(at 04/01/21)
Commercial (Non Motor) Renewal Rebates
We recognise that many businesses will experience a considerable reduction in their exposures (e.g. wages, turnover, vehicle numbers) during this pandemic, where premium is calculated on projections, and at the customers choosing, we will continue to offer a choice of the following options:
- Accept revised exposure declarations pre renewal
or - Recalculate renewal terms on revised projections when the crisis period ends and allow credits against next renewal
or - Allow premium returns based on revised declarations at the end of the insurance period.
Commercial Premises Closure and Temporary Closure
Existing cover will continue to apply in respect of Material Damage / Business Interruption up to and including 28 February 2021, without the need to notify us that the Insured Premises is closed and temporarily unoccupied due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
Customers should advise us at their earliest opportunity if the premises are unoccupied for reasons other than compliance with the Government’s Covid-19 restrictive measures.
Customers should endeavour where practical and safe to inspect their premises on a weekly basis and address any issues of concern.
The following risk protections should apply as a minimum: –
- All fire protection, detection, and security systems to remain active and monitored remotely where possible.
- All external doors and windows to be closed and securely locked.
- All internal and external combustible waste should be removed from the premises.
Premium Instalments
From the outset of this crisis Aviva pledged to assist customers during this difficult time and this commitment will continue on a case by case basis. Where customers are unable to pay their monthly instalment premium, we will extend the collection period on those cases by 30 days up to 28 February 2021 and will review as the current situation continues.
Extension of use of Business Premises
Cover is extended to facilitate businesses that must close for indoor service and move to provide a take-out service only, ie restaurants, cafes and bars.
Laid up Vehicles – Commercial Motor and Motor Fleet
We will suspend cover on vehicles that are off the road and will not be used or driven during the period when the Level 5 restrictions apply up to and including 28 February 2021 subject to the vehicle being retained by the Policyholder.
To suspend cover:
Policyholders will need to let you (their Broker) know as soon as they take a vehicle off the road.
- They should send an email confirmation of the specific registration number(s) of the vehicle(s), confirming they will not be used/driven and are being retained by the
policyholder. - You, the Broker in turn should immediately inform Aviva by email the details of the vehicle(s) and confirmation that it will not be used/driven and is off the road.
- It is important that your client contacts you immediately, as we will not be able to address this retrospectively at the time of their policy renewal, as part of the year end declaration.
Minimum Deposit Policy Endorsement
In relation to policies with Minimum and Deposit clauses, we will continue to review these on a case by case basis and, where appropriate, will not insist on minimum and deposit premiums where exposures reduce during the pandemic period. We will keep this under review as the situation evolves.
Loss Prevention Guides
Our Risk Management team have developed a number of documents on Loss Prevention covering a variety of essential Covid-19 risk management guidance to minimise new risk exposures which we hope will be of use to you and your customers.
Examples of these include:
- Managing Change during lockdown and Covid-19
- Measures to manage people and operations following a shutdown
- Essential Driver Guides
- Construction Sites
- Cyber Security and homeworking guides
(at 25/05/20)
Commercial (Non-Motor) Renewals Flexibility
We offered renewals at expiry rates for April, May and June and are now extending this offer on renewals at expiry rate for July renewals, with the exception of a very small number of cases where significant remediation is required. In addition, here is a reminder of the options we are offering where the premium is calculated on projections recognising that many businesses will see a considerable reduction in their exposures (e.g. wages, turnover, vehicle numbers) during this crisis. 1. Accept revised exposure declarations pre renewal or 2. Recalculate renewal terms on revised projections when the crisis period ends and allow credits against next renewal or 3. Allow premium returns based on revised declarations at the end of the insurance period.
Commercial Premises Closure and Temporary Closure
Existing cover will continue to apply in respect of Material Damage / Business Interruption up to and including the 30 June 2020, without the need to notify us that the Insured Premises is closed and temporarily unoccupied due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Customers should advise us if the premises are unoccupied at their earliest opportunity. Customers should endeavour where practical and safe to inspect their premises on a weekly basis and address any issues of concern. The following risk protections should apply as a minimum:
- All fire protection, detection, and security systems to remain active and monitored remotely where possible.
- All external doors and windows to be closed and securely locked.
- All internal and external combustible waste should be removed from the premises.
Premium Instalments
Aviva will continue to assist customers during this difficult time and will work with customers on a case by case basis. Where customers are unable to pay their monthly instalment premium, we will extend the collection period on those cases by 30 days up to 15 June 2020 and will review as the current situation continues
Laid-up Vehicles – Commercial Motor
During this challenging time Aviva are here to support you and your customers. We have agreed to suspend cover on vehicles that are off the road and will not be used or driven in any way and are retained by the Policyholder from the official Covid-19 Lockdown date of 27 March. To suspend cover:
Policyholders will need to let you (their Broker) know as soon as they take a vehicle off the road.
- They should send an email confirmation of the specific registration number(s) of the vehicle(s), confirming they will not be used/driven and are retained by the policyholder.
- You, the Broker should let us know by email at the time the vehicle(s) will not be used/driven and are off the road.
- If you have not already done so, please let us know of any vehicle/s suspended on or after 27 March, please arrange to send us details immediately to include evidence that the customer has requested this suspension, including the suspension date.
- It is important that they do this right away, as we will not be able to address this retrospectively at the time of their policy renewal, as part of the year end declaration.
- As businesses reopened from the 18 May, it is important that the Policyholder advise you when they plan to use the vehicle(s) again, and that you notify Aviva immediately. We will confirm to you once the cover is reinstated and cover will only be activated again once we confirm such cover.
Aviva Driving School
Following the Government’s announcement of the five-phase reopening plan, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are seeking clarification as to when driver tuition and testing can resume. Until we have a definitive date, we are unable to provide driving lessons.
We have written to Aviva Driving School pupils who are currently availing of the Accompanied Driver Cover to advise the following:
- We will extend their free accompanied driver insurance cover until 31 December 2020, on request by the policyholder. However, this free accompanied driver cover is only available to those pupils who already had this free cover activated for them to drive on a policy as at 13 March 2020 and had not completed all their driving lessons at that time.
- To secure this extended cover, the policyholder will need to contact their broker, following which the broker should contact Aviva’s National Personal Lines @pi.ireland@aviva.com.
- The extension of insurance cover up to 31 December 2020 is subject to the insured’s motor policy remaining with Aviva Insurance Ireland up to that date and terms and conditions.
(at 26/03/20)
Firstly, we hope that you and your loved ones are well as you navigate through the many challenges that Covid-19 has brought to you and your customers. We in Aviva appreciate that this is an incredibly difficult time for families and businesses. We are here and committed to supporting you through this.
Last week we advised you on the details of our interim renewal process and promised to keep you updated on a regular basis. We are pleased to now respond to your feedback and queries and attach a second update on the service initiatives that we are introducing immediately.
Additional measures to support your customers
We realise the immense pressure that businesses are facing at present, as they attempt to deal with the impact of Covid-19, and we have taken a number of additional measures to support you and your customers, which include the following:
- Flexibility on commercial renewals for April, May and June renewals.
- Extensions on Monthly Premium Instalments providing a 30-day extension period to April 30th for those who are unable to pay their monthly instalment premium.
- No need to notify us that an insured premises is temporarily unoccupied due to Covid-19 closure.
- Providing rebates of any premiums that are due on cancellation of policies.
- Working from home cover extensions.
Extra help for HSE and Healthcare workers
In recognition of the enormous pressure being placed on those working in the HSE, Aviva are supporting our HSE workers who are keeping us safe during the Covid-19 crisis.
- We’ll help to keep HSE workers on the road when they’re working and travelling to/from work.
- We’re prioritising HSE worker claims.
- We’re protecting their belongings, so they don’t need to worry if they’re lost or stolen.
Measures include:
- Free courtesy car provided to any HSE & Healthcare workers with an Aviva motor policy if their car is involved in an accident. A courtesy car will be provided until the car is repaired.
- Priority repairs – claims for HSE & Healthcare workers will be prioritised.
- Full protected NCD for HSE & Healthcare staff who have an accident while working/commuting.
- Priority service for all HSE & Healthcare workers for duration Covid-19 crisis.
See attached for further details
At Aviva, we have robust and tested business continuity plans in place and over the last few weeks, we have made detailed preparations for a number of specific Covid-19 scenarios. A significant number of our colleagues are working remotely, with small numbers working at our four office locations who remain supported and protected on-site.
Our priority remains the safety and welfare of our colleagues, customers and suppliers and the delivery of an efficient service to you.
These are challenging times for all but we will continue to support you in any way we can. We will closely monitor the guidelines and advice from the Irish Government and the HSE and will keep you informed of any new developments.
Thank you for your continued understanding and support and please stay safe.
(Position at 30/03/20 unless otherwise stated)
“Extra help for HSE and Healthcare workers
In recognition of the enormous pressure being placed on those working in the HSE, Aviva are supporting our HSE workers who are keeping us safe during the Covid-19 crisis.
- We’ll help to keep HSE workers on the road when they’re working and travelling to/from work.
- We’re prioritising HSE worker claims.
- We’re protecting their belongings, so they don’t need to worry if they’re lost or stolen.
Measures include:
- Free courtesy car provided to any HSE & Healthcare workers with an Aviva motor policy if their car is involved in an accident. A courtesy car will be provided until the car is repaired.
- Priority repairs – claims for HSE & Healthcare workers will be prioritised.
- Full protected NCD for HSE & Healthcare staff who have an accident while working/commuting.
- Priority service for all HSE & Healthcare workers for duration Covid-19 crisis.”
“Commercial Renewals Flexibility (up to 30/05/2020)
We appreciate the difficulty that our customers may have in providing projections over the coming months. We will offer renewal at expiry rates on all April, May and June renewals, with the exception of a very small number of cases where significant remediation is required. In addition, recognising that many businesses will see a considerable reduction in their exposures (e.g. wages, turnover, vehicle numbers) during this crisis, where premium is calculated on projections, and at the customers choosing, we will offer a choice of the following options:
- Accept revised exposure declarations pre renewal or
- Recalculate renewal terms on revised projections when the crisis period ends and allow credits against next renewal. or
- Allow premium returns based on revised declarations at the end of the insurance period.”
“Premium Instalments
Aviva will assist customers during this difficult time and will work with customers on a case by case basis. Where customers are unable to pay their monthly instalment premium, we will extend the collection period on those cases by a further 30 days. We will provide this commitment up to 30th April 2020 but will be continuously reviewing as the current situation develops thereafter.”
(Update on 14/04/20 as follows)
“We will continue to work with customers on a case by case basis. Where customers are unable to pay their monthly instalment, we are extending our facility for a further 30-day period, up to and including the 15th May 2020.”
“Commercial Premises Closure and Temporary Closure:
Existing cover will continue to apply in respect of Material Damage / Business Interruption up to and including 30th of April 2020, without the need to notify us that the Insured Premises is closed and temporarily unoccupied due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Customers should continue to advise us if the premises are unoccupied at their earliest opportunity. Customers should endeavour where practical and safe to inspect their premises on a weekly basis and address any issues of concern. The following risk protections should apply as a minimum: –
- All fire protection, detection, and security systems to remain active and monitored remotely where possible.
- All external doors and windows to be closed and securely locked.
- All internal and external combustible waste should be removed from the premises.
You can also download our Loss Prevention Standard Guide for Covid-19 here to provide some general guidance and practical steps which you can share with your clients to help plan and mitigate the threat and spread of Covid-19.”
Commercial Premises Closure and Temporary Closure:
(Update on 14/04/20 as follows)
“Existing cover continues to apply in respect of Material Damage / Business Interruption up to and including 30th of April 2020, without the need to notify us that the Insured Premises is closed and temporarily unoccupied due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
We confirm that we are extending this period up to and including 30th of June 2020. Customers should continue to advise us if the premises are unoccupied at their earliest opportunity and should endeavour, where practical and safe, to inspect their premises on a weekly basis and address any issues of concern.”
“Commercial Policy Cancellation:
Aviva will continue to honour existing policy terms and conditions. Where a policy is cancelled, we will allow for rebates of premiums where such a rebate is due to the customer.”
“Minimum & Deposit Endorsements:
In relation to policies with Minimum and Deposit clauses, we will review these on a case by case basis and, where appropriate, will not insist on minimum and deposit premiums where exposures reduce during the crisis period. We will keep this under review as the situation develops.”
“Home working – Home Insurance:
We continue to provide working from home cover – including all home business equipment as standard up to contents sum insured, to customers when they work from home.”
