Police Mutual (PMAS) highlights risks to officers of under insurance
Police Mutual (PMAS) has raised concerns that some officers
might not be fully aware of the risks of being under-insured when
they use their own cars for Force business.
Police Mutual, which also operates under the 'Roland Smith'
name, is the UK's largest affinity friendly society. It has issued
the statement after noting an increasing number of cases where
police officers have not had the right class of insurance cover to
reflect the specialist nature of the police role, on their private
car.
As police officers are only too aware, drivers not only need
insurance, but they need the correct 'class of use' cover. With
insurance purchases very price-led, insurers will reduce the price
by reducing the level of cover or by increasing the excess. Many
insurers also offer a discount if a car isn't used for any business
purpose - something that is often called Social, Domestic and
Pleasure (including commuting) cover or SDP&C. Under
SDP&C cover, commuting is normally restricted to and from a
single permanent place of work. However police officers are unusual
in that they may be stationed somewhere which is not permanent or
at multiple locations, a fact which is not always understood by
insurance companies.
Pete Marr, Operations Director, Police Mutual said: "We are
seeing a rising number of police officers buying basic SDP&C
cover. This is concerning, as police officers around the country
could find themselves using their own vehicles without adequate
cover. I can understand people wanting to try and save a few pounds
on insurance, but the results of an uninsured accident could be
extremely costly."
Other personal car uses on official police business can
include:
- Travel to court, to HQ or to a training centre
- Travel to work from home during a shift
- Police Federation Rep travel to meetings where mileage is
claimed
"In all of these cases, if cover is on an SDP&C basis the
officer may be uninsured. Getting an insurance quote from a
specialist provider is one way of avoiding this risk" adds
Marr.
Ends
For more information please contact:
Jo Cardwell
Corporate Communications
Police
Mutual Group
T: 01543 305323
E: press.office@pmas.co.uk
Notes to
editors
Police Mutual Assurance Society
Police Mutual was founded in 1922 to provide welfare and
financial support for police officers.
It is the UK's largest affinity friendly society with almost
£1bn funds under management and has around 220,000 policyholders
among serving and retired police officers, staff and their family
members.
Police Mutual is owned by, and run by, members of the police
service. Its Committee of Management includes representation
from all police ranks to ensure that decisions reflect the needs of
the service as a whole.