How can I tell if I have the right Insurance cover?

Within the UK there are three main types of motor insurance accepted as-is, “Third Party”, “Third Party Fire & Theft”, and “Comprehensive”. It is often misconstrued that “Comprehensive” cover provides Class 1 (or equivalent) business use. 

Depending on the broker, there may be several classifications of business insurance including domestic and foreign business insurance (as separate or included). This is in addition to Comprehensive cover, or may be included as part of a “Full Package Comprehensive” deal as provided by your insurer but is not assured. 

Here are some common wordings that you may see on your certificate of motor insurance

Social, Domestic & Pleasure (SD&P)
This covers you for your everyday driving, travelling to visit a friend, a trip to the beach, shopping journeys and similar. 

Social, Domestic, Pleasure and Commuting (SDPC/SD&P+C)
This will cover the above and transit to and from a single, fixed work location.

Social, Domestic, Pleasure and Business use
This will cover all of the above and additional business usage, which includes travel to multiple work locations, travel to a client’s office and even transporting other colleagues to locations for work. You can find more examples here. 

Policyholder/the Insured
The authorised and principally insured person who is responsible for the maintenance of the insurance.

Named Driver/Authorised Drivers
Additional drivers who are insured by the policy.

If you have been quoted for “Wrong Cover” and you can see the business usage wording, it is worth checking if your policy states business coverage for the Named Driver(s) as well as the Policyholder, with the reverse also being possible with certain brokers.