Does changing to commercial use for insurance incr

Beatle_Ray

Hello,

My wife is considering doing dog walking and wonders that if she has to change the insurance cover from SDP to commercial use what that increase the cost, I assume it would?

Car_54

Premiums for business use vary according to the type of business.

I'd expect them to take into account the possibility of claims for injury to valuable dogs.

Don't forget to tell them about any modifications, like dog-guards.

MataNui

can be lower. Mine was.

Warwick_Hunt

Car_54 wrote: »

Premiums for business use vary according to the type of business.

I'd expect them to take into account the possibility of claims for injury to valuable dogs.

Don't forget to tell them about any modifications, like dog-guards.

Is that really a modification?

Car_54

Warwick_Hunt wrote: »

Is that really a modification?

I don't think so, but the insurer might. Better to tell them than to find out after a claim.

Warwick_Hunt

Car_54 wrote: »

I don't think so, but the insurer might. Better to tell them than to find out after a claim.

I’ve never declared a guard or a cage.

shaun_from_Africa

Car_54 wrote: »

Don't forget to tell them about any modifications, like dog-guards.

Warwick_Hunt wrote: »

Is that really a modification?

Yes.
As far as insurers are concerned, a modification is anything that changes the car from the manufacturers original specification (That's the wording from my policy).
Unless it's a very expensive dog guard or crate then it's extremely unlikely to have any effect on the premium but with some insurers using anything to avoid paying out, why take the risk?

Warwick_Hunt

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Yes.
As far as insurers are concerned, a modification is anything that changes the car from the manufacturers original specification (That's the wording from my policy).
Unless it's a very expensive dog guard or crate then it's extremely unlikely to have any effect on the premium but with some insurers using anything to avoid paying out, why take the risk?

So what about a bike rack or roof rack, you declare those too?

There must be 1000’s of uninsured drivers who have fitted kiddies car seats.

shaun_from_Africa

Warwick_Hunt wrote: »

There must be 1000’s of uninsured drivers who have fitted kiddies car seats.

Why?

Surely you are aware of the fact that irrespective of what you do to your vehicle or how you drive it, an insurer can't invalidate your insurance as far as it relates to third party risks so no, there won't be 1000's of uninsured drivers

What insurers can do is to lower any payout should a claim be made and they find that modifications had been made and not declared, and this is something backed up by the financial ombudsman:
http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/ombudsman-news/79/79-motor-insurance.htm#cs11

If one car is in the factory state and one has an expensive dog guard or dog crate fitted, the latter one may be more attractive to thieves if they know they can sell the guard or crate for a few £'s.

Why give insurers any excuse to avoid paying out or paying out a reduced amount?
It only takes a minute or two to inform them of any changes, something that may not even affect your premium.

neilmcl

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Yes.
As far as insurers are concerned, a modification is anything that changes the car from the manufacturers original specification (That's the wording from my policy).
Unless it's a very expensive dog guard or crate then it's extremely unlikely to have any effect on the premium but with some insurers using anything to avoid paying out, why take the risk?

Putting in a dog guard or cage is no more a modification than say fitting a child seat.

neilmcl

MataNui wrote: »

can be lower. Mine was.

Depends on what type of business use you've added. Standard business mileage use wont add much and like you say may even lower the premium. Using your car as a commercial vehicle may well increase your premium significantly.