if the government decides to reclassify MOT test centres as “non essential”. If I have to self-isolate and need someone to drive my car to collect groceries or medicine, will they be insured? In these circumstances you should contact your broker and have them added to your policy as a named driver. If the new driver has car insurance that includes driving other cars and they drive yours with your permission they will only get third-party cover. If you are fully comprehensive and want to ensure damage to your own car is covered when someone else uses it, contact your broker to add the other person as a named driver to your policy. I have lost my job because of Coronavirus. What should I do and what are the financial implications on my motor insurance? Adam said: “Get on the phone to your broker and let them know what has happened and they will do their best to help you. “We’re not applying Additional Premiums for mid-term changes to unemployed customers and we won’t be issuing Road Traffic Act notices for unacceptable risks due to unemployment as a result of COVID-19. “We are doing what we can to accommodate this, please get in touch to talk to a member of the customer service team.” Will home insurance cover the cost of a deep clean to my property should it become contaminated by COVID-19? Most standard home insurance policies do not provide cover for the costs of cleaning a property, even deep cleaning in the event of Coronavirus. I have been quarantined and my home may be left unoccupied for more than the 30 day limit on my policy. Will I be covered? Insurers will be pragmatic when considering those who are quarantined and unable to return to their property within the timescales set out in their policy. However, individuals should contact their broker at their earliest convenience, Adam advised. I have volunteered to drive for those who can’t leave their homes because of COVID-19. Will my current insurance be valid? If you are using your own car for voluntary purposes to collect and deliver medicine or groceries to support people affected by COVID-19, your cover will not be affected and you will not need to notify your insurer. I’m stuck abroad in lockdown and concerned my foreign use motor insurance cover will run out. What should I do? The terms and conditions of your foreign use motor insurance policy will differ from person to person so you should get in touch to talk about your individual circumstances as soon as you can. I work for the NHS. What is Adrian Flux doing to help me? Adam said: “With immediate effect Adrian Flux has decided to waive all mid-term admin adjustment fees and insurer admin fees when NHS workers call to make changes to their policies. We think this is the least we can do to help our NHS workers during this extremely difficult time.” Need more help regards the Coronavirus and your insurance? Adrian Flux customer services can be contacted on 0344 381 6502 – lines will be very busy so please be patient. If you have questions about how Coronavirus may affect your insurance leave a comment below or email Customer Services. Last Updated on 25th March 2020 Original Article Source: https://www.adrianflux.co.uk/blog/2020/03/how-will-coronavirus-affect-my-insurance.html?utm_source=AudiOwnersClub&utm_medium=ForumLinks&utm_campaign=referrals Written by: Frazer Ansell

With domestic hygiene high on the agenda right now, it’s important to remember it’s not just your house that needs scrupulous cleaning, as your car is one of the most tactile items you’ll own, with multiple surfaces that need special attention too Although this article has been published by Toyota GB and features Toyota vehicles, the principles of keeping any car germ free are the similar and can be applied across a wide range of vehicles. During an average trip the driver and passengers are likely to be touching many surfaces that can attract dirt and germs, from opening the door to changing gear, or from adjusting the heating fan to switching the lights on. Ben Murphy, Toyota’s professional car detailer is responsible for keeping Toyota GB’s fleet of press vehicles cleaned and professionally maintained. On average, Ben cleans about 30 cars per week but in busy times this number can rise to 46. As well as ensuring high standards of vehicle hygiene, Ben has to bear in mind that meticulous car reviewers expect every vehicle they assess to look and feel as good as new. In a new short film from Toyota (Toyota tips on keeping the car germ free) Ben demonstrates 40 potential touch points around the car that need specific cleaning attention, using a RAV4 as an example. “I try to be as efficient as possible,” Ben explains. “Our cars return to our press fleet garage from all over the country and I have to think – ‘where have people touched?’. For example, a driver will probably approach the car with the key in their hand and pull on the door handle. Then there’s the steering wheel and horn, the gearstick and surprisingly the rear-view mirror, because most people adjust the rear-view mirror when they get in the car. The interior of the driver’s door is a common touch point, especially on our press fleet cars which are driven by many different people. Think about all the people who get in the car and use the controls to put the window down a bit.” Ben also has to think about other points that might get touched less frequently, such as the dust caps, the bonnet and then things like the head rests. He has a check sheet which he goes through on every vehicle to make sure he hasn’t missed any part of the vehicle before it leaves the press fleet garage. The seatbelt is a key area. Everyone has to wear one when they get into the car, and the number of times you adjust that seatbelt depends on the size of the person in the car, so there could be two to three touch points just on the seatbelt itself. Also, the belt sits across you, so if you were to cough or sneeze there’s a very good chance germs get on the seatbelt or the steering wheel. Keep your car germ free: which products to use Although Ben uses commercial products made specifically to clean cars without damaging leather or interior materials, bleach-free antibacterial wipes are the next best thing. Ben says: “They’re inexpensive and kill 99.9% of germs, so they’re as safe and inexpensive as you can get without going out and buying a really strong cleaner. With a pack of wipes, a pair of gloves and a dry microfibre cloth, you can give most of the touch points a clean. Don’t just give each area a quick wipe; make sure you wipe it at least twice in a forwards and backwards motion so you’ve cleaned it completely.’ Now wash your hands! “Every time I remove my gloves I always give my hands a good wash,” says Ben. “I wear gloves during my working day and advise people to wear gloves if they are in a vehicle such as a rental car or a taxi. You don’t know which areas of the car the previous occupants have touched and germs can stay on a spot for 72 hours. If kids are travel in your car then there’s every chance they’ve been wiping their hands on windows – we’ve all done it as children, drawing faces on the window!” 40 areas of the car to clean Toyota has put together the following list of 40 areas of the car that should be cleaned. For simplicity the seatbelts are counted as one item and if you carry others in your car, you might have to spend a little longer ensuring each of your passengers can enjoy a factory-fresh ride next time they get into your car. 1 Exterior door handles 2 Frame of door and roof 3 Interior door release 4 Window switches 5 Interior door handle 6 Door pocket 7 Seatbelts 8 Seatbelt clips 9 Seat adjust buttons 10 Steering wheel 11 Horn 12 Control stalks 13 Driver air vents 14 Dashboard 15 Power button 16 Gear shift 17 Multimedia screen 18 Central air vents 19 Heating controls 20 Glovebox 21 Log book 22 Central storage compartment 23 Cupholders 24 Rear-view mirror 25 Interior lights 26 Grab handle 27 Key 28 Head rests 29 Seat pockets 30 Rear central tab 31 Fuel cap 32 Wheel valves 33 Boot lid 34 Parcel shelf 35 Boot floor tab 36 Boot close button 37 Bonnet lid 38 Washer cap 39 Dipstick 40 Oil cap Original article source: Toyota Media https://media.toyota.co.uk/2020/03/toyota-tips-on-how-to-keep-your-car-germ-free/ (25/03/20)