I've been covering #Brexit at @POLITICOEurope for 4+ years, saying I had no stake as I've neither a nor passport. Turns out, I was wrong. Via my washing machine, specifically my washing machine's extended warranty, Brexit has an impact on my life. 1/

Today, @DandG_UK informed me that they will transfer my warranty to Domestic & General Insurance Europe AG in Germany. "The transfer is being carried out to allow us to continue providing service and renew your policy," they wrote, 2/

"as well as to continue developing the business in Europe after the end of the Brexit transition period, which is currently set for December 31, 2020." They also reassured me that as a customer I would not notice any difference. 3/

"We ensure that there will be no change in the cost of your policy as a result of the transfer and that all the features of your policy will remain the same as before, including the process for making a claim." They included a link with more info https://www.domesticandgeneral.com/PartVIITransfer  4/

But of course the notice made me curious. So I took a look at Domestic & General's 2019 annual report, which cites a "significant charge" of £4.4 million in #Brexit costs. They also disclosed an array of Brexit-related risks. 5/

Ex. "D&G’s business in the European Union is currently conducted using passporting rights by DGI from the United Kingdom. A Hard Brexit under which DGI lost these passporting rights...would result in the inability of DGI to continue regulated activities in the European Union...6/

"...and would therefore have a material impact on
D&G’s international business." And this: "Uncertainties related to the effects of Brexit are relevant to understanding our audit of the financial statements...Brexit is one of the most significant economic events for the UK ... 7/

"...and at the date of this report its effects are subject to unprecedented levels of uncertainty of outcomes, with the full range of possible effects unknown...no audit should be expected to predict the unknowable factors...this is particularly the case in relation to Brexit" 8/

Clearly, Domestic & General is not waiting around for the outcome of trade talks btw @MichelBarnier & @DavidGHFrost. My warranty is moving to Germany; and after spending big £££ to restructure, I suspect D&G won't move the warranty back even if that became possible. 9/

No doubt this sort of thing is playing out across countless #UK industries & businesses. Also for some #EU biz operating in UK. But since Britain had £23 billion trade surplus in services w/ EU in 2019, no doubt as @MichelBarnier says, UK is getting hit harder 10/

Hopefully my washing machine won't need repairs. If it does, I don't care if the warranty policy is held by a German or British corp. Short term, #Brexit expenses no doubt raise cost of warranties for new customers & that's not really my problem 11/

But while clock ticks & politicians posture, businesses are, well, taking care of business, sending out fine-print that millions folks won't read, but basically says companies are spending millions so they can stay in business & customers don't notice change. #BrexitReality 12/12