insurance
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by John Vann, FCII
Medical fitness test for drivers
• Heavy goods vehicle drivers face a new regulation from February 2. From Monday, • applicants for an ordinary driving licence or those applying for a renewal will have to obtain also an h.g.v. driver's licence if they wish to drive heavy commercial vehicles. The same applies to anyone applying for a new driving licence; it will not permit him to drive a truck. And applicants for an h.g.v. licence must supply a medical certificate. It's a case of no certificate, then no licence.
This is causing a little apprehension among some drivers, especially the older ones, who fear (perhaps mistakenly) that they may not be able to obtain a clean medical report. The implications are serious, of course, and that is what's causing the apprehension.
"Can insurance help in any way if I fail my medical?" This was a question from one anxious driver. What he had in mind was whether it was possible to take out insurance cover to give him some kind of monetary compensation in these circumstances.
At least one group-of insurers is working on a scheme, but details have not yet been announced. The idea is to pay the driver who fails the fitness test the sum of £1,000. One particular firm which employs many drivers will offer non-fit drivers alternative employment within the firm, though the weekly wage may well be less than the previous pay as a driver. In this event, the £1,000 payment will help to offset any drop in wages. For example, a 55-year-old man failing his test could absorb a £2 /£3 weekly wage cut out of the insurance payment, assuming a normal working life up to age 65.
A driver may also be hit in another way. This is if he should be off work due to accident or illness with little or no pay until he's back in harness again. A personal accident policy should be a "must" in these circumstances, especially if the driver is a married man with family responsibilities. Sickness cover may be taken out in addition ‘. to accident cover, though this does cause tbe premium to shoot up.
What about National Insurance benefits? Well, the payments from National Insurance would certainly help but they'd hardly do more than keep the wolf from the door. A supplementary private insurance is necessary to give extra income to make up the driver's normal weekly pay.
The normal unit of accident cover offers £10 a week for 104 weeks for temporary total disablement. Also included is £1,000 for death by accident or the loss of limbs and /or eyes. The cost is around £6 a year. Higher benefits are obtainable at a proportionately higher premium. If sickness cover is required, the charge may be anything from £15 to £20 per year for £10 a week.
A firm may take out a group personal accident policy for all its drivers. In this way, a special discount may be given. The firm may pay the full premium or may share the cost with each driver. An alternative is for the driver to pay through his firm as a deduction from his wages.