Car insurance hell !!!!

[ImJustMadAboutSaffron]

Hello, I do pet sitting as well as my main job. I do this on the way to and from work sometimes, and locally. I have standard car insurance that covers me for journeys to and from work but not business insurance. I got my car stolen and the insurers are querying whether this is a business or if I get paid. I do sometimes, also I get given wine etc, presents and they sometimes look after my animals in return. I didn't even think about taking out business insurance because it's intermittent and not my main job. I just pop in to feed animals for people now and again, and a lot of it is walking distance at home.

When the car was stolen it was on a weekend when I was out with friends, nothing to do with work. Would this invalidate the policy? I'm terrified.

I just bought a new car and need to speak to them about getting that insured too. Should I be prepared they will not pay up for the stolen vehicle? It has been recovered.

Sorry I just saw the update, I forgot I had my phone sitting on this page for a while.

Was this cat sitting for a friend just a favour rather than a business transaction? If so I would just say that you were watching the car as a favour and not getting paid for it.

However if you are going to taking on paid per sitting in future, you should have business insurance, and also public liability.

I'm insured public liability, as I am on a franchised pet sitting website and that covers it.

You need business insurance - it doesn't matter that you only earn £10 here and there.

The insurance company have now found out that you use your car for business and don't have appropriate insurance - they'd be well within their rights to cancel your policy.

Hire and reward is more about taxi or courier services, not just running your own business.

It doesn’t matter if this was a personal journey. If your insurance know you’ve been using it for business then the insurance is void.

It doesn't seem to have a baring this claim, however it does sound like you haven't had the correct insurance.

Unfortunately now the insurance company know she's been using her car for business use without insurance, they will likely cancel her policy and she won't be able to claim.

The man from the broker just spoke to me and said there is no issue with the current claim. It is nothing to do with business use as I was out for social reasons BUT going forwards business use is a good idea.

You're incredibly lucky.

Many insurers would cancel your policy and deny any claims.

I think this is A Thing with insurance companies at the moment. DH had to claim recently, not his fault at all. They practically asked what size shoes he was wearing and made a massive fuss because my job title has changed and said it might invalidate the claim. I wasn't driving and I have gone from finance trainee to finance assistant.

I suspect they are hoping to deny your claim - but as the pet sitting has no relevance to the incident I'd be really surprised if they can. It would be a breach of the Insurance Act 2015 which says only breaches of clauses which affect the claim can be taken into consideration. IANAL and I used to work in insurance but not car insurance.

This isn't correct
Hire and reward is taxi services

That must be a huge relief to you.

i hope it all works out ok x

If I entrusted my house key to someone else, I would expect that person to keep the key with her or in a safe place in her home. I'd be hopping mad if she left it in a parked car.

@ImJustMadAboutSaffron

Because I contacted them, to ask if I could retrieve some keys from it, as I have been asked to feed an animal over the weekend. They've picked it up and run with it.

Why do people do this? Give extra information. It often causes issues.

Next time you are in a situation that may be tricky just stick to the basics.
'I need to retrieve some things from the car'

That's it. If they push which they won't, just say 'some keys and personal affects'

There is no need to qualify things with details about feeding other peoples pets

Apologies for my misinformation in relation to hire or reward.
Seems your sorted now thankfully