Coronavirus (COVID-19) help and support

For the latest and most up-to-date information and guidance about COVID-19, please visit the Government and NHS FAQ pages. We've also pulled together some FAQs below about COVID-19 and where to get support. Stay safe.

General

Direct Line business insurance policies were not included in the FCA's test case and are not impacted by the outcome of The Supreme Court ruling on business interruption. Our standard commercial policies provide cover for business interruption for a list of specified diseases. In addition, any claim for denial of access requires there to have been physical damage to property in order for the policy to provide cover. As regards any potential claims for closure by a public authority there is an exclusion for infectious or contagious disease. Consequently, irrespective of the Supreme Court ruling, there is no cover for business interruption for the Covid-19 pandemic.

The FCA website has useful information on the outcome of the FCA Test Case and Supreme Court ruling on Business Interruption.

If you're having financial difficulties, we can review your levels of cover, change your payment dates or offer a payment deferral.

A payment deferral means putting off your payments for a short period. When you start paying again, the amount that has been "missed" gets spread over the remainder of the agreement.

We will not charge any additional interest to you so the total payable won't increase as a result.

Payment deferrals should only be used when absolutely necessary, the full credit agreement balance will still be due, but will be paid for over a shorter period.

Agreed payment deferrals will not have a negative impact on your credit score.

What should I do next?

If you're struggling financially then please contact us and we'll see what we can do to help. Don't cancel any payments or direct debits through your bank as this can affect your policy with us.

For free and impartial money advice, please refer to the Money Advice Service's 'Money Navigator Tool' at https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/tools/money-navigator-tool, the Business Debtline at https://www.businessdebtline.org or visit https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/dealing-financial-difficulties-coronavirus for advice on dealing with financial difficulties through Coronavirus.

You can remove covers on your policy provided they are not deemed by us as a core cover and you haven't made any claim(s) in the current period of insurance. This can be done by giving us notice on the phone. We will refund any premium paid for the remaining period of your insurance contract, and no administration fees will be charged. However, to ensure you do not remove any covers essential to your needs, please contact us to discuss your policy.

Equally, if you need to make any amendments to your policy, no administration fees will be charged.

If you're facing difficulty paying for your cover, we may be able to help you in other ways. Please contact us as soon as possible as it gives us the best chance of providing support.

We're not able to freeze policies, but we can offer payment options if you find that you can't pay for your policy this month. Please contact us as soon as possible to discuss the options available.

For example, we may be able to support you by:

  • Reviewing your levels of cover
  • Changing your payment date
  • Offering a payment deferral

A payment deferral means putting off your payments for a short period. When you start paying again, the amount that has been "missed" gets spread over the remainder of the agreement.

We will not charge any additional interest to you so the total payable won't increase as a result.

Payment deferrals should only be used when absolutely necessary, the full credit agreement balance will still be due, but will be paid for over a shorter period.

Agreed payment deferrals will not have a negative impact on your credit score.

If you have closed your business temporarily, we have waived our administration fees for cancellation during this pandemic, allowing you to cancel your policy without charges. When you're back up and running, you can take out a new policy with us.

What should I do next?

If you're struggling financially then please contact us and we'll see what we can do to help. Don't cancel any payments or direct debits through your bank as this can affect your policy with us.

For free and impartial money advice, please refer to the Money Advice Service's 'Money Navigator Tool' at https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/tools/money-navigator-tool, the Business Debtline at https://www.businessdebtline.org or visit https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/dealing-financial-difficulties-coronavirus for advice on dealing with financial difficulties through Coronavirus.