Oxford Street car ban brings hidden costs
As Oxford Street prepares to go car-free, motorists are being urged to consider the less obvious consequences of the change. Steve Ramsey, a motor insurance specialist at Go.Compare, is warning drivers to check their policies before the changes come into effect.
One key factor to consider is how the new route diversions will impact annual mileage. If drivers find themselves driving significantly more miles than stated in their policy, they should inform their insurer.
According to Steve Ramsey, a changing route isn’t usually a reason to update a policy, but an increase in annual mileage could be. He advises drivers to check their policies and inform their insurer if necessary.
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Delivery drivers and van drivers will face major disruption, as servicing vehicles will only have access to Oxford Street between midnight and 7am. This could create a significant operational challenge, with rerouted delivery drivers and couriers covering more miles and facing longer journeys with more congestion.
Commercial motorists should monitor whether route diversions could result in a higher annual mileage than originally declared, as mileage-based van insurance policies could be impacted. Steve Ramsey notes that taxi and private hire drivers will also need to check their business cover, as trips that previously used Oxford Street as a key through-route will become longer and more congested.
Business insurance policies for taxi and private hire drivers are often mileage-sensitive, and drivers may find their annual mileage increasing. Steve Ramsey advises these drivers to check how the Oxford Street closure could impact their policy.
In practice, this development means that professional drivers will need to adapt to new routes and potentially longer journey times, which could impact their insurance policies and overall costs. As they adapt to these changes, it’s essential for them to review their policies and ensure they have adequate cover.
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Drivers may face more challenging driving conditions as visitors are spread across surrounding streets and traffic increases outside the car-free zone. Steve Ramsey advises drivers to take extra care when driving around Oxford Street and to ensure they have sufficient cover.
The congestion charge and ULEZ implications should also be considered, as drivers forced onto less familiar roads could find themselves travelling through congestion charge or ULEZ zones they wouldn’t normally enter. Steve Ramsey notes that drivers who regularly travel through the West End of London could find themselves relying on alternative routes, making journeys longer, more congested, and potentially more expensive.
To avoid unwanted surprises, drivers should check their cover and review their level of insurance. The easiest way to work out annual mileage is to look at the last two MOT certificates, and drivers should anticipate any new charges and plan ahead.
