Members of the Association of British Insurers (ABI) have confirmed that where office-based workers continue to work from home, or employees drive to their workplace rather than use public transport due to Covid-19, they won’t need to contact their insurer to update or extend their cover.

The ABI first pledged to help customers back in March when the pandemic began. The pledge was subsequently renewed three times and was due to remain in place until the end of 2020. But the insurance trade body has now announced that insurers will extend Covid-19 support until March 2021.

The ABI says this continued extra support could be of significant help to many of the UK’s 17 million home insurance policyholders and 27 million motor insurance customers as the impact of the pandemic continues to be felt across the UK.

What does the pledge cover?

If you are an office-based worker and are working from home because of the pandemic, your home insurance cover won’t be affected. You don’t need to contact your insurer to update your documents or extend your cover.

If you have to drive to and from your workplace because of the impact of Covid-19, your insurance policy will also not be affected. You don’t need to contact your insurer to update your documents or extend your cover.

Also, if you are using your own car for voluntary purposes to transport medicines or groceries to support others who are impacted by Covid-19, your cover won’t be affected. You don’t 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.

Laura Hughes, ABI’s manager for general insurance, said: “The pandemic continues to cause significant disruption and worry, and the further extension of these temporary pledges reflects the commitment of insurers to helping customers as we battle our way out of the crisis. From pledges of extra support, paying over £1.8bn in Covid-related claims, and donating through the Covid-19 Support Fund over £100m to help the most vulnerable, insurers continue to do all they can to help their customers and wider society.”

Dan Hutson, head of motor insurance at Compare the Market, said: “Motorists will be relieved that insurers have extended Covid-19 support until March. As social distancing measures are likely to continue next year, it’s only right that those who are still impacted should continue to receive support. Key workers, volunteers helping their communities, and those who still need to commute by car will appreciate the flexibility offered by insurers in extending their cover.”