Are Royal Mail vehicles insured?

[steveyk]

Not sure where to post this but motoring seems most relevant. My mate says never crash into a postmans van, because all Royal Mail vehicles are not covered by any insurance because they are working for the Royal Mail, and, like the Queen, do not legally require insurance. Two ex-policemen we know both say that its true.

I dont think its true. Anyone know if it is?

[Impret-Sir]

Im sure that cant be true. All motor vehicles require insurance. A friend of mine was knocked off his push bike by a royal mail van about ten years ago, and they paid up then! The 'Royal' bit in their name just means they have a royal charter, they dont actually work for the Queen so they dont get a pass like that.

[steveyk]

Thanks Impret. Thats what I thought.

[JudgeJ]

Section 143 of the Road Traffic Act specifies that a policy of motor insurance covering Third Party risks (personal injury of damage to property) must be in force. However, Section 143 does not apply to vehicles belonging to most Council authorities in England, Wales and Scotland, or to vehicles owned by police authorities. There are also one or two other categories of vehicles which are exempt.

However, in addition, insurance is not required for a vehicle owned by a person who has deposited and keeps deposited with the Accountant General of the Supreme Court the sum of �15,000. A number of Companies choose this option. The Royal Mail may be one of them, I am not sure.

Of course, having no insurance by virtue of the exceptions provided by the Act, does not mean that the owners of such vehicles which cause injury or damage are exempt from liability. They must still pay for any damage or injury which would otherwise be covered by insurance in the usual way.

[dennis m]

The Royal Mail like many other government quango's (eg NHS) actually self-insure. Many polic forces use too but due to too many claims just buy 3rd party insurance from the market place. The Royal Mail will therefore have its own insurance department to deal with most claims with any complicated ones given to a loss adjuster.The governement would stand in the shoes of the post office if they could not pay a claim.

[dilligaf]

If you crashed into a Royal Mail van it would be your insurance that pays the bill not the Royal Mail.

Did your mate give advice on what you CAN crash into?

[steveyk]

Thanks for your replies.

So they are insured really, just not by conventional means

[steveyk]

He said small vehicles are best to crash into because they wouldn't do much damage to your own vehicle.

We were in the pub when this debate arose....... theres a surprise

[NORMANTHEDOG]

All companies like Royal mail,bt,gas,etc are covered insurance wise by a bond which is lodged with the goverment.if you were unlucky to have a crash,you would be treated no different at all,they all have there own depts to cover this sort of thing.

[gary baldy]

In fact it is good thing to run in to a Royal Mail van because they almost always accept liability and pay up.

[ianess]

JudgeJ is correct. There is one well-known bus company with Wild West / John Wayne connections but who will remain nameless falls into this category. There are probably many such examples.

[Grunty]

Yes mdoo98. It is pub speak - after quite a long session I would assume.

[Toureman]

No vehicles used by the military services have insurance, any accidents are investigated and any compensation to the other driver is paid by the government. Also all military vehicles are not taxed, although they have an MOT every two months!

Prince Charle's eldest son is motorbike mad and has a 600cc sports bike, he rides it a lot because with his helmet on nobody recognizises him, it is impossible for him because of the fast bike, his age and his position to get any insurance so he is not insured.

The same applies to the queen who drives on the public highway and is the only person in the UK who does not have a driving licence.

But as JudgeJ points out he has lodged �25000 and the other stipulation is that he must prove he has enough financial backing to pay any claim which I am sure he has!

[Hard@it]

i am sure busses,(is that right) and the Royal Mail, Police etc. can declare themselves exempt from insurance, as long as they can demonstrate they can provide for any eventuality. A bus damaged my car some years ago and they paid me direct.

[niknax71]

As a worker of Royal mail i can say that they are insured,if we hit a car the company will pay.We dont admit liabilty if the accident your fault.If a driver has a few accidents due to their careless driving they will be suspended from driving for a period of time.So no we dont always allow ourselves to be blamed just because its the company insurance and not our own personal one that has to foot the bill.

I will say though that most accidents royal mail are involved in are mostly at fault because of the silly time limits we are given to complete the duty.We are always having to rush about.

Be considerate when your postman is late,its not our fault its the damn company putting too much on us

[erimus1]

It no longer is Royal Mail as such - just uses the name. They are, and have to be insured, as required under the Road Traffic Act 1988.

I do know tht Police, Ambulanc and Fire Engines do not have cover as such. But individual are able to claim against a fund.
Regards,
Steve

[steveyk]

Thanks again for everyones replies. Didnt realise I'd get so many. Thanks niknax...... dont worry, I wont moan about the post being late.....although shouldn't you be out delivering post instead of surfing the net??? ;o)

[A2ZMAGICMAN]

Royal mail do self-insure as i have not long been on a royal mail course that stated this - no one can afford to insure them as they are as rich as any insurer - so its cheaper to self insure - the same goes for their buildings - the insurance would be that high that they can afford to rebuild should anything happen - i pressume that any vehicle accident would go through any normal procedure and the person in the wrong would have there insurance pay up or in the case of the royal mail being at fault , then they would pay up out of their many millions