There is no doubt the ongoing outbreak of Covid-19 has led to a series of challenges for all businesses. Whilst many companies are evolving at pace to keep up with new government guidelines, many have been forced to furlough employees and significantly reduce the size of their company fleets.
Knowing how to properly lay-up your company vehicle(s) is important information for all businesses to be made aware of. Read our five tips for properly laying-up your vehicle(s) to help prepare your business in the long-term for when everything returns to normality
1. Make a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) with DVLA
Declare your vehicle as officially off the road here. This will allow you to get a refund for any full months remaining tax.
Your vehicle must be parked in a garage, on a driveway or on private land while it has a SORN; it must not be left on a public road
2. Notify your Insurance Company
Dependent on your policy, your insurer may be able to refund you for the months your vehicle has a SORN
3. Review your Insurance Cover
Whilst your vehicle is off the road, you may want to consider reducing your level of cover to accidental damage, fire, and theft. We advise you to maintain full cover should you need to maneuver or drive your vehicle(s) for maintenance reasons during this time
4. Follow Insurer Requirements
There is no doubt the ongoing outbreak of Covid-19 has led to a series of challenges for all businesses. Whilst many companies are evolving at pace to keep up with new government guidelines, many have been forced to furlough employees and significantly reduce the size of their company fleets.
5. Reduce your Risk with Further Preventative Measures
In addition to any specific insurer requirements, consider what additional steps you could take to best protect your vehicle from fire, theft, or accidental damage. For example:
- Separate your parked vehicles by several meters.
- Spread your fleet of vehicles over multiple locations.
- Remove vehicle batteries on laid up vehicles to reduce fire risk and theft.
- Store your vehicle(s) in a well-ventilated building with locks, CCTV, and restricted access.
- Check your security measures, such as CCTV, are working as they should.
- Construct fire-break walls between groups of vehicles.
- If your vehicle has a curtain side, leave the curtains open to deter thieves.
- Block vehicles in when parking to reduce risk of theft.
What extra precautions could you take to minimise your risk?
For further advice on laying-up vehicles correctly, contact us on 01392 797 733 or email sales@exe-insurance.co.uk to talk to one of our knowledgeable experts.
