The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has released a statement on the recent car park fire at Luton airport, along with guidance and FAQs for anyone affected.
If you have a car insurance policy taken out through Wesleyan and need to make a claim, you'll find the details you need here.
Statement from the ABI:
“Insurers continue to do all they can to help their customers. We (the ABI) have worked with fellow industry body the Motor Insurers’ Bureau to obtain and share the number plates of the vehicles in the car park with our members, who are contacting customers as quickly as possible.
"Many insurers are covering the costs of their customers’ journeys home from the airport, others have said they will waive policy excesses and that any claim from the fire will not impact no claims discounts. If you suspect that your vehicle may have been damaged in the fire and have not already done so, speak to your insurer to see what support is available.
“The car park has suffered extensive damage and it won’t be possible for anyone to enter the building to assess vehicles or retrieve belongings until it has been deemed safe. Our discussions with Luton Airport and APCOA are ongoing and we will continue to work together, prioritising safety at all times, to make sure customers are updated.”
FAQs
What should I do if my car is in the car park?
If your car is in the car park, you should notify your motor insurer. Insurers should now have access to most of the number plates of the vehicles that were in the car park and can advise whether your vehicle has been affected.
The fire service and authorities are working to ascertain the extent of this damage and to determine at what point it will be safe to enter the car park.
What processes do insurers have in place to determine whether my car has been damaged or if it can be recovered?
The ABI and our members are working with Luton Airport, the car park operator and vehicle recovery specialists to ascertain, as quickly as possible, whether customers cars have been affected.
We have worked with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau to get the number plates of the vehicles in the car park and have shared these with our members, who are contacting customers as quickly as possible. If you suspect that your vehicle may have been damaged in the fire speak to your insurer to see what support is available.
The safety of all involved is paramount. Insurers are working with the appropriate teams to determine if / when it will be possible to access the vehicles and assess damage.
My car is in the car park but may not have been damaged, what will my insurance cover?
Insurers are working with Luton Airport, the car park operator and vehicle recovery specialists to understand which vehicles can be recovered.
If your car is in the car park, speak to your insurer who can advise on what options are available.
How long will it take to assess the damage on my car?
The car park has been structurally damaged so ensuring it is safe to access is rightly the first priority.
It may take some time before vehicles can be accessed, assessed and/or recovered. Once the car park is safe to enter, insurers will do all they can to inspect the damage on any cars as quickly as possible.
Will the possessions in my car be covered?
Motor policies may offer some cover for possessions that have been damaged or destroyed in the vehicle, so check your policy for any cover and limits.
It’s also worth being aware that your home contents policy may cover this as well. But you cannot claim twice under both policies.
The car park has suffered extensive damage and engineers are currently conducting a structural assessment. Unless this building is deemed safe, it will not be possible for anyone to enter the building to assess the damage to vehicles or for individuals to retrieve personal belongings.
Will an insurer cover my costs for travelling home from the airport?
Some policies may cover the cost of travelling home. Check with your insurer.
If I have to claim on my insurance for this fire, what will happen to my no claims discount / will my insurance premium go up?
Under normal circumstances a no claim discount would be impacted by any claim. However some insurers have said that a claim for damage as a result of the fire at the car park at Luton Airport will not impact customers’ no claims discount.
Speak to your insurer to understand the impact of a claim.
Further advice on the situation at the car park is also available on Luton Airport and APCOA’s websites.