Motor Insurance Exclusion clause

Alfie_J

I was scrolling through my motor insurance certificate the other day (for no particular reason, obviously nothing better to do) but was intrigued with one of the usage exclusions.
The relevant section says:

Use for social, domestic and pleasure purposes (including commuting)
EXCLUSIONS
Use for any business purposes, any purpose in connection with the motor trade or for hiring, racing, competitions, rallies or trials.
Use to secure the release of a motor car, other than the vehicle identified above by its registration mark, which has been seized by, or on behalf of, any government or public authority.

What does that last line mean? I would seem to me that, say for example, a friend had their car towed away and I then drove them to the car pound to retrieve it, I wouldn't be insured??

TadleyBaggie

Alfie_J said:

I was scrolling through my motor insurance certificate the other day (for no particular reason, obviously nothing better to do) but was intrigued with one of the usage exclusions.
The relevant section says:

Use for social, domestic and pleasure purposes (including commuting)
EXCLUSIONS
Use for any business purposes, any purpose in connection with the motor trade or for hiring, racing, competitions, rallies or trials.
Use to secure the release of a motor car, other than the vehicle identified above by its registration mark, which has been seized by, or on behalf of, any government or public authority.

What does that last line mean? I would seem to me that, say for example, a friend had their car towed away and I then drove them to the car pound to retrieve it, I wouldn't be insured??

That's not what it means at all. I means your insurance cannot be used to get a car released from a pound.

Alfie_J

Thanks. I was misreading the the word 'use' - so not 'use of the vehicle', but 'use of the certificate'.
I obviously don't understand insurance-speak!

DullGreyGuy

Alfie_J said:

I was scrolling through my motor insurance certificate the other day (for no particular reason, obviously nothing better to do) but was intrigued with one of the usage exclusions.
The relevant section says:

Use for social, domestic and pleasure purposes (including commuting)
EXCLUSIONS
Use for any business purposes, any purpose in connection with the motor trade or for hiring, racing, competitions, rallies or trials.
Use to secure the release of a motor car, other than the vehicle identified above by its registration mark, which has been seized by, or on behalf of, any government or public authority.

What does that last line mean? I would seem to me that, say for example, a friend had their car towed away and I then drove them to the car pound to retrieve it, I wouldn't be insured??

Your policy is likely to include Driving Other Cars, meaning the policyholder can drive any car in the UK as long as they have the owners permission, that you arent the owner and that its not a car on finance or hired to you. When driving under DoC you are only covered for third party risks, no cover for the car itself (ie the legal minimum insurance in the UK).


The Exclusion above is intended to be such that if your friend has their car ceased for no insurance, for example, you cannot go to the pound and get them to release the car to you on the basis you can drive it under the DoC cover. It's a standard clause in all personal motor policies to help ensure you dont get the car out, give him the keys and he continues driving without insurance.