Coronavirus and your car insurance...

Wondering how coronavirus might affect your car insurance with us?

Here's what you need to know...

In these uncertain times, the knock on effect is impacting multiple areas of our everyday lives, one of which is the use of our cars. Whether you’re using yours more often in order to avoid public transport, or you now need to use your car for work, we support you wholly and will do everything we can to make sure that your car policy is one thing you can be certain about.

Please see our FAQ’s below where we may cover any questions you have. In the meantime, stay safe and please bear with us while we do all we can to support our customers and employees.

Have questions or concerns around repairs to your vehicle during COVID-19? We've put together a safety guide to help you...

Read the guide

Car insurance FAQs

I’ve added a driver to my policy but I would like to remove them due to being unable to travel

If you have added a driver to your policy and you are now unable to travel due to the latest restrictions, please give us a call and we will remove the driver and refund you.

If you still want the driver added, but want to change the dates, we can sort that for you too.

Call us on 0800 085 5608

Calls will be recorded. For TextPhone first dial 18001.

Lines open Monday to Friday 8– 8, Saturday 9 – 5 and Sunday 10 – 4.

Am I still covered to drive in Europe?

We encourage you to follow the latest government guidelines when travelling abroad.

Yes, the European cover section of your car insurance is still valid. For the latest travel advice, please visit the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.

If you’re travelling to or are currently in a country where the FCDO advice changes or has changed, your car insurance will be unaffected and you’re still covered to drive as normal. For more information on the cover provided and terms and conditions, please view the Document of Insurance.

Due to coronavirus (COVID-19) I am struggling to afford my car insurance. Can LV= help me?

Can I get a refund for mileage on my car/motorbike insurance if I haven't been using my vehicle?

We understand you may not have been using your vehicle as much as usual due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you're not eligible for our Green Heart Support and would like to discuss your options, please give us a call on 0800 085 5608 and we'll see what we can do to help.

Calls will be recorded. For TextPhone first dial 18001.

Lines open Monday to Friday 8– 8, Saturday 9 – 5 and Sunday 10 – 4.

Can I still get a Green Card for future travel?

We encourage you to follow the latest government guidelines when travelling abroad.

If you are planning to travel abroad (including to the Republic of Ireland) you must request a Green Card to make sure you’re covered.

You can apply for a Green Card online. If you're unable to do this or need further support please call us on 0800 085 5608

Lines open: Monday to Friday 8 – 8, Saturday 9 – 5 and Sunday 10 – 4.

Calls will be recorded. For Text Phone, first dial 18001.

How will coronavirus (COVID-19) affect my MOT?

Mandatory MOT testing was reintroduced on 1 August 2020 as the first lockdown restrictions began to ease.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, drivers were granted a 6 month exemption from MOT testing in March to help slow the spread of the virus. However, as the restrictions were eased, all drivers whose car, motorcycle or van was due for an MOT test from 1 August will need to get a test certificate to continue driving their vehicle.

MOT testing centres are still open to carry out essential testing and maintenance to ensure your car remains road legal.

It’s your responsibility to ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy and not driven in an unsafe condition, and we may not be able to cover you if you’re in an accident due to poor maintenance of the car. For more information on this, you can keep up to date at GOV.UK.

I’m volunteering as a COVID responder or supporting at vaccination/ test sites. Am I covered to drive to these locations?

Can I use my car as a volunteer NHS responder and/or to help vulnerable people in my community with everyday tasks?

Can I use my car to make deliveries as a primary job or as a second job to increase my income?

Do I need to let you know If I’m furloughed because of coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Do I need to let you know if my occupation has changed?

Will I still be able to make a claim?

I now need to use my car for work; will my car insurance be affected?

If you’re now using your car for work or are choosing to drive to work (including different offices/places of work) to avoid public transport due to social distancing, there’s no need to let us know. We’re adding business use (class 1) to all our existing Direct Motor policies with immediate effect and until further notice. There will be no charge for this increase in cover and it will be honoured should you need to claim. This does not cover you for delivering goods as part of your work.

This is a temporary increase in cover for our existing customers, so it’s important that if you usually include business use on your car insurance policy that you continue to do so to ensure you’re covered should you need to claim when we are no longer offering the upgraded cover at no additional cost.

If I get a new car or motorbike quote, do I need to add business use to my policy?

If you normally use your car or bike to travel to different places of work, despite the current situation with coronavirus (COVID-19), you will still need to add business use to your policy.

We’ve provided a temporary increase in cover for our existing customers during these unprecedented times. We recognise that customers who may usually only commute to one place of work may need to go to different places of work due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Will I be able to get my car repaired during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak?

What safety procedures are you following if I breakdown or need my vehicle repaired during coronavirus?

I’m a key worker; can I use my car for work due to the impact of COVID-19?

To help support our key workers during the on-going impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) business use (class 1) will be the minimum class of use for all existing LV= Direct Motor customers with immediate effect until further notice. There will be no charge for this increase in cover and it will be honoured should you need to claim.

This is a temporary increase in cover for our existing customers, so it’s important that if you usually include business use on your car insurance policy that you continue to do so to ensure you’re covered should you need to claim when we are no longer offering the free upgraded cover.

Thank you to all NHS staff and key workers across the board for doing all you’re doing, we appreciate you.

I’m a key worker; can you prioritise my repair?

Why is it taking longer for my car to be repaired?

How are your garages handling the social distancing measures set by the Government?

Will I get a replacement vehicle whilst my car is being repaired or a replacement vehicle after a total loss?

Want to know more? Visit our dedicated coronavirus hub to find out what we're doing to help our customers

Our coronavirus hub