An explanation of your policy wording
This is your 3 day Mercedes‑Benz Van First Cover insurance policy, which is arranged and administered by Wrisk Transfer Limited.
This policy is underwritten by the insurer shown on the schedule and certificate of motor insurance. Your contract is with the insurer and is made up of several parts which must be read together. The parts of the contract are:
- The statement of fact, which contains the answers you gave to us when arranging your insurance cover
- This policy wording which shows the policy sections that may apply and the terms, conditions and exclusions that you and other drivers must follow
- The schedule
- The certificate of motor insurance.
Please take time to read all of the documents to make sure that they meet your needs and that you and all drivers understand the terms, exclusions and conditions. If any information is not right, if you wish to change anything or if there is anything that you do not understand, please contact our Customer Care team as soon as possible.
Telephone: 0330 912 1171
Email: customercare@insurance.mercedes-benz.co.uk
Live Chat: In-app
If you would like your documents to be sent to you in the post we will be happy to arrange this.
There are some changes you should tell us about before they happen to ensure that you remain properly covered. For example if you intend to change your van, the types of journey such as starting to deliver goods or if you wish to include other drivers. Please refer to General Condition 7 of the policy.
In return for the premium being paid, we will insure you under the conditions of this policy for any insured incident which takes place within the territorial limits.
Signed on behalf of Wrisk Transfer Limited
Niall Barton
Director, Wrisk Transfer LimitedHow to make a claim
If you have an accident
Always stop and make sure everybody is safe.
If anyone is injured or the accident is blocking the road, call the emergency services.
Do not accept blame or admit responsibility for the accident.
Call our claims specialists as soon as possible after the accident even if you do not plan to make a claim.
Calling from within the UK: 0330 912 7877
Calling from abroad: +44 330 912 7877
Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They will take details of the accident and put you in touch with our accident recovery service if needed.
You or your legal representative must provide our claims specialists with the following details as soon as you can:
- The make, model, colour and registration of all vehicles involved
- Names, addresses and contact details of other drivers and any witnesses
- Identify any injured persons and how many passengers were in each vehicle
- Details of any property that was damaged
- Details of any police officers who attend the scene
If and when it’s safe to do so, and possible, take photographs of the accident scene and damage to the vehicle(s) or property involved.
In providing accident recovery assistance the claims specialist will use reasonable care and skill. This may include liaising closely with local authorities and emergency services to ensure the most appropriate accident recovery service can be provided when it is safe to do so.
Windscreen and glass claims
If the windscreen or other glass windows in your van’s windows have been damaged, call our claims specialists on 0330 912 7877 (lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
You will have to pay the excess shown in the Windscreen & Glass Cover section of your schedule.
Vehicle stolen or vandalised
If your van has been stolen, damaged during an attempt to break in or has been vandalised, you must report the incident to the police and obtain a crime reference number if you wish to make a claim.
Once you have a crime reference number, please call our claim specialists:
Calling from within the UK: 0330 912 7877
Calling from abroad: +44 330 912 7877
The benefits of using a Mercedes‑Benz authorised repairer
- You will not need to obtain estimates
- All Mercedes‑Benz authorised repairers will work to the highest Mercedes‑Benz standards of repair using fully trained technicians, working with approved equipment and following Mercedes‑Benz technical repair methods. Quality and safety are synonymous with the Mercedes‑Benz authorised repairer and provide the assurance that your van will be returned to you in its pre-accident condition
- If an authorised Mercedes‑Benz authorised repairer is not available, then the authorised repairer will use the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) quality control standard. For your peace of mind all labour, paint and genuine parts are covered by a three-year warranty (excluding wear and tear)
- Your local authorised repairer can explain more about the lifetime repair guarantee
- The bill will be settled directly with them, although you will need to pay them the excess and any other amount that you will have been told about in advance
- You can arrange for your van to be collected from your home or place of work, and they will also return it to you
- Your van will be washed and cleaned before it is returned to you
Important information
Financial Services Compensation Scheme
In the unlikely event that we cannot meet our obligations; you may be entitled to compensation under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Further information about compensation scheme arrangements is available at https://fscs.org.uk, by emailing enquiries@fscs.org.uk or by phoning the FSCS on 0800 678 1100. Callers from outside the UK should call +44 207 741 4100.
How to make a complaint
Our aim is to get it right, first time, every time. If you believe that we have not delivered the service you expected, or if you do not agree with the amount we offer to pay you following a claim, we want to hear from you so that we can address your complaint.
If you have a complaint, please contact us at:
Mercedes‑Benz Van First Cover
CEME Suite 173
Marsh Way
Rainham RM13 8EU
customercare@insurance.mercedes-benz.co.uk
Once we have received a complaint we will acknowledge your complaint promptly and in writing and endeavour to resolve the problem within 3 working days. If we cannot do so we will let you know when an answer can be expected.
If we have not resolved the situation within 8 weeks we will provide you with our final response letter including details of the Financial Ombudsman Service.
You have the right to refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service, free of charge – but you must do so within 6 months of the date of our final response letter.
If you do not refer your complaint in time, the Ombudsman will not have our permission to consider your complaint and so will only be able to do so in very limited circumstances. For example, if the Ombudsman believes that the delay was as a result of exceptional circumstances.
If you would like a free copy of our complaints handling procedure, please let us know.
Financial Ombudsman Service
Exchange Tower
Harbour Exchange Square
London E14 9SR
https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
0800 023 4567 or 0300 123 9123
complaint.info@financial-ombudsman.org.uk
Using our complaints procedure or contacting the Financial Ombudsman Service does not affect your legal rights.
Choice of law and jurisdiction
This contract is governed by the laws and courts of England and Wales and all communication will be in English. If you need clarification on any part of this document, please contact us.
Suitability of this product
This product meets the demands and needs of owners of Mercedes‑Benz Vans who want to be insured against third party claims arising from the use of their vehicle and for damage to their van caused in an accident or by fire or theft or vandalism. This includes damage to the vehicle’s windscreen.
The meaning of words
Any word or expression within this policy wording which has a specific meaning is shown below. It has the same meaning (as shown below) throughout the policy wherever it appears in bold unless otherwise stated.
- Assault
- A sudden and unexpected attack by an unknown third party with deliberate intent to cause bodily injury at an identifiable time and place following an insured incident within the territorial limits.
- Mercedes‑Benz Authorised repairer
- An Mercedes‑Benz Authorised repairer in the United Kingdom.
- Authorised repairer
- An alternative repairer chosen by us if a Mercedes‑Benz authorised repairer is not available.
- Certificate of motor insurance
- The legal proof that your van is insured as required by law. It shows who is entitled to drive your van (where ‘any authorised driver’ is stated, refer to the schedule for restrictions) and the purposes for which your van can be used.
- Courtesy van
- A van provided to you by a repairer approved by us following an insured incident. It will be a car-derived van which will be insured by this policy under the same terms and conditions that apply to your van.
- Cyber event
- An unauthorised, malicious or criminal act, or series of acts, regardless of time and place affecting any computer or motor vehicle, including but not limited to: computer virus, hacking, denial of service or unauthorised access, corruption or deletion of data. An error, failure or unavailability affecting any computer system used by a motor vehicle.
- Electric vehicle
- A vehicle which is propelled solely by electric power which is charged using an external source.
- Endorsement
- Changes to the terms and conditions of your policy which will be shown on your schedule
- Excess(es)
- The amount you will have to pay if you make a claim regardless of who was to blame. They are shown on your schedule.
- Hazardous goods
- Any substance within the United Nations Hazard Classes (including any sub-division): Explosives, Gases, Flammable liquids, Flammable solids, Oxidizing substances and Organic Peroxides, Toxic and infectious substances, Radioactive materials Corrosive Substances and Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances and Articles.
- Hazardous location
- Power stations, nuclear installations or establishments, refineries, bulk storage or production premises in the oil, gas or chemical industries or in the explosive, ammunition or pyrotechnic industries, Ministry of Defence premises and military bases, rail trackside or airports or docks – other than on any road or parking area designated for employee or visitor parking.
- Insured incident
- An accident, fire, theft, attempted theft or act of vandalism involving your van that we agree is covered by the policy. This will also include windscreen and glass cover.
- Market value
- The cost of replacing your van, if possible, taking into account its make, model, specification, age, mileage and condition at the time of the loss or damage. This will not exceed the last estimate that you supplied.
- Modification(s)
- Any alterations to your van from the manufacturer’s standard specification. These include changing how it looks, its performance or how it drives. Optional extras fitted at the point of manufacture or that we allow are not considered modifications.
- Period of insurance
- The period you are covered for as shown on your schedule.
- Permanent total disablement
- Disablement, caused other than by loss of limb(s), loss of sight, loss of hearing or loss of speech, which has lasted for 52 consecutive weeks, and which will prevent the insured person from engaging in gainful employment of any and every kind for the remainder of their life.
- Personal belongings
- Items used or worn in everyday life that are not used in connection with your trade or profession and belong to the person driving or anyone travelling in your van.
- Prejudicial claim
- Any claim made against your policy resulting in us making a payment which cannot be recovered in full, or an outstanding claim for which responsibility has not been decided
- Road Traffic Act
- Any acts, laws or regulations, which govern the driving or use of any motor vehicle in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
- Schedule
- The most recent document which shows the period of insurance, the excesses and endorsements, the sections of this policy wording that apply and any limits to the cover they provide.
- Territorial limits
- The United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
- The insurer
- The Underwriter shown on the current certificate of motor insurance and schedule.
- We, us, our, ourselves
- Wrisk Transfer Limited and where appropriate may include the insurer and any third party used on our behalf.
- You, your
- The person, company or trading name (including subsidiary companies) shown as the policyholder on the current certificate of motor insurance and schedule
- Your van
- The van described by its registration number on the current certificate of motor insurance and schedule. This includes permanently fitted audio, visual, communication and navigational equipment which is powered solely by the van’s electrical system and any genuine parts or equipment supplied to you by the manufacturer.
Mercedes‑Benz Van First Cover
Section 1
Your liability to othersWhat’s covered
Cover for you
We will pay all amounts you are legally liable for following an insured incident caused while you are driving, using or are otherwise in charge of your van (including loading or unloading directly from your van) which results in:
- The death or injury to people other than the person driving your van; and
- Damage caused to property that does not belong to you or the person driving your van up to £5 million, including legal costs arising from the same insured incident.
Cover for other people
We will provide the same cover to:
- Anybody who you allow to use your van provided that your certificate of motor insurance says that they can, they have the correct driving licence entitlement and are not excluded from driving by an endorsement on the schedule.
- Anyone travelling in, getting into or out of your van.
In the event that the person driving your van dies, we will cover their legal representative to deal with any claims made against that person’s estate.
Towing
This cover will also apply while your van is towing a single trailer, caravan or vehicle that is properly attached to your van in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, is not being towed for profit and that towing is allowed by law.
Legal fees and expenses
We may at our discretion and subject to our prior written agreement, arrange and pay for the reasonable legal costs to defend or represent you or the person driving your van at a coroner’s inquest, fatal accident enquiry or in any criminal proceedings arising out of an insured incident covered by this policy.
Emergency medical treatment
We will pay any emergency medical treatment fees as required under the Road Traffic Act.
What’s not covered
- Death of or injury to:
- the person who is driving or is in charge of your van; or
- any person who is being carried in or on, is getting into or out of, or getting on to or off of a trailer, caravan, or vehicle being towed by your van
- Liability for death, injury or damage when your van is not on a public road and is in the process of being loaded or unloaded by any person other than the driver or attendant of your van.
- Any liability that is not required to be covered under the terms of the Road Traffic Act whilst you are loading or unloading directly from your van.
- Liability arising from loading or unloading any livestock being carried in any trailer whether attached to your van or not.
- Loss of or damage to your van, any trailer, caravan or vehicle being towed by your van or the contents or either.
- Loss or damage to any bridge, weighbridge, viaduct, road or other surface over which your van is driven, or anything under the surface caused by the weight or vibration of your van or its load.
- Any liability, injury, loss or damage resulting from anything sold, transported or supplied by you or on your behalf.
If we have to make a payment to meet the requirements of the Road Traffic Act, we reserve the right to seek to recover any such amounts from you or the person driving your van at the time of the insured incident.
Section 2
Loss of or damage to your vanWhat’s covered
If your van is lost or damaged in an insured incident, we will, at our discretion:
- Arrange and pay for the damage to be repaired using genuine Mercedes‑Benz parts or parts approved by Mercedes‑Benz if that is more cost-effective; or
- Pay you an amount not exceeding the market value of your van in full and final settlement of the claim.
In both cases, you will need to pay the excess shown on the schedule.
If you wish to claim for theft, attempted theft, vandalism or malicious damage or following a deliberate fire, you must provide a police crime reference number.
Locks & keys
If the keys, lock transmitter or the entry card for the keyless entry system for your van are lost or stolen, we will pay up to the amount shown on the schedule to replace:
- The door and boot locks
- The ignition and steering locks
- The lock transmitter
- The entry card
If your claim is only for your van’s locks and keys, you will not need to pay your excess and your No Claim Bonus will not be affected.
How we will deal with your claim
Following an insured incident, if your van is not roadworthy, cannot be driven or if there is nobody available who can drive it with your approval we will arrange and pay the cost of protecting and taking your van to a Mercedes‑Benz authorised repairer or a place where it can be stored safely and economically.
If you would prefer to use a garage of your choosing, we will either take your van there provided that it is within 10 miles of the accident or to the address shown on your schedule.
Passengers and pets
We will take you, up to a maximum of 6 passengers and any domestic pets that were travelling in your van at the time of an insured incident to your original destination in the territorial limits or to the address shown on the schedule.
If that is not possible, we will arrange and pay up to £500 for:
- One night’s emergency overnight accommodation. We will agree the accommodation with you and make the booking on your behalf;
- Travel expenses so that you or any of the passengers and any domestic pets that were travelling in your van can make their way to the accommodation that we have booked or to another destination of their choosing.
The maximum that we will pay is £500 in total for all accommodation and travel expenses. The accommodation is for one night only and check-in cannot be more than 24 hours after the insured incident happened.
Keeping you mobile
If your van is being repaired by a Mercedes‑Benz authorised repairer or an authorised repairer, they will provide you with a courtesy van, subject to availability. You may keep the courtesy van for the duration of the repair to your van or for up to 14 days, whichever is soonest.
If your van cannot be repaired or has been stolen and not recovered we will provide you with a courtesy van for up to 14 days or until 4 days after payment has been issued to you, whichever is soonest.
A courtesy van provided under this section will usually be a small car-derived van.
We will insure the courtesy van under this insurance in exactly the same way as we insure your van. You must return the courtesy van when the owner or we ask you to or if this insurance expires and you do not renew it.
If your van can be repaired
We will arrange and pay for your van to be repaired at a Mercedes‑Benz authorised repairer or an authorised repairer. The repairer may use original Mercedes- Benz parts or parts approved by Mercedes‑Benz if that is more cost-effective.
We may agree to your van being repaired at a repairer of your choosing if we can agree costs with them. You will need to supply estimates in advance of work beginning. If we think that the estimate is unreasonable, we can:
- Arrange for your van to be moved to our Mercedes‑Benz authorised repairer or an authorised repairer; or
- Ask you to give an estimate from another repairer
We will not pay for any work that we have not approved in advance.
You will need to pay the excess to the repairer.
Unavailable parts
If any part or accessory is not available, the most we will pay is the cost shown in the manufacturer’s last United Kingdom list price (including VAT) plus a fitting cost.
If the part is not listed in the manufacturer’s last United Kingdom list price, we will pay the cost of an equivalent part listed plus a fitting cost.
Hire-purchase, leasing and other agreements
If we know that your van is still being paid for under a finance agreement, we will settle any claim by paying the legal owner described under that agreement.
- We will only pay you any remaining balance if ownership of your van is to be transferred to you at the end of the hire purchase or financing agreement
- If your van is on a leasing agreement, or any agreement where your van is not or cannot be owned by you, we will settle the claim by paying the legal owner
If the outstanding amount of your finance exceeds any payment made under this policy you will still be responsible for paying any remaining balance.
In that event, our payment will be full and final settlement of our liability under this section of this policy.
If your van cannot be repaired (written off)
If the cost to repair your van exceeds 60% of the manufacturers list price for a van of the same make, model and specification (including taxes and the cost of accessories), we will either:
- Pay you the market value of your van and it will become our property; or
- Pay you the market value of your van minus the value of the salvage and you can keep your van. If you want to keep your van, an engineer must agree it’s repairable under the Code of Practice for the Categorisation of Motor Vehicle Salvage. If your van is written off, we cannot continue to provide cover for it. If you decide to keep your van, your policy will be cancelled and you must arrange alternative insurance cover. If you do not keep your van, we will keep this policy running while you find a replacement van. We may insure your new van if it is acceptable to us.
Replacement van
We may replace your van with a new one of the same make, model and specification. We will only do this if all of the following conditions are met;
- Your van is less than 12 months old.
- You are your van’s first and only owner (including if your van was pre-registered by a motor dealer).
- Your van is a United Kingdom specification model.
- The model and specification is still available from Mercedes‑Benz in the United Kingdom.
- We have your permission, or the permission of the hire purchase company, to replace your van.
- If one or more of the above conditions are not met or if a replacement van of the same make, model and specification is not available, we will offer to provide a similar vehicle of identical list price or pay you (or the owner under a hire purchase agreement) a sum equal to the identical list price.
Personalised registrations
If your van has a personalised registration, you may retain this subject to DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) rules and regulations. If you wish to retain a personalised registration it is important that you notify us as soon as possible.
What’s not covered
We will not provide cover for the loss of or damage to your van:
- Following theft or attempted theft if it was unoccupied or unattended at the time of the Insured incident, unless your van was locked and the ignition key or other removable ignition device was removed and not in the immediate proximity of your van.
- Resulting from fraud or deception (including as a result of or in connection with the use of counterfeit money or another form of payment which a bank or building society will not authorise).
- Resulting from the filling or using of the wrong type of fuel for your van.
- Caused by a person known to you taking your van without your consent, unless you report them to the police for taking your van without your consent.
We will not provide cover for:
- Loss of or damage to any trailer, caravan or vehicle being towed by your van
- Audio, visual, communication, navigational or in-vehicle entertainment equipment unless it was:
- Standard equipment for your van when you bought it or
- Fitted by a Mercedes‑Benz authorised repairer. Such equipment must be permanently fitted to your van and powered solely by your van’s electrical system
- The excess as shown on your schedule unless your claim is solely for the replacement of locks following the loss or theft of your keys
- The wear and tear, degradation, breaking or failing of your van or its parts caused over time by their normal use
- Mechanical, electrical, electronic, or computer fault, failure, malfunction, or breakdown (including as a result of a cyber event)
- Damage to tyres caused by braking, punctures, cuts or bursts
- Loss of value following repairs to your van
- Loss of use of your van or other indirect or consequential loss not explicitly covered under this policy
- Costs of fuel, oil and other items you use or any parking tickets or fines you incur in a courtesy van provided by a Mercedes‑Benz authorised repairer or authorised repairer
- The cost of any hire van other than a courtesy van provided by a Mercedes‑Benz authorised repairer or authorised repairer,unless agreed by us
- Accommodation following an accident that occurs within 50 miles of your home or the final destination
- Accommodation in a hospital
- Accommodation of your domestic pets in a veterinary hospital or similar establishment
- Any fees charged for veterinary treatment.
Section 3
Windscreen & glass coverWhat’s covered
If any glass in the windscreen, windows or sunroof of your van is damaged as a result of an insured incident, we will pay for its replacement or repair. We will also pay for:
- Any necessary costs for the recalibration of Advanced
Driver
Assistance Systems (ADAS) following repair or replacement of your van’s windscreen and - For repairs to your van’s bodywork damaged by broken glass
You will need to pay the excess shown on the schedule. Claims made solely under this section will not affect your No Claim Bonus.
What’s not covered
- Any costs for alternative transport if you are making a claim solely under this section
- More than the market value of your van less any excess that may apply
Section 4
Personal belongingsWhat’s covered
We will pay up to the amount shown on your schedule for personal belongings if they were in your van when they were lost or damaged in an insured incident.
What’s not covered
- The theft or attempted theft of personal belongings from the rear of an open back vehicle (such as a pick-up or double-cab) or if your van was:
- left unlocked; or
- left with the keys or ignition device in, on, attached to or in the immediate proximity of your van; or
- left with a door, window or roof (including sunroof) open
- At the time of the insured incident
- Electrical items that are not designed to use your van as their only source of power, such as:
- Audio and navigation devices
- Televisions, DVD players and other portable players
- Phones, tablets and computers and associated software, hardware, accessories and equipment
- Computer game consoles, computer games and computer accessories
- Money (including credit and debit cards, store, loyalty and points cards), stamps, tickets, documents, securities, jewellery or furs
- Goods, tools of trade or samples connected with your work or any other trade, or any container for these things
- Keys, remote control or security devices
- Personal belongings covered by any other insurance
Section 5
Tools coverWhat’s covered
We will pay for loss of damage to tools caused by fire, theft, attempted theft or accidental damage, that were in your van at the time of an insured incident. The most we will pay for any one incident is £300. If you ask us to pay someone else we will have no further responsibility to you once we have done so. We may need proof of purchase such as invoices or receipts.
What’s not covered
- Tools covered by any other policy
- Tools taken from an unlocked or open vehicle (including the rear of a open back vehicle) or which you have not taken care to protect from loss or damage.
Section 6
Medical expenses and physical assaultWhat’s covered
1. Medical expenses
We will pay up to the amount shown on your schedule for any medical expenses which are incurred by any person travelling in your van at the time of an insured incident. This is in addition to the compulsory Emergency Medical Treatment fee (see Section 1), for each person for any medical treatment they receive.
2. Physical assault
We will pay the amount shown on your schedule following an assault on any person who was travelling in your van at the time of an insured incident.
Section 7
Foreign travelCover under this section is only provided if:
- Your van is taxed and registered within the territorial limits; and
- Your main and permanent home is also within the territorial limits; and
- Your visit abroad is within the duration of your policy as detailed in your schedule
Minimum cover outside the territorial limits
What’s covered
This policy provides minimum cover required by the law of the countries detailed below to drive your van. These are:
A member of the European Union; or
- Any country which the Commission of the European Union approves as meeting the requirements of Article 8 of the European Community Directive on Insurance of Civil Liabilities arising from the use of motor vehicles (EC Directive EC 2009/103/EC)
These countries include:
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic/Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the Vatican City.
If you require cover outside these countries, you must ask us before you travel. If we can provide cover you may need to pay an extra premium.
What’s not covered
- Cover for any loss of or damage to your van or any other cover over and above the legal minimum for the country that you are in
- Customs and Excise Duty
- Cover in a country not mentioned above
Had an accident abroad?
Call our claims specialists as soon as possible after the accident even if you do not plan to make a claim.
Calling from within the UK: 0330 912 7877
Calling from abroad: +44 330 912 7877
Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They will take additional details and put you in touch with our accident recovery service if needed.
Additional Information When Driving Abroad
The EU countries and the other countries mentioned above agree that a Green Card is not necessary for travelling between them. Your certificate of motor insurance is proof of compulsory motor insurance in these countries.
Towing Abroad
You should check if you need to register your trailer or caravan before towing it abroad. If you do, it means you will need to display a separate registration plate and you will need to carry a green card for the trailer or caravan (but not Your van).
Section 8
Personal accidentWhat’s covered
If you, your husband, your wife or your civil partner (as defined in the Civil Partnership Act 2004) are involved in an accident under this policy, we will pay the amounts shown below if, within three months of the accident, it directly causes one of the following:
- Death £5,000
- Permanent total disablement including the total loss of one or more limbs £5,000
- Permanent total disablement including blindness in one or both eyes £5,000
The most we will pay is the limit for any one cause of death or injury during any one period of insurance. We will only make a payment if the injury or death is directly connected to an accident involving your van.
What’s not covered
- Death or bodily injury caused by suicide or attempted suicide, self-injury or by drugs, alcohol or anything taken or inhaled
- Death or bodily injury caused by disease, physical sickness or disability
- Anyone failing to keep to the law regarding the use of seat belts
Section 9
Electric vehiclesThis section will provide you additional information when insuring your electric vehicle which is not referenced elsewhere in this policy document.
All sections within the policy document applies to you and your van if it is an electric vehicle.
Battery cover
Cover is provided as identified in this section irrespective if you own the battery or the battery is leased. If you lease the battery, you will need to know exactly what your responsibilities are. Please ensure you read all documentation you receive from the manufacturer so you fully understand your responsibility as the battery owner.
What’s covered (Battery)
Theft of, or accidental damage to the battery as per section 2.
What’s not covered
- Misuse of the battery, including but not limited to, overcharging/undercharging, deliberate acts and self-repair/replace; or
- Cost to repair or replace a non-functional or faulty battery
Charging cables and charging points
It is your responsibility to ensure that the charging cable is safeguarded against any trips or falls and/or injury to any persons or property, including malicious damage.
Charging on or away from your driveway or in your garage – What’s covered
- Theft of, fire, accidental damage to your charging cable and your charging point as per section 1, section 2
- Loss or damage to your van as a direct result of your charging cable or charging point as per section 2
Charging on or away from your driveway or in your garage – What’s not covered
- What is not covered as per section 1 and section 2
- Misuse of the charging cable, including but not limited to, overcharging/undercharging, deliberate acts and self-repair/replace
- Cost to repair/replace faulty charging cables
- Any theft, fire, accidental or malicious damage to any charging point
- Cost to repair/replace faulty charging points
General exclusions
These exclusions apply to each and every section of this policy and in addition to the exclusions under the heading of what’s not covered in each section.
We will not pay for any loss, damage or liability directly or indirectly caused or contributed to by
1. Your van being:
- Used by a person or for any purpose not shown on your current certificate of motor insurance
- Driven by anyone who does not hold or is prevented from holding a valid driving licence or who is breaking the conditions of their licence
- Taken or driven without your consent by someone who normally lives with you as part of your household unless you co-operate with the authorities in their prosecution
- Used for criminal purposes (including avoiding lawful apprehension)
- Used for a deliberate or reckless act with the intention of:
- self-harm or suicide
- causing damage or fear of damage to other vehicles or property
- causing injury or fear of injury to any person
- Used on the Nürburgring Nordschleife or any racetrack, circuit or prepared course
- Used for any formal or informal race, whether prearranged or not
- Used to participate in any test, competition or organised motoring event
- Rented out or used for a peer to peer hire scheme, including when the hirer is using your van
- Used while carrying passengers in an unsafe, insecure or illegal manner, including but not limited to, carrying them in the cargo area of your van
- Used to carry a load in an unsafe, insecure or illegal condition or manner or where any of your van’s weight limitations have been exceeded
- Used if you have opted to not have your ADAS (Advanced
Driver
Assistant System) recalibrated when it has previously been required or recommended - Towing another vehicle for reward
2. An agreement you have made under another contract
3. Loss of use of your van
4. Terrorism, war, civil war, warlike operations (whether or not war is declared), invasion, act of foreign enemy, hostilities, mutiny, military uprising, insurrection, rebellion, revolution, riot, civil commotion (assuming its proportions amount to a popular rising), military or usurped power, nationalisation or any act of any person or group whether acting alone or in connection with a government or organisation which was committed for a political, religious, ideological or similar purpose with the intention influencing an economy, government, country or state or to put the public in fear
5. The use of Your van for the carriage, transportation or delivery of hazardous goods or in a hazardous location
6. Radiation, radioactive contamination or other dangerous properties of any nuclear device, component or material
7. Failure to install and/or accept any software updates to your van when recommended or required by your van’s manufacturer
8. Installing and/or accepting updates to your van’s software that are not supplied by your van’s manufacturer
9. Use of your van as a public emergency service, military or law enforcement vehicles
10. A load seeping or spilling in or from your van that causes pollution or contamination
11. Any damage, loss of use or any other indirect loss to any property being carried by, loaded onto or unloaded from your van
12. Using Your van, or any mechanical plant, machinery, hoist, lift, crane or similar appliance whether attached to your van or not, as a tool of trade (including loading and unloading)
13. A cyber event affecting your van
14. Loss of, corruption, or access to data due to a cyber event
15. The person driving your van at the time of an insured incident:
- Being found to be over the permitted limit for alcohol
- Being unfit to drive through alcohol or drugs, whether prescribed or otherwise; or
- Failing to provide a swab sample or a sample of breath, blood or urine when required to do so, without lawful reason
Where we are required to make a payment in such circumstances, we reserve the right to recover any such amounts from you or the driver of your van at the time of the Insured incident.
Sanctions
We cannot provide cover and will not be liable to pay any claim or provide any benefit under this policy to the extent that the provision of such cover or payment of such claim or provision of such benefit would expose us to any sanction, prohibition or restriction under United Nations regulations or the trade or economic sanctions, laws or regulations of the European Union, United Kingdom or United States of America.
General conditions
These conditions apply to each and every section of this policy.
1. Taking care of your van
Your van must be covered by a valid Department of Transport Test (MoT) Certificate if one is needed by law.
You or the person driving your van must:
- Take care to avoid and to protect against the loss of or damage to your van
- Take care of the keys or other ignition device to prevent them being lost or stolen. Keys and other ignition devices must be removed completely when your van is left at any time (regardless of how long for or whether the vehicle is still within sight. This includes on a garage forecourt or when loading or unloading)
- Close all the windows and sunroofs and lock all the doors. Alarms, immobilisers and tracking devices (when fitted) should be turned on. These devices must always be on and working whenever your van is left
- Not leave personal belongings, tools or other items of value on display
- Keep your van in a roadworthy condition. We may ask to see service and maintenance records).
Failure to take care of your van may invalidate this policy and we may not pay some or all of a claim.
2. Keeping to the terms of this policy
Your premium, excess and other terms of this policy are based on the information you gave us when you completed your application, when you make any changes and when you renew it. If any of the details on the statement of fact change, you must tell us. This insurance is only valid if:
- You and anybody driving your van have kept to all the terms and conditions of this policy; and
- All the information you have supplied is correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief.
3. Claims procedure
If you or your van are involved in any type of insured incident, regardless of who is to blame, you must:
- Report it to us within 48 hours of it happening
- Give us all the information and documentation that we consider necessary to deal with your claim
- Send us any court documentation you receive in connection with the incident as soon as you receive it, including any claim form, writ, summons or bill
- Tell us at once if you are charged with an offence or get any notice of prosecution, inquest or fatal enquiry
- Give us a witness statement when requested
- Co-operate with our investigation. Failure to comply with the above could result in the claim being refused and/or your policy being cancelled.
If you are claiming for theft, attempted theft, vandalism or malicious damage or deliberate fire, you must also:
- Report it to the police
- Co-operate with the police in their investigation and any prosecution against the person responsible
- Give us a crime reference number within 24 hours, that relates to the incident you are reporting
You must not attempt to negotiate the settlement of any claim without our prior, written approval.
Defending or settling a claim
We are entitled to:
- Conduct the investigation, defence and settlement of any claim on your behalf
- Inspect your van at any reasonable time we ask
- Bring a claim in your name against any third party responsible for any loss or damage
- Arrange for the repair of your van and keep any amount we recover from the other insurer for the repair
- If we, a Mercedes‑Benz authorised repairer, authorised repairer or another company that we have instructed provide you with a courtesy van, we will be entitled to keep any amount we are able to recover from a third party for the cost of providing you with a courtesy van
If your van is written off we will:
- Take possession of your van if we settle your claim on a total loss basis
- Cancel this policy if you decide to keep your van and you must arrange alternative insurance cover. If you do not keep your van, we will keep this policy running while you find a replacement van. We may insure your new van if it is acceptable to us
4. Misrepresentation, fraud and financial crime
If you or anyone representing you:
- Gives us false, incorrect or misleading information either in writing (including via a website, app or other electronic communication) or verbally
- Inflates or exaggerates a claim or part of a claim either on purpose or by accident; or
- Obtained this policy from a source that is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, knowingly or otherwise
We may:
- Refuse to deal with part or all of a claim or reduce the amount we will pay
- Cancel your policy
- Treat your policy as though it never existed
- Change the premium or the terms of your policy
Where we identify fraud or financial crime we may:
- Pass your details to fraud or financial crime prevention agencies and the police. Other insurance companies may see this information and it may affect your ability to buy insurance in the future
- Cancel your policy and keep all of the premiums that you have paid
- Take legal action to recover any costs that we have incurred because of the fraudulent activity.
If we have made a payment that we would not otherwise have made, you must repay that amount to us.
If we, a Mercedes‑Benz authorised repairer, authorised repairer or another company that we have instructed has provided you with a courtesy van, you must return it when instructed to do so.
If you suspect that you bought this policy from an unauthorised or unregulated route, you must contact us immediately. You can check the list of authorised and regulated firms on the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) website https://register.fca.org.uk/s/
5. Your right to cancel
You may cancel this policy at any time before and during the period of insurance.
You can do this within your account. The policy will be cancelled from the date you request unless that is in the past, or the date your request is received, whichever is the later.
If you cancel this policy, we will refund the amount you have paid for the unused period of insurance except where an insured incident has occurred which has or may give rise to a prejudicial claim, in which case the full premium paid will be retained by us.
6. Our right to cancel
We may cancel this policy by giving you 7 days’ notice in writing to your last known email address. We may cancel this policy where there are serious grounds to do so. This includes:
- Failure to pay your premium on your billing date
- Breaking any of the general conditions of this policy
- Ignoring or failing to comply with any of the General Exclusions of this policy
- Where you are required in accordance with the terms of this policy to cooperate with us, or send us information or documentation and you fail to do so in a way that materially affects our ability to process a claim, or our ability to defend our interests
- Failure to supply us with relevant documentation or information that we need
- Where we reasonably suspect fraud or misrepresentation
- Changes to your policy details or circumstances that mean we can no longer cover you under this policy; or
- Use of threatening or abusive behaviour or language, intimidation or harassment of our staff or suppliers.
7. Changing your details
You must update your account details with any changes that may affect your policy cover and you must review the information you by checking the information contained within your schedule and statement of fact and ensuring it is still accurate. If we are not informed of any changes or corrections this may affect your ability to claim under your policy.
Changes you must update before using your van:
- If you change your van
- If you make any modifications to your van
- If you use your van for a purpose not permitted by the current certificate of motor insurance, e.g. starting to use your van for courier deliveries
- If you wish to add a new driver.
Changes you must update within your account no later than 48 hours after becoming aware of any of the following:
- If you sell your van or update its registration
- If you change your address, or where you normally keep your van
- If you, or any other driver, are convicted of a criminal or motoring offence including fixed penalty notices
- If you, or any driver, become unemployed or change occupation, including any part-time work
- If you, or any driver, have changes made to the status of your or their driving licence
- If you, or any driver, develop any notifiable medical condition that the DVLA are not aware of, or are told by a doctor not to drive
- If your stated annual mileage estimate is likely to be exceeded; or
- If you, or any driver, change their name due to marriage or via Deed Poll
When you make a change of details in your account, we may reassess the premium and terms of your policy. You will be informed of any revisions to the premium or the terms and asked to agree before any change is made.
In some circumstances, we may not be able to continue your policy following the changes. Where this happens, you will be told and the policy will be cancelled in line with general condition 6 – Our right to cancel.
If you are not sure whether you need to tell us, please use the Live Chat facility in your online account. You should keep a record of the information you give us in relation to this insurance.
8. Rights of the parties
A person who is not a party to this policy has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this policy. This does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from that Act.
9. Van sharing
We will not cover any loss where your van is used for the carriage of passengers for hire or reward. You can accept money for fuel if:
- Your van is not made or adapted to carry more than six passengers
- Passengers are not being carried as customers of a passenger-carrying business
- You or the person driving your van do not make a profit from carrying the passengers.
10. Other insurance
If there is any other insurance covering the same claim, we will only pay our share of the claim, even if the other insurer refuses the claim.
11. Requests for information
You must respond to all requests from us for information and documentation during the period of insurance and during the administration of a claim. You may be asked to provide:
- Documents to confirm the details on your statement of fact
- Documents, data and other media relating to your van or claim
- Financial statements and utility bills
- Receipts and invoices
- Documents, data and other records to validate your claim
- Driving licence information
- Travel documents
- Proof of alternative insurance
Failure to supply this information when requested may result in your claim being refused and/or your policy being cancelled.
12. Right of recovery
If under the law of any country we must make a payment which we would not otherwise have to make, you must repay that amount to us.
Company Details
Mercedes‑Benz Insurance Services UK Limited is registered in England and Wales under company number 03510012. Registered office: Delaware Drive, Tongwell, Milton Keynes, England, MK15 8BA. Mercedes‑Benz Insurance Services UK Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with firm reference number 311715.
Mercedes‑Benz Van First Cover is arranged and administered by Wrisk Transfer Limited, a company registered in England under Company number 10657213 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wrisk Limited. Registered address: 45 Gresham Street, London, United Kingdom, EC2V 7BG. The company is registered in England under Company number 09721622. Wrisk Transfer Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, No. 788062.
