Insurance Ireland members has announced the continuation of forbearance measures, plus the introduction of additional measures, to help customers following the Government’s decision to move to Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions.

Statement on behalf of Allianz, Aviva, AXA, FBD, RSA Insurance Ireland and Zurich

• Measures for personal customers include flexibility for customers in financial distress; no cancellation fees or missed direct debit fees; continuing extension of cover for home working; priority for HSE staff
• Additional measures for personal customers include:

o Driving Licences/Learner Permits – cover will continue to be provided where customers are unable to renew driving licences and learner permits due to Covid-19 National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) delays

o NCT – cover will continue to be provided where customers are unable to obtain their NCT due to Covid-19 delays at NCT centres

• Measures for business customers include working with policyholders who need to adjust their premiums for Employer Liability / Public Liability (EL/PL) and Commercial Motor for the periods they are not trading; renewal flexibility; maintenance of existing cover where the premises is closed or unoccupied; upporting requests for a change of use during the Covid-19 crisis

o Additional measures for business customers include:

• Cover will continue to be provided where customers are unable to obtain their Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness

Test (CVRT) due to Covid-19 delays at CVRT centres.

• Cover will continue to be provided where HGV operators are unable to renew their CPC cards due to Covid-19 delays.

Issued 27 January, 2021. In the context of the Government’s decision to continue with Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions for a longer period, Insurance Ireland members have today announced the continuation and enhancement of forbearance measures that were put in place in the earlier periods of nationwide lockdown, as well as the introduction of additional measures.

The insurance sector fully appreciates that this is an incredibly difficult time for families and businesses as people seek to make the right decisions for their own health and safety and that of their families and employees.

Irish insurers continue to pay out €250 million to customers in claims and benefits every week. Customers can be assured that their insurers will continue to deliver for them during the crisis, paying pensions and settling claims for life, travel, household, property, liability, motor and health insurance. This has involved a move towards remote working, significant IT work and making business processes more flexible to better serve customers.

Across the personal and business customer base, Irish General Insurers are continuing a range of forbearance measures for those impacted by the new Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions. A number of new initiatives have also been added to take account of the length of the lockdown period. Additional measures for personal customers include:

• Driving Licences/Learner Permits – cover will continue to be provided where customers are unable to renew driving licences and learner permits due to Covid-19 National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) delays.
• NCT – cover will continue to be provided where customers are unable to obtain their NCT due to Covid-19 delays at NCT centres.

Additional measures for business customers include:

• Cover will continue to be provided where customers are unable to obtain their Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test (CVRT) due to Covid-19 delays at CVRT centres.
• Cover will continue to be provided where HGV operators are unable to renew their Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) cards due to Covid-19 delays.

While the solutions will vary by company to reflect the different products in the market, the overall list of measures that are common to most are:

Personal Customers

• A commitment to deal fairly and flexibly with customers in financial distress.
• Renewal grace period extended to 28 days (following contact with the customer or broker to confirm the extension).
• No cancellation fees or missed direct debit fees.
• Extension of credit facilities with relevant brokers.
• Home working – extension of cover under standard household policies.
• Volunteer driving associated with Covid-19 is covered on private car policies under social, domestic and pleasure use, incl. HSE volunteers.
• Priority for HSE professionals – breakdown service, courtesy car if required, priority for repairs & claims, free enhanced personal belongings cover.
• Insurance certs / validating coverage – ensuring a pragmatic approach to validating insurance coverage by An Garda Siochana.
• Driving Licences/Learner Permits – cover will continue to be provided where customers are unable to renew driving licences and learner permits due to Covid-19 National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) delays
• NCT – cover will continue to be provided where customers are unable to obtain their NCT due to Covid-19 delays at NCT centres.

Business Customers

• Insurers will reduce premiums for business customers to reflect reduced level of exposure as a result of Covid-19 restrictions for Employer Liability / Public Liability (EL/PL) and Commercial Motor.
• Insurers will allow up to 28 days after renewal for payment.
• Cover will be maintained for unoccupied commercial buildings/ premises not in use due to Covid-19 restriction (max. 90 days). Appropriate supervision and security of the premises is required.
• Insurers will support requests for a change of property use during the crisis for business impacted by Covid-19 restrictions.
• Cover will continue to be provided where customers are unable to obtain their Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test (CVRT) due to Covid-19 delays at CVRT centres.
• Cover will continue to be provided where HGV operators are unable to renew their Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) cards due to Covid-19 delays.
• Customers wishing to avail of any of these measures should contact their insurer or broker directly.

Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive of Insurance Ireland, said “Our members have been taking action to support their customers throughout the Covid-19 restrictions, and are committed to continuing to support our customers once again. Our member companies also have information and advice on their own websites and have been communicating with customers and brokers to provide advice and support throughout this difficult period.”