Insurance query

November2

Still haven't found the answer to my insurance query. I run a small CL Caravan Club tourer site and have domestic and business rates as the site is deemed separate to my dwelling being on my field. My query is on insurance, I already have insurance for the business but am having trouble getting quotes for my home. My question is, do I have to declare I run a business from home on the quotation form if my business and home have separate rates?  because as soon as I do I am either told they will not insure me and to get business insurance or I get silly high quotes thinking I own a full on caravan site. I of course answer booking queries on the phone in the house but no one comes into my home as they drive onto the field and off again. Having spoken to several insurance companies I honestly believe they haven't a clue themselves regarding home businesses!  Currently with Admiral whose renewal this week states I declared I do not run a business from home yet I told them about it over the phone, and apparently my insurance is void if not true!  It all seems so much more complicated than it should be!

Bookworm105

I doubt anyone on here can give you an answer that your insurer would honour
The only answer that matters will be in writing from your insurer

DullGreyGuy

So is the field and house on the same title or separate? What is the barrier between the field and the home's land?

Do you have some form of "office" in the field? How does a new arriver get your attention or someone contact you if there is a problem?

born_again

Further to the above. Do campers come into house if issues?

Could you not include house in business insurance?

Rates should/will not have any effect on insurance. 

Savvy_Sue

Best suggestion would be to find a broker. 

Rodders53

Have you got quotes from the CMC https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/insurance/other-insurance/home-insurance/

and/or asked for advice from the Caravan (and Motorhome) Club CL people?

They would be familiar with the issue if it is commonplace.

Mistral001

Can you separate the caravan site from your home in such a way that it has a separate address to your home address.  Then it would be just a case of somebody who works remotely from home, like if you were employed by say a travel agent or the Civil Service and worked from home.

lincroft1710

Unless you are in NI you will not have "domestic rates", you will have Council Tax as will the dwelling element of any property with both business and residential usage. If you take bookings via the home phone then it can be argued you are running a business from home. There must be plenty of CLs, small camping and glamping sites which are in a field adjoining the owner's home. Can you not contact a few of these and see if they were able to circumvent the problem.

Savvy_Sue

lincroft1710 said:

Unless you are in NI you will not have "domestic rates", you will have Council Tax as will the dwelling element of any property with both business and residential usage.

Although, if any room within the home is exclusively used for business, then business rates may be charged on that area, as well as CT for the rest. It's why it's suggested that one might also use the home office for ironing, or as a spare bedroom, and equip it accordingly.

lincroft1710

Savvy_Sue said:

lincroft1710 said:

Unless you are in NI you will not have "domestic rates", you will have Council Tax as will the dwelling element of any property with both business and residential usage.

Although, if any room within the home is exclusively used for business, then business rates may be charged on that area, as well as CT for the rest. It's why it's suggested that one might also use the home office for ironing, or as a spare bedroom, and equip it accordingly.

I'm ex VOA and that very, very rarely happens and in any case if there was a room used exclusively for business use it would not be part of the dwelling element. Where there is a composite hereditament, i.e. part business, part residential, the CT is worked out by a formula using both the value of the dwelling element and the value of the whole property,

Savvy_Sue

lincroft1710 said:

Savvy_Sue said:

lincroft1710 said:

Unless you are in NI you will not have "domestic rates", you will have Council Tax as will the dwelling element of any property with both business and residential usage.

Although, if any room within the home is exclusively used for business, then business rates may be charged on that area, as well as CT for the rest. It's why it's suggested that one might also use the home office for ironing, or as a spare bedroom, and equip it accordingly.

I'm ex VOA and that very, very rarely happens and in any case if there was a room used exclusively for business use it would not be part of the dwelling element. Where there is a composite hereditament, i.e. part business, part residential, the CT is worked out by a formula using both the value of the dwelling element and the value of the whole property,

I'm sure it is very rare, but it happened to us at work: residential property, with support workers there 24/7, and one room used as an office. It's a long time ago, so I don't remember any adjustment to the CT, but I recognise your expertise.

The liability for business rates was assessed by the VOA looking through the window IIRC ...