VEHICLES USED BY HOME GUARDSMEN

Southland Times, Issue 24361, 15 February 1941, Page 6

VEHICLES USED BY HOME GUARDSMEN

RIGHTS UNDER INSURANCE POLICIES NOT AFFECTED (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 14. The Government had been approached by a number of persons serving under the Home Guard and the Emergency Precautions Scheme respecting liability for claims arising out of accidents to motor-vehicles being used for Home Guard and emergency purposes, said the Minister of National Service, the Hon. R. Semple tonight “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, and at times their vehicles may be used for training purposes. Any Home Guardsman who is injured may qualify for a pension or al- ' lowance for himself and his dependents on the same basis and at the same rates as provided for 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 the property of a third party was not quite j so clear, and to clarify the position arrangements were made for a conference of representatives of all 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 Guardsman and being used by him is involved in an accident, the insurance office concerned will meet any bona fide claim for damage to a car- or other property. 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, but it should be noted that in the event of enemy action becoming imminent, or actually occurring, the position of all insurance contracts will require reconsideration. I also wish to emphasize 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 out of an accident occurring while on Home Guard duties.”