Check your car insurance

[susi513]

NCMA magazine p.17 has an advertorial about their Motorminder policy. It says Class 1 and Class 2 business use is not adequate for childminders, we should all have class 3.

I've always bought Class 1, having told the insurance providers I am a childminder and checking the policy is suitable before buying each policy - so I assumed the NCMA "advertorial" was simply designed to frighten people into buying their policy.

Sheilas wheels have an online chat facility, I spoke to Pam there and she explained that different insurance providers have different definitions for each class. For example, their Class 3 is just to enable other named drivers to use the car in connection with the business as well as the main policy holder. She assures me their Class 1 is suitable for childminders. Another website says their Class 3 is for transporting light goods.

Anyway, my current insurance provider Ecarinsurance now tell me that I am not covered by my policy -:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

"Unfortunately, we are unable to cover you to carry passengers as a
occupation. The underwriters calculate this as too high risk to the
insurance company."

So my recommendation is, whichever class of business use you buy, to get written confirmation that the policy covers you for transporting minded children and keep it on file.

Susi

[ajs]

i insure with leighton blakham who are brokers that specifically insure childminders so i am sure they would know their stuff
i have no idea what business class i am in as i just told them it was for a childminder and they put that on my form

[angeldelight]

I do not drive so this does not affect me

Thank you though Susi for pointing it out - that is something you might not know and could over look so handy to know

Thank you

Angel xx

[Tatia]

I'll mention this to my husband, who handles the insurance as well as does the chauferring. I saw that in Who Minds but didn't read it very closely.

[susi513]

ajs, you'll be fine then, thats the company who do the NCMA policies - (Motor Minder) so I would expect the policy may well state that you're a childminder on it?

[Kelly]

After reading the NCMA article yesterday I thought I would double check, I did tell 'sheila's wheels' about my business when I took the insurance out. I am pleased to say that they have confirmed that their policy with buisness class 1 insurance covers childminders, the guy kindly checked the small print for me when I told him about the article. Deffinatlely worth checking though!

Kell

[flora]

Having read the aricle I'm gonna check my policy too, always am very specific when asking for quote etc, but just goes to show.
Didn't like the way the article was placed, just looked like an article at first glance, only on closer inspection do you see it's just a glorified advert :angry:

[deeb66]

I saw this article too and it is on my list to contct my insurers

I am insured by Tesco......is anyone else with Tesco?......and have you checked?

[Heaven Scent]

:panic: :panic: :panic: So glad I went with the childinding insurance when I changed my policy. I also would be interested if anyone has anything to say about article who minds mag about us having to register to carry people for payment or reward like a taxi licence I mentioned it in a thread yesterday and no one seems to have picked up on it yet I can't find the article just at the moment but, its made me mad I mentioned it at the childminding group this morning.

Celine.:panic: :panic: :panic:

[sarah707]

:panic: :panic: :panic: So glad I went with the childinding insurance when I changed my policy. I also would be interested if anyone has anything to say about article who minds mag about us having to register to carry people for payment or reward like a taxi licence I mentioned it in a thread yesterday and no one seems to have picked up on it yet I can't find the article just at the moment but, its made me mad I mentioned it at the childminding group this morning.

Celine.:panic: :panic: :panic:

Didn't see that thread sorry Celine! What is it saying? That we need a special registration to carry passengers?

I know there was something new about insurance for minibuses recently, but didn't think it applied to us.... can you fill me in and I'll try and get some info.

I'm with MM for my car insurance thank goodness! :D

[Kelly]

Celine, I did glance at that article, but must admit I didn't really look at it, I was always under the impression if your vehicle had over 9 seats the taxi licence applied, or something to that effect, (although I do feel like a taxi most of the time) I will sit and read the article tonight though.

Kelly

[wendywu]

Couldnt we put in our contract that any monies paid to ourselves only covered the time that the children were not in the car. That any time they were transported in the car the parents were not being charged and we were giving free childcare. Not that we would change our rates but this would shut everyone up and the parents would agree because they would still want the children taken out. Does every one understand what i mean:idea:

[Rubybubbles]

I'm with AA insurance and when took it on am down as a childminder with 1st class business, I am a wimp and will get hubby onto it tomorrow, will let you know what they say:thumbsup:

These things do need confirming, just a good job it's the end of the month, no fuel in car:laughing:

[miffy]

Thanks Susi

I'll pass this on

Miffy xx

[oakie dokie]

i checked with mine yesterday, tesco and i am covered.

hazelx

[Annie_T]

myself and partner are covered to drive each others cars and other (if insured and got permission).

i spoke to our insurance bout cover for myself when i become a childminder and they said i will be covered all i have to do it change my ocupation on it all

so glad at that there wont be an extra charge either.

[buildingblocks]

We are with Direct Line. hubby drives us around but I do hold a driving licence even though i never drive and am classed as a named driver on the policy. We were told Class 1 covered us 5 years ago so I got him to ring up and confirm this. and get it in writing. Anyway they have sent it in writing!!!!!! only didn't put that the class 1 covered childminding usless so and so's (note to self organ grinder do it next time not hte monkey)

[susi513]

Recommend you do not rely on what you may be told over the phone. If your insurance provider tells you you are covered (like ecarinsurance told me) then ask them to confirm in writing.

Sheilas Wheels told me that they automatically cover childminders with their Class 1 business insurance. But when I asked again, and asked them to confirm in writing what they actually wrote was that cover is only provided where the work is of a voluntary nature !!!!!

BTW Didn't know Morton Michel did car insurance but they do and say that their policy states “Social, Domestic, Pleasure and Business use in connection with childcare activities”.

[brillminder]

sound interesting must check

[keatingschick]

I know this is an old thread that I am ressurecting, but this has just been brought BACK up here where I live.
2 years ago we heard the rumour re needing a taxi licence, but were virtually told by the early years that what had happened was, some "group" had been managing to slip through the net of not getting PSV licence and so they had re-worded the legislation and we had been grouped into it. The thing was they actually said it DIDNT really apply to us and we didnt need to do anything about it.
A week ago we all got a letter from the local borough telling us we needed to be aware of this legislation and that as we carry children for "hire or reward" we may need to apply for a PSV licence. Informing us to contact VOSA to find out.
I spoke to several childminders who all said BIN THE LETTER....but then I got a text from a new childminder whose husband had gotten involved and he was digging and digging and said basically childminders DO need it and that he had all the details...lots of details but basically we have to take taxi licence, your car is checked every 10 weeks to ensure it is road worthy, you have to have 4,000 in the bank to ensure you can pay for repairs..and the big one for me - since I would be the licence holder...my car would he classed as a taxi and therefore it would only be ME that could drive my car!! :eek:
I rang early years, who really seemed CLUELESS and basically said they were just making us aware (sort of washing their hands kind of thing).
So...I rang VOSA after 1/2 hour I finally got through to someone and was told as I had less that 9 seats it did not apply :clapping:
So...I rang early years AGAIN...who didnt sound convinced but still were unwilling to get involved...and suggested that IF that was the case get it in writing....I rang VOSA again...and was told exactly the same...then was transferred to the PSV department who ALSO told me they would NOT issue me a licence as I had under 9 seats. So I was happy.

That night I had a phone call from this childminders husband saying VOSA told me WRONG, because I did not inform them that I do it for "hire or reward"...I am a childminder....its not rocket science to work out what I do:angry: He was ranting on and on and on and was talking about going to MP'S

Anyway yesterday I rang VOSA AGAIN!!! The man I spoke to STILL insisted that I do NOT need a licence and if I asked him for one he wouldnt give me one!! He gave me the email address of the main guy in his office and I am awaiting a reply.

Just wondering if anyone else has had any more experience re this...tho I am thinking its just OUR borough since this thread is 2 years old:(

[rickysmiths]

It was threatened here a few years ago but dismissed. We are not employed by our families as a taxi. We do not charge for individual journeys. We charge for a service and that is to care for their child, it may include going to school for which we may or may not use the car. As I see it the parent is not booking the use of our car for specfic trips in the way you would book a taxi.

If we agree in a contract to collect a child from home regularly or take them home or just pick up from home. Or take directly to their home from school so the child never enters your home and you make a seperate charge for these journeys then you may have a problem.

It is for this reason that I will never agree to always collect or deliver mindees or to ever just do a school run where the mindee never enters my home.

I know a minder near here who has just signed a contract to collect a child from pre-school and take them to a Day Nursery 5-6 miles away. To my mind this is not childminding this is an example of behaving like a taxi. I refused to do this when the parent came to see me and so did a number of other local childminders.

[sarah707]

I spoke to Morton Michel about the NCMA claims that we need class 3 insurance.

Class 3 is usually for people like door-to-door salesmen by the way :rolleyes:

This is their reply which is clearly saying it is not necessary :D

Hi Sarah

Thank you for your email.

As you say class 3 business use is known throughout the insurance industry as commercial travelling, i.e. for sales reps etc.

The NCMA say this as they have a scheme provided by Bluefin and for some reason they market it as class 3 business use.

The motor insurance policy provided by Morton Michel is tailor made for the childcare industry and as such the wording on the certificate reflects this. Our wording says social, domestic & pleasure use and in connection with childcare activities.

Any company that sells any type of insurance has to be authorised by the FSA, our authorisation number is 308590 and you can check this on www.fsa.gov.uk.

We have been arranging insurance for childminders since 1973 and are experts in this field and have many satisfied policyholders.

I hope this clarifies matters.

Kind Regards


Becky Sawyer Cert CII

Motor & Minibus Account
Morton Michel

[TheBTeam]

I complained to NCMA and to Motorminder and the insurance ombudsman about 2 years ago after reading a motorminder advert which says that most insurance companies did not insure you when having business class 1 insurance, despite two insurances companies that we used at the time being adamant that what my husband and I had was fine.

As a result of my letter to NCMA/Motorminder they made changes to the way they market their product as they had a whole lot of childminders very scared and very worried about policies that they had that were perfectly acceptable.

I have just changed my car insurance for both cars to one company who insist that class 1 is fine, will still go back again for yet another clarification though, because you can become paranoid.

As long as you do not charge for individual journeys separately, you charge your same rate for each hour etc whether you use a car or not then you are not a taxi. Your car would have to have 10 seats (including driver) to be classed as a minibus and require additional license classes. This has been queried so many times and :clapping: still it resurfaces every couple of years to scare people.

I did know of a childminder who charged parents everytime she used her car, and it was at her discretion when she used it but she billed them retrospectively for it, wonder if she has changed because this has to be taxiing? (sp:blush: ) :laughing:

[Pipsqueak]

I have just been shopping around for insurance for the car as my renewal came through (with Elephant) and they want £1000 - a leap of nearly £350.

AA was a fairly competitive quote compared with a few others but when I rung MotorMinder they banged on and on and on about this Class 3 and that other companies don't cover childminders properly etc. However, what grabbed me was that they will give me a 7seater courtsey car and replace the carseats - neither of which any other company will promise me. So for the first time ever I am going with MotorMinder.

I am beginning to find NCMA's 'holier than thou, you can use no other company/product etc' attitude irritating though - you can't use other types of contract, you have got to do what they say regarding breaches of contract, etc etc.

[rickysmiths]

I have just been shopping around for insurance for the car as my renewal came through (with Elephant) and they want £1000 - a leap of nearly £350.

AA was a fairly competitive quote compared with a few others but when I rung MotorMinder they banged on and on and on about this Class 3 and that other companies don't cover childminders properly etc. However, what grabbed me was that they will give me a 7seater courtsey car and replace the carseats - neither of which any other company will promise me. So for the first time ever I am going with MotorMinder.

I am beginning to find NCMA's 'holier than thou, you can use no other company/product etc' attitude irritating though - you can't use other types of contract, you have got to do what they say regarding breaches of contract, etc etc.

Out of interest did you have to pay extra for your 7 seater car replacement?
The last I heard to insure you get the larger car though Blu Fin you had to pay £45 on top of your premium. Also be careful when it gets to renewal time because I know a couple of people including me that did not get renewal documents and it caused a lot of problems.

I have spoken to NCMA at length and have also written in the last six months about what I feel is an unhealthy relationship between Blu Fin and NCMA.
I have found their heavy advertising in Who Minds boardering on offensive and scaremongeringover the last year. I know a number of changes have already been made and more are on the way. Certainly the style and number of their adverts has changed in Who Minds as a result. NCMA are beginning to take a broarder veiw and hopefully we will see other insurers advertising in Who Minds in future, who knows.

Also for a company who perports to be Childminding specialists it amazes me that childminding and the 'special' cover they offer was not mentioned in the Policy Documents my husband and I had from them.

I, apart, from a horrendous year with Blu Fin, have been with Churchill for years. They insure the children in the car as long as you don't have more in it than the car is designed to have, they replace the car seats if you are involved in an accident and I pay £20 to make sure I receive a car of the same size as mine. I could have free GreenFlag membership if I wanted, I have RAC cover on my car, free through Skoda. They are also cheaper for us than Blu Fin.

[keatingschick]

Yeah, VOSA basically told me since I had under 9 seats it didnt apply to me. And he also stated that I clearly wasnt picking children up along a sort of BUS ROUTE.
I did actually pick a child up and drop off, because the parent struggled for transport, but I never charged any different n I just went alont with what she said when she said it. N basically when I use my car its more for MY convenience than the parents, i.e. if I want us to go to the park but have to get back for my own children finishing school, obviously rather than us having to cut our outing short I use my car and can get home quicker.
It did rear its ugly head a couple of years ago and even the early years said it doesnt apply, take no notice. But this time, it was a little sneaky, the early years were saying they had made us aware, it was our responsibility what to do about it. And this gentleman basically said that they were covering themselves because now they made me aware it was ME choosing to break the law!!!
Apparently now its been sorted.........for the time being!!
Thanks for the responses x

[Emz]

I saw this article too and it is on my list to contct my insurers

I am insured by Tesco......is anyone else with Tesco?......and have you checked?

Im with tesco, they said it came automatically on mine, it states it on your cover page for insurance.

[cmlr]

AXA has a dropped down list on employment type and "childminder" is one of the choices. I also asked them to confirm in writing (by e-mail) that they will insure me to use the car for my childminding service.