Coronavirus - Frequently Asked Questions

As the impact of coronavirus is felt across the UK, you may have concerns about how it could affect you and your car insurance policy. Your peace of mind is still our top priority. So, we’ve put in place some frequently asked questions to support you.

How do I get in touch?

We’ve been experiencing a high volume of calls into our contact centre which may mean longer waiting times than usual. We ask that you only call  our contact centre team if absolutely necessary, as we want to keep our phone lines available to customers who need our support the most.

There are other ways you can contact us:

Self Service Centre
Our Self Service Centre is a much quicker way to check your details, make a change to your policy or send us your proof of no claims discount. Either log in to your Self-Service Centre or register now.

Webchat
You can also use our Webchat service which is available Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-6pm and Sunday 10am-4pm to make changes, accept or decline your renewal.

If you need to make a claim, please call 0344 2090 472.

Please note, any temporary changes made to your policy due to Covid-19 will not be reflected in your current policy documents or within any upcoming renewal communication. If your change does become permanent, please update your policy details in your Self Service Centre.

How are we supporting our key worker customers?

We’ve actively reached out to eligible key worker motor insurance customers and made additional breakdown assistance available to them, if they need it, at no extra cost.

We’ve also pledged to provide a guaranteed replacement vehicle for eligible key workers in the event of an accident.

This support means our customers can continue to travel safely to places of employment or other destinations where they are undertaking crucial work in helping the UK fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

Car Insurance and COVID-19 frequently asked questions

  • 1.
    Due to my type of occupation I cannot work from home and because of the impact of Covid-19 must drive to my work - do I need to extend my cover?

    No. If you now need to drive to your workplace, your insurance cover is still valid. You don’t need to contact us to change or extend your cover.

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  • 2.
    I'm volunteering during this time and using my own vehicle to help others get essentials – do I need to amend my motor insurance cover?

    If you’re using your own private 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 don’t need to contact us to update your cover.

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  • 3.
    I’m a key worker and I’m now using my vehicle for work purposes – do I need to extend my motor insurance cover?

    If you’re a key worker and using your own car to drive to different locations for work purposes because of the impact of Covid-19, your cover won’t be affected. You don’t need to contact us to update your cover.

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  • 4.
    What are the latest MOT requirements?

    Earlier this year, the Government extended MOT due dates for cars and light vans that fell between 30 March – 31 July 2020 by six months.

    This meant that, for example, if your vehicle’s MOT was due on 24 April, your MOT due date would have been automatically extended to 24 October. Your next MOT should then be booked and completed by this new date.

    Pre Covid-19 MOT requirements resumed on 1 August 2020. This means, if your MOT due date is on or after 1 August 2020, you must get the test done for your vehicle by this date. Vehicle owners are no longer eligible for a six-month MOT extension.

    Drivers eligible for the six-month extension are still required to properly maintain their vehicle and keep it in a roadworthy condition.

    Providing you keep your vehicle safe to drive, your cover is not affected.

    For more information and the latest guidance on MOTs, please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-mots-for-cars-vans-and-motorcycles-due-from-30-march-2020.

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  • 5.
    I'm worried that I might not be able to continue to make my payments – can you help?

    Yes, we’re here to help. We’re aware that there may be an  impact on people’s livelihoods due to Covid-19. If you think you may be unable to maintain your regular policy payments, please contact us as soon as possible on please call 0344 209 0471.

    We have specialists on hand who can discuss your individual circumstances and agree how we can help with your financial situation. There are several ways we may be able to help including; moving your payment dates, agreeing partial payments or payment holidays in the short term and removing any fees applied to your policy.

    Don’t wait until you miss a payment as we can help you in advance. We ask that you don’t cancel your payments or direct debits as this can result in your policy being cancelled and we don’t want you to be left uninsured, please get in touch with us in the first instance

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If you have a query that is not covered in our frequently asked questions, please contact our Webchat service which is available Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-6pm, Sunday and Bank Holidays 10am-4pm.

Halifax is a division of Bank of Scotland plc. Registered in Scotland No. SC327000. Registered Office: The Mound, Edinburgh EH1 1YZ. Bank of Scotland plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 169628.

Halifax Car Insurance is underwritten by a panel of insurers and is arranged and administered by BISL Limited who are an independent intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England No 3231094.