Ansvar Statement 01/09/2020

Ansvar Insurance have released a new statement in respect of the Covid 19 unoccupancy extension which expired on the 31st August 2020. They have announced the following which you need to read very carefully:

Unoccupied properties

Premises that are temporarily closed solely due to the COVID-19 outbreak – temporary dispensations will cease on 31st August 2020 

 Buildings that are temporarily closed/no longer in regular use are exposed to different and usually greater risk than occupied premises and premises that are open for regular trading.

 Our standard policies define “unoccupied” premises and apply standard restrictions in cover and conditions precedent to cover that need to be complied with. Normally a higher premium is charged on unoccupied premises.

 To ensure customers were not unduly penalised for temporary closures solely due to the COVID-19 full lockdown restrictions the normal terms and conditions applicable to unoccupied premises were not applied to premises that were temporarily closed.

 Temporarily Closed meant premises temporarily closed solely due to the COVID-19 outbreak (and such premises were not regarded as unoccupied as defined in the Policy) during the period when the dispensations applied.

 With effect from 1st September 2020 temporarily closed premises must comply with all policy terms and conditions, including (but not restricted to) unoccupied premises conditions, where they fall within the normal policy definition of Unoccupied.

Please note:

  1. The start of any period of unoccupancy begins from the date the premises first became unoccupied (not from 1st September 2020). 
  2. If a premises qualifies as unoccupied on 1st September 2020 the insured must comply with all policy terms and conditions for unoccupied premises immediately from 1st September 2020 to maintain cover in line with the policy (unless otherwise agreed or varied by us in writing).
  3. Premises that are not yet open to customers/other service users, or not yet fully used in the normal way for that premises, but does have daily occupation in line with normal working hours for that premises (such as admin/office functions are now operating, or there is a daily presence in preparing for normal operations to re-commence), will not be deemed unoccupied. 

See the policy definition of unoccupied for more details. 

If in doubt whether your premises is still classed as unoccupied, please get in touch with us on 01564 730 900, or send an email to enquiries@edwardsinsurance.co.uk

From the 1st September, it’s important that you let us know if your property remains unoccupied, as this is material fact and your cover and rates may be affected.