Not teaching you to suck eggs at all, but from that wording "If a car, as a result of an investigation, is deemed to have been in an unroadworthy condition prior to a claim" it would appear (to me!) that if the car was roadworthy, they handbook doesn't seem to want an MOT?
Which basically means we're both saying the same thing, using different language?
That was taken specifically from a claim scenario, not as an overall policy clause. Since i'm saying you need the MOT if you have a claim, that's all i felt the need to quote.
You don't need to produce an MOT certificate when you incept a policy, no. However, if you did have a claim, and you dont have an MOT (and your car is over 3 years old) then it's highly likely that's going to be taken in to consideration (in our department, it's a 100% void policy.) and may well result in a nulled claim.
As for insuring a car that's been offraod for a year... well the first thing i'd do is get an MOT :/ since it's illegal not to have one and all that. Yes, my car is over 3 years old.
So basically what i'm saying is, yes.. you DO have to have an MOT if your car is over 3 years old because its a legal requirement and that you SHOULD have an MOT because you may well lose out in the event of a claim. and that's never fun.