Frequently Asked Questions

Income Protection

My employer has announced plans to reduce the size of the workforce, am I eligible for cover?	Unemployment that you know about, you are notified of, or that happens in the first 90 days of the insurance is excluded. This includes situations where you have been told your job is “at risk” or is directly involved in any merger, restructure or closure that will result in a reduced workforce. If your employer has made a general announcement with no clear indication of who might be affected, then you are eligible for cover.
Can I take out Income Protection if I am self-employed, work in a Partnership or own my own Company?	Yes, in all three situations you are considered to be self-employed and to make a claim for unemployment you need to provide evidence that your business has ceased to trade and the Inland Revenue have been informed. Accident and sickness or critical illness cover is available to you without any limitation.
I work on a fixed term contract, can I take out Income Protection?	Yes. However, under the terms of the unemployment cover you can only make a claim if your contract ends unexpectedly or if you have worked for more than 12 months. Benefit is paid for up to 12 months, or until you return to work, or until the natural expiry of your contract, whichever is the shortest period. Accident and sickness or critical illness cover is available to you without any limitation.
What cover can I take if I am retired or not working?	You can take critical illness cover to protect your financial liabilities. Accident and sickness or unemployment covers are only available to people who are working.
Do I need to have a medical to take out accident and sickness or critical illness?	There are no medical underwriting requirements for accident and sickness or critical illness covers. However, there is no cover in the first 24 months of the policy for a pre-existing condition. A pre-existing condition is something you have taken medication for or sought medical advice about in the last 6 months. This includes any illness or symptoms you may have suffered (whether a diagnosis was given or not) and any advice, treatment or consultations you have made.
Is benefit paid in addition to any sick pay from my employer?	Yes, benefit is paid in addition to any sick pay you receive from your employer.
Do I receive the payment if I claim?	Yes. Benefit is paid to a bank account nominated by you.
What critical illnesses are covered?	Cancer, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, coronary artery by-pass surgery, major organ transplant and multiple sclerosis.
How do I view the full Terms and Conditions of the policy?	The policy wording including all terms and conditions can be viewed and downloaded at any time from the website. You will be sent a copy together with a confirmation of cover and statement of fact once you have paid a premium and your cover has started.
Can I take out Income Protection after the delivery of the vehicle?	Yes. You can take out any combination of accident and sickness, unemployment or critical illness cover at any time providing you meet the eligibility criteria.
Can I change my cover and level of benefit?	Yes. If you choose monthly cover you can add another cover or change the level of benefit with 30 days notice. If you choose annual cover, you can only make a change every 12 months at renewal. Terms and conditions apply to changes in your cover and benefit, these can be found in the policy document.
Can I cancel my cover?	Yes. If you decide within 30 days of the policy starting that you do not want the cover, you can cancel and receive a full refund of the premium you have paid. After 30 days has passed, if you have annual cover and you decide to cancel we will refund premium on a pro-rata basis for the unused period of cover. If you have monthly cover we will not make a refund of premium. In all cases, we will not give a refund for a period of claim.
How long do I need to be off work or unemployed before I can claim?	For accident and sickness or unemployment, you need to be off work or unemployed for 30 consecutive days. At the end of this period we will pay one monthly benefit. After that, we calculate benefit on a daily basis and make payments in arrears every 30 days.
Can I claim more than once during the term of the policy?	You can make more than one claim under this policy, however you are not allowed to claim for more than one benefit at any one time or more than once for the same period of time. You must have returned to work for a minimum of 30 days before a new claim can be considered. You can only claim once for a critical illness.
Is there a limit on the monthly benefit I can choose?	Yes. The limit for accident and sickness and unemployment is the lower of £2500 or 60% of your gross monthly salary.
How long can I claim a monthly benefit for?	You can claim benefit for up to 365 days or until you return to work, whichever happens first. Benefit is paid in arrears every 30 days.
Can I work outside of the UK and still qualify for Accident and Sickness and Unemployment cover?	If you are working away from the UK cover can continue but you must return to the UK for a claim to be paid. You are required to be in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance for an unemployment claim and to be certified as unfit for work by a doctor registered in the UK.
How do I claim?	Go to www.MINIProtect.co.uk and download the relevant claims form. Alternatively, telephone 0845 641 9739 and request a claim form.
Can the Insurer change the terms of the cover or the premium I pay?	Yes, the Insurer can change the terms of the cover and the premium you pay, but will always write to you beforehand to tell you about the change. If you take monthly cover, you will be given at least 30 days notice of a change. If you take annual cover the terms of your cover and the premium can only change at annual renewal. Again, the Insurer will write to you with the details of any change.

MINI Shortfall

If I take out the cover, will my partner be covered in the event of an accident?	Yes, provided that they are covered under your comprehensive motor insurance policy as a named driver.
Am I covered to drive the car in the European Union?	Subject to your motor insurance providing cover within the European Union.
Does MINI Shortfall cover my car against theft?	Yes. As soon as your insurance company declares your car as a ‘total loss’ we will consider the claim under your MINI Shortfall policy.
What is a ‘total loss’?	‘Total loss’ means your insured vehicle has been deemed: by your motor insurer to be beyond economic repair as a result of a covered loss under your motor insurance policy; or stolen and not recovered under your motor insurance policy
If I am over 65 can I take out cover?	Yes. Provided you are still legally entitled to drive, and you meet the eligibility criteria within the MINI Shortfall Policy Wording.
How do I view the full Terms and Conditions of the policy?	Terms and Conditions can be viewed and downloaded at any time from the website. On completion of purchase the Confirmation of Cover and the Policy Document can be dispatched by email or by post.
If I sell my car will the cover be transferred to the new owner?	No. The cover will cease with the sale of the car.
What is meant by "Invoice Price"?	Invoice price means the price you paid for your insured car (including any factory fitted options at time of purchase). It also includes dealer fitted options, up to the value of £1000. It does not include any amount above the market value of your insured car on the date of purchase, insurance premiums, warranty costs, fuel, paint work and fabric protection applications or any other amounts included in the invoice.
If my car is a total loss and I order a new vehicle from MINI would I have to pay delivery charges, new vehicle registration fees, road tax, number plates and factory-fitted options?	For new vehicles we will not deduct any amount due under the agreement relating to delivery charges, new vehicle registration fees, road tax, number plates and factory-fitted options.
How long can I cover the vehicle for?	Cover can be taken out for 24, 36 or 48 months from the start date.
In the event of a claim, what supporting documentation needs to be sent to MINI Protect?	As well as our claim form, written confirmation of the motor insurance settlement offer following your claim for total loss, copies of the original sales invoice or receipt relating to the insured vehicle, a copy of any applicable finance agreement, written confirmation from the finance company of the early settlement amount and how it has been calculated will be required.
How long after taking delivery of the car can I purchase the cover?	Cover must be purchased for the vehicle within 120 days of the registration of delivery date of the vehicle.
What happens if I claim using a New Car Replacement under my Comprehensive Motor Insurance?	The remaining period of the Shortfall policy will be applied to your new replacement vehicle, provided the replacement vehicle is purchased from an approved MINI Dealer.
Do I need to inform you if I am travelling abroad?	No, just ensure motor insurance cover is in place. No cover if outside European Union.
Is there a maximum limit on the benefit I can choose?	Yes. Maximum cover level is 100% of the vehicle value, not exceeding £15,000 for MINI.
How do I claim?	Go to www.MINIProtect.co.uk and download the relevant claims form. Alternatively, telephone 0845 641 9739 and request a claim form. Simply fill in the form and return it, together with any other supporting documents that we may reasonably require, to the following address: Claims Department MINI Protect Services PO Box 1852 Croydon CR9 1PW
Is there a minimum vehicle value required to be eligible for cover?	No. Minimum MINI Shortfall cover purchase value is £5000 irrespective of vehicle invoice price. The cover will only pay the difference between the motor insurance settlement and the greater amount of the invoice price originally paid for the insured vehicle or the early settlement amount or the level of cover chosen if a lesser amount.
Can I purchase cover in my company name?	Yes. As long as the car has been purchased in the company name. The shortfall settlement amount will be returned to the company, not the driver.