Rumours claim UK car insurance policies are invalid during Red Alerts – Fact Check

ByCraig Haley

Rumours are spreading across the UK that drivers will not have valid car insurance if driving after a Red Alert has been issued by the UK Met Office, and as such are not insured if they are involved in an accident.

A Red Alert is the highest possible weather alert issued by the Met Office and means “take action”. It has been issued recently over areas of Scotland as well as South Wales and South England. Drivers have been advised not to travel at any time when a Red Alert has been issued.

Rumours like the one below are travelling across social media –

Notice to all drivers. It is now a declared red alert weather forecast. Which mean your car is not insured to drive. Be warned about this fact.

Despite such claims, they are not true. Drivers in the UK still have car insurance, even when travelling during a Red Alert. This rumour has spread a number of times across the UK over the last few years whenever bad weather is forecast to hit the UK.


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Of course, insurance companies may refuse to pay out if they believe the driver was driving negligently or inappropriately based on the weather conditions. Of course, however, this is true regardless of whether a Red Alert has been issued or not.

A spokesperson for the AA has said of the rumour –

It’s total nonsense to say you would not be covered during a red weather warning…
If you were caught up in the red warning on the road, are you supposed to pull over and freeze?

Readers are advised to contact their insurance company if they have any questions.

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