Does changing to commercial use for insurance incr

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

    https://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=105327
    Feeling silly for never having considered this before. I've just checked with my car insurance provider (Direct Line) and it turns out they consider a roof rack to be a modification


    https://www.moneywise.co.uk/news/2015-10-21/why-roof-rack-could-invalidate-your-car-insurance-half-term
    Matt Oliver, car insurance spokesperson at the comparison site, said: “The logistics and traffic that usually accompany a half-term family road-trip can be stressful at the best of times, and for most of us, the consequences of having an accident is the last thing on our minds. However, making sure you know the level of cover you have before you set off could help avoid any unexpected financial surprises.
    “Car modifications extend far beyond alloy wheels, body kits and spoilers and not informing your insurer of a roof rack or a tow bar could result in your claim being rejected. If it wasn’t there when the car left the showroom, it’s worth checking with your provider
  • Car_54
    Car_54 Posts: 8,180
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    We're missing the point here. The OP is planning to transport dogs as a business, so a dog guard is very relevant.
  • Warwick_Hunt
    Warwick_Hunt Posts: 1,179 Forumite
    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.

    And would you tell them if you were fitting a child seat or even a dog seatbelt restraint?
  • My wife started a dog walking business last year. Insured my Auris estate for business use without any change in cost. She was thinking of using the car as a pet taxi but couldn't find cover for that, that was affordable so had to ditch that idea.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,077
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    Car_54 wrote: »
    We're missing the point here. The OP is planning to transport dogs as a business, so a dog guard is very relevant.

    My wife has a flyball team. She transports ours in dog cages as does every other member of the team. Nobody uses dog guards.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,077
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    She was thinking of using the car as a pet taxi but couldn't find cover for that, that was affordable so had to ditch that idea.

    Liability insurance to cover injury to the dogs, hire or reward insurance for the vehicle as you're carrying other people's goods for profit.
  • Car_54
    Car_54 Posts: 8,180
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    Tarambor wrote: »
    My wife has a flyball team. She transports ours in dog cages as does every other member of the team. Nobody uses dog guards.

    She transports flies in a dog cage?
  • Car_54
    Car_54 Posts: 8,180
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    Tarambor wrote: »
    Liability insurance to cover injury to the dogs, hire or reward insurance for the vehicle as you're carrying other people's goods for profit.

    AIUI hire & reward would only be relevant if the she was being paid to carry the dogs. She isn't: the business is walking, the transportation is incidental.

    Liability is a good point - she should also get public liability and possibly professional indemnity insurance.
  • LandyAndy
    LandyAndy Posts: 26,377
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    Car_54 wrote: »
    She transports flies in a dog cage?

    No. Just their balls. :cool:
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