Driving of Other Commercial Vehicles Extension

What exactly are you covered for?

   Seán McGrath, Development Underwriter

 Sean McGrath (CIP) is a Development Underwriter at Patrona Underwriting Limited (Patrona) with responsibility for the Commercial Vehicle (Flexi-Van) product. Sean worked in the broker market from 2007 in both Personal Lines and Haulage departments before assuming the role of Lead Commercial Van Underwriter with Patrona.

The Driving of Other Commercial Vehicles extension is an extension on Commercial Motor insurance which covers the policyholder for their liability towards third parties for any injury or damage they cause whilst driving another commercial vehicle which is not owned by, registered, hired or leased to them or their employer.

This extension for commercial vehicles is much more difficult to police than private motor policies due to the varying vehicle weights of commercial vehicles and due to the fact that a large number of Commercial Motor policies are in a company name, so insurers can be unsure which driver (if any) to give this extension to.

It is a common misconception among clients that you need to have Comprehensive cover for the Driving of Other Commercial Vehicles extension to operate; the majority of insurers will also give the Driving of Other Commercial Vehicles on Third Party, Fire and Theft Policies.

Most insurers will allow the Driving of Other Commercial Vehicles as standard, but certain insurers may exclude this extension for drivers with convictions, lack of driving experience, provisional licence holders or drivers under the age of 2 5.

Another issue to keep in mind is that insurers may apply territorial limitations to where the Driving of Other Commercial Vehicles extension applies. Clients would need to be made aware that no cover will be in force outside of these territorial limits. This should be covered in Insurers policy booklets but regardless of the territorial limits, Driving of Other Commercial Vehicles should never be used to cover the driving of a Commercial Vehicle outside Ireland that is also not registered in Ireland (for example driving a UK registered commercial vehicle in the UK).

Driving of Other Commercial Vehicles is for emergency purposes only, and cannot be used simultaneously with the insured’s own vehicle. If a client used a vehicle under this extension that is not insured elsewhere, then there would be no cover in place whilst the vehicle is parked or unattended; cover only applies once they are actually behind the wheel.

If the policyholder’s occupation is connected to the motor trade, which would require them to regularly drive ano ther vehicle, then Driving of Other Commercial Vehicles extension may not be allowed by the Insurer.

The commercial vehicle being used under this extension does not need to be insured elsewhere, but must otherwise be roadworthy, so vehicle would need to be taxed and have a valid DOE if required.