The following is a general description of the features and benefits typically available to commercial vehicle policyholders. It is NOT intended to be a complete summary of the policy cover available as such cover will vary between Insurers.
With each quotation provided by Aldium a Key Facts Summary of Cover will be supplied for the particular Insurer recommended.
LOSS OF OR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE etc
Vehicle
The cover available to you can be described as follows:
Accidental Damage, Malicious Damage, Fire, Lightning, Explosion, Theft and Attempted Theft.
Damage arising from your vehicle being taken without your permission may also be included by some Insurers.
A policy excess is usually applied.
Glass
Damage to windscreens, windows and consequent scratching of bodywork is usually covered but may be optional cover rather
than an automatic inclusion within the policy wording.
Sunroofs may be included but are not always specifically mentioned.
A policy excess is invariably applied.
Audio and other equipment
Most but not all Insurers include cover for permanently fitted audio equipment.
A limit and a policy excess will normally be applied.
Only some Insurers make specific reference to navigational equipment.
Accessories
Insurers generally provide cover for accessories and spare parts kept in or on the vehicle for use in connection with the
vehicle.
Personal Belongings
Most Insurers do not provide cover and, if it is available, it is for a low limit and excludes money, mobile phones, jewellery,
goods and samples.
What is not covered
- Loss of use and any loss which arises as a consequence of loss of use.
- Depreciation.
- Damage to tyres by braking or by cuts, punctures or bursts.
- Damage by freezing of liquid.
- Theft or attempted theft because of:
- key left in
- doors or windows not secured
- reasonable precautions not taken
- required security device not activated
- audio equipment not removed/concealed where possible
- fraud or deception
- The vehicle being driven by someone not included in the certificate of insurance.>
- The vehicle being used for a purpose not included in the certificate of insurance.
- The vehicle being driven by a person without a valid licence.
- The vehicle carrying a load in excess of the manufacturer's stated maximum.
- Riot or civil commotion outside GB.
- Operation of a tipping device.
- Repossession by the rightful owner.
- The vehicle being used for any competition, rally or trial.
- The vehicle being used ?air side? at an airport, airfield or military base.
- Damage by use of incorrect fuel.
- Mechanical, electrical or computer breakdown.
- Loss of value following repairs.
- Carriage of passengers for hire or reward.
- Carriage of hazardous substances.
- Whilst the driver is under the influence of drink or drugs.
- Additional costs arising due to parts or replacements not being available in the UK.
- Use of the vehicle in a suicide attempt or deliberate damage committed by you.
The above is not a complete list of all policy exclusions and neither do all Insurers impose all of the above. It is intended to be representative of the most significant exclusions which usually appear.
You should also read the General Exclusions section of any relevant policy.
LIABILITY TO OTHERS
Cover for you
- The amounts you become legally liable to pay for:
- Causing accidental death or bodily injury to any person.
- Causing accidental damage to anyone's property. This is usually limited to £2,000,000 or £5,000,000.
Cover for other people
The amounts the following become legally liable to pay in the
event of an accident involving your vehicle:
- Any person allowed on the certificate of insurance, provided they have your permission,
- Any person using (but not driving) your vehicle with your permission for social, domestic and pleasure purposes,
- Any person who is a passenger in, or getting in or out of, your vehicle
- Your employer or partner while you are driving or using your vehicle on their business.
What is not covered
- The liability of anyone who is covered under any other policy.
- The liability of anyone driving your vehicle without your permission.
- Liability arising out of the vehicle being driven by any person under the influence of drink or drugs.
- Death of or injury to an employee in the course of their employment.
- Liability for loss of or damage to property which belongs to you or is in your care or under your control.
- Any liability you have accepted by agreement or contract but for which there would have been no liability if that contract or agreement had not existed.
- Liability for damage to bridges, viaducts etc by vibration or weight if the load exceeds the maximum gross vehicle weight.
- Death, injury or damage arising beyond the limits of the carriageway in connection with loading or unloading of your vehicle.
- Liability arising out of any ?air side? use at an airport, airfield or military base.
- Liability arising out of use of the vehicle in a suicide attempt or deliberate damage committed by you.
- Liability arising out of the carriage of dangerous substances.
- iability caused by riot or civil commotion outside GB.
The above is not a complete list of all policy exclusions and neither do all Insurers impose all of the above. It is intended to be representative of the most significant exclusions which usually appear.
You should also read the General Exclusions section of any relevant policy.
LEGAL COSTS
If you or any person entitled to cover is involved in an accident which may lead to a claim by another person, Insurers will pay
- costs recovered by a claimant where the Insurer agreed to contest the claim
- costs incurred in the defence of any claim where the Insurer agreed to contest the claim
- costs of legal services to defend a charge of manslaughter or dangerous or reckless driving causing death
- legal fees for representation at any coroner's inquest, fatal accident inquiry or magistrates court.
What is not covered
- any legal representation if you plead guilty
- any legal representation if you want to defend any charge against the advice of the lawyer appointed by the Insurer
- defending any proceedings in the Crown Court
- any Appeal Court costs
- any legal representation of your choice which is not accepted by the Insurer
- defending any charge relating to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
EMERGENCY TREATMENT FEES
Insurers will pay emergency treatment fees as required under the Road Traffic Acts and resulting from an accident involving your
vehicle.
NO-CLAIM DISCOUNT
Some Insurers will reduce the premium you pay when you renew the policy if you have not made a claim during the period of
insurance.
The no-claim discount is not usually affected by claims for broken windscreen or windows or claims relating to emergency
treatment fees.
FOREIGN USE
Cover is usually restricted to the United Kingdom or, alternatively, Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man
or the Channel Islands.
Policies also usually provide the minimum cover required for use in any country of the European Union or any country which has
agreed to follow European Union Directives. Subject to an additional premium and prior advices to the Insurer, wider cover
can be obtained.
GENERAL EXCLUSIONS
Accident, injury, loss, damage or liability from the following are generally excluded from insurance policies:
- War, invasion, revolution or similar event
- Earthquake.
- Ionising radiations or radioactive contamination.
- Pollution or contamination.
- Terrorism.
- Pressure waves from aircraft or other aerial devices travelling at sonic or supersonic speeds.