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Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 39, 15 February 1941, Page 8

INSURANCE CLAIMS

USE OF MOTOR VEHICLES

The'use of- their ■ vehicles on Home Guard duties will not affect the. right of the'owners under insurance policies, according to a statement made last night by the Minister of National Service (Mr. Semple). He said that.if a vehicle belonging to a Home Guardsman: and actually being used by him in person was involved in an . accident, the insurance office concerned would meet any bqna fide claim to the car or other property.

Mr. Semple said that the Government had been, approached by; a •.•number of persons serving under the Home Guard and the Emergency Precautions Scheme respecting; the liability ..for claims arising . put of accidents to motor vehicles being used for Home Guard and emergency purposes. "The position is," said the Minister, "that Home Guardsmen who have no other means of transport may use their cars or trucks to, convey themselves and sometimes other Guardsmen to and from parades, while at times their vehicles may be used for training purposes. . .

"So far as. personal injury is concerned, any Home Guardsman who is injured may qualify for a pension or allowance for himself and his dependants on the same basis and at the same rates, as provided for the members of the Territorial Forces. The possibility of death is also covered by these pension provisions.

"However, the position regarding damage to the vehicle concerned or to third party property was not quite so clear, and in order to clarify the position, arrangements were made for a conference of representatives of all the insurance offices concerned. This conference unanimously decided that no differentiation would be made between claims ■of this nature ' and • ordinary claims. In other words, if a vehicle belonging to a Home Guardsman and actually being used by. him in person, -is involved in an accident, the insurance office concerned will meet any bona fide claim for damage to the car or to other property. ' • y- , "Policy-holders concerned may, therefore, rest assured that the use of their vehicles on Home Guard duties will not affect their rights under policies of insurance,". said the Minister, "but it should be noted that in the event of enemy action becoming imrinnent- or actually occurring, the position of all insurance contracts will require reconsideration. I also wish to emphasise that the onus for. insuring a vehicle is on the owner, and if he fails to take this precaution the Government cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising of an accident occurring while on Home Guard duties."