Car Insurance

Car insurance is a legal requirement in the UK and NI. Driving without the correct type of car insurance can lead to disqualification, fines and penalty points. The legal minimum is third party cover. The most common type of cover is SDP (Social Domestic Pleasure), which is often one of the lower-cost options. These types are referred to as “class of use” and simply mean the intended use of the vehicle. It is important to give your insurance provider the correct information, and if you later intend to change your usage, for example from SDP to SDP+C or business use, you are obliged to inform your insurance provider in advance. Failure to do so can equate to driving without insurance.

What are the different car insurance classes of use?

1. Social, Domestic and Pleasure (SDP)

This is simply everyday driving, going to the shops, dropping the kids to school, social and leisure outings are some typical examples 

2. Social, Domestic, Pleasure and Commuting (SDP+C)

This is the next most requested usage cover and includes SDP plus allow you to commute to and from work. Please note, if your work entails visiting clients, then you most likely need the next level of usage cover that includes business usage.

3. Personal business use (SDPC + business use)

The third level of cover includes the above two, plus business usage, The business usage is split into 3 sub levels as details below.

• Class1 Business Usage  : Required if you will be using your car for business purpose, example travelling or visiting clients. The opposite of just travelling to work and home from work. 
• Class 2 Business Usage : An extension of class 1 business use that allow an additional driver to use the vehicle for business purposes. 
• Class 3 Business Usage : If you are using your car or vehicle extensively for business use, then this level of cover be required. Your broker can advise you further. A sales rep would be a good example of the type of job that would need this type of extended business use cover.
• Commercial Use  : this type of cover is required if you are using your vehicle to perform your job, examples include taxi and private hire drivers, chauffeurs, and delivery drivers

Did you know? COVID-19 changed the way we shop with a surge in buying online with doorstep delivery.  This in turn has led to demand for delivery drivers from firms like Amazon, Just eat and Deliveroo. Before taking a delivery gig, make sure you have the correct level of cover, SDP will not cover you for courier work.