Information about the MPS’s third party insurance

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.028838

I note you seek access to the following information:

How do I go about requesting information about the Mets Third Party insurance and fact Police staff are not covered driving Mets Scenes of Crime Vans for personal liability. I require details on this please. How do I go about it? Is there a form to fill in?”

CLARIFICATION:
“Further to my previous email I am requesting the following :
The Met carry Third Party Insurance only and I would like to request information on when that came into place and if possible any consultation notes on who was informed and if this was discussed with any Staff Associations at the time. Who made the decision and why was no one told this was the case despite many emails coming out on Safer Driving. Officially most staff that drive Met Vehicles to crime scenes 24/7 on shifts and dealing with stressful situations do not know what they are covered for and all believe they are full covered for every eventuality. Instead this is simply not the case. Has this always been this way?
Came to light in Dec 22 that we are not covered like we all thought. In fact left to fight for ourselves.”

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

The MPS have had third party insurance cover with QBE for over 15 years. Third party insurance means that if an MPS driver causes an accident, any damage (and/or injury) to the other person’s vehicle or property will be paid for, subject to the policy excess.

The MPS self-insure any accident damage to our vehicles. However, the Traffic Claims Unit seek to recover all costs for vehicle repairs from third party drivers, including uninsured drivers, who are at fault for an accident wherever possible.

Any police officers or police staff involved in a non-fault accident while a driver or passenger in a police vehicle can make a claim for personal injury. The MPS, where necessary, will support our driver in recovering their losses/costs as appropriate. It may be that the individual concerned would seek their own legal assistance potentially via a Met supported organisation/solicitors and incur fees/cost which would be recoverable from the third party as part of the recovery claim.

Where an indemnity is provided to MOPAC/MPS, or to any other person covered under this section of the policy (3rd party liability only cover), in respect of any liability to a third party arising out of the use of your vehicle, then provided parties agree, we will pay legal costs, disbursements and expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred in dealing with or defending:

(a) any civil claim for damages in respect of death, bodily injury or damage; and
(b) any criminal proceedings, including in relation to the defence on any charge of corporate manslaughter, corporate homicide, manslaughter, or causing death by reckless or dangerous driving and including legal representation at any coroner’s inquest or fatal accident inquiry; arising out of the accident or incident giving rise to the liability indemnified under the 3rd party liability section.