Will working from home affect my insurance?

Living

0 min read

More and more people are working from home as a result of COVID-19. They’re driving less and often have more expensive equipment in their houses.

It’s important to have the right insurance in place and ensure that you take steps to protect both your car and your belongings and ensure that your insurance policies remain valid.

We’ve put together a list of tips to help you stay on top of your insurance when you’re working from home.

Protect your equipment while working from home

If you’re going to be working from home for any length of time, you’ll need to invest in quality equipment.

This might include a good computer, monitor, router, phone, desk or chair. You might also need extra hardware or software. Your company might provide some or all of the equipment you need, but if not, you’ll need to purchase what you need.

Make sure you protect that investment. It’s very important to ensure that your computer equipment is covered by your home and contents insurance. We can help you out with that, get in touch today if needed.

Check how lower mileage affects your insurance

Working from home naturally means spending less time on the road. Double check on your car insurance if your mileage has dropped significantly.

Don’t forget about your car

You still need to carry out routine maintenance on your car even if you’re driving it less.

Periodically start up your car and get the engine going. Batteries can be impacted by the colder weather, so driving is important, even if it’s only a short trip to the shops.

Check your tyres regularly

First and foremost, looking after your car’s tyres is key to safety by reducing your chances of a blow-out and helping to ensure that the tyres are in good enough condition to deal with road conditions year-round.

But having unsafe tyres can also impact on your car insurance costs. Poorly maintained tyres increase the likelihood of having an accident. The more claims you need to make on your insurance, the higher your premiums will be.

Regularly check that you have the minimum tread depth on your tyres and that they’re inflated to the right pressure – especially if the car is sitting static for longer periods of time.

Stay on top of tax and MOT

Unless you get a SORN, you still need to stay on top of your car tax and MOT if your car is more than three years old – even if you’re driving less.

Only certain vehicles can currently get an MOT test in Northern Ireland due to COVID-19 so it’s worth checking when your MOT expires and what your next steps are.

You may not be insured if your car is not MOT’d. We recommend that you check with your insurer whether or not you are covered if your car does not have a valid MOT certificate or extension.

So, will working from home affect my insurance?

Working from home can affect the insurance you need, so you’ll need to stay on top of it and get the right policies in place.

Make sure your equipment is covered under your Home or Contents Insurance. Keep your Car Insurance up-to-date, even if you spend less time on the road.

If you’re a business owner, make sure you stay on top of your Business Insurance. And keep on top of car maintenance even if you’re driving less.

As your trusted local insurance broker, AbbeyAutoline is here to help. Get a quote or give us a call today.