Change to insurance policy

[Renno]

My girlfriend drives a Mazda pick up and was recently involved in an accident that wasn,t her fault. Her insurance company is saying that because she is driving a commercial vehicle and her policy is for social, domestic and pleasure that she is not insured for driving to and from her place of work and must pay £160 to upgrade her policy. How does this work as all the details on the policy are correct?

[Graham-W]

Look at the policy.
Does it say: "for social, domestic and pleasure" or "for social, domestic, pleasure and commuting to a fixed place of work"?
Mine says the latter but I know of some which exclude commuting.

[boxtops]

I agree with both of the above - I have to check my team's motor insurance policies to ensure that they are covered for commuting and for work travel, and certainly some in the past haven't covered the commuting element.

[bednobs]

how do they know she was driving it to/from work i wonder?

[joko]

surely until she arrives at work, she is not 'on the clock' so technically it would be domestic travel...
if she was driving as part of her job, such as going to see clients, then they are correct.

[R1Geezer]

If it wasn't her fault, why are her insurers involved?

[hc4361]

R1Geezer - because they give her a courtesy car while it's all being sorted out. Or they repair her car and claim it back from the other side.
Or she was hit by a non-stop vehicle.
Or a tree fell on her car. Or a pedestrian walked out in front of her.
Or she has legal cover with the insurance company and is claiming for personal injury or uninsured loss.
Why wouldn't her insurer get involved?

[R1Geezer]

if it's a no fault accident then if you get your own company involved it always ends up costing more, often the hike the premium because they think you are unluck. if at all possible I never involve my own insurer.

[bednobs]

you make it sound like you have a vast experience of being in accidents. Like my husband " never been in an accident .....seen loads happen round me though" lolol

[hc4361]

R1Geezer - you are legally obliged to inform your insurer of any and every accident, both at the time and at the time of the policy renewal.

[bednobs]

perhaps if you have had loads, that explains why your insurer thinks you are unlucky!

[flip_flop]

Contractually obliged - not legally obliged.

[redcrx]

"Her insurance company is saying that because she is driving a commercial vehicle and her policy is for social, domestic and pleasure that she is not insured for driving to and from her place of work" so are they saying that they didnt realise it was a commercial vehicle?
even for car policies the insurers ask if you drive to and from work, ive always been asked.