Car Insurance, Business Use and Transport Rules for Foster Carers

Looking after transport properly is part of keeping children safe and keeping your fostering approval in good standing. This guide explains how car insurance for foster carers works in the UK, why business use is usually needed, and the day-to-day rules around transporting children for school, contact, health appointments and activities. It’s written to help you speak confidently with your insurer and supervising social worker—without drowning in jargon.

Why “business use” matters for foster carers

What counts as “business” when you foster

Standard car insurance often covers “social, domestic and pleasure”, sometimes with commuting to a single place of work. Fostering doesn’t fit neatly into that, because you’ll make journeys on behalf of your fostering role—school runs to a new placement, contact centre visits, health assessments, training, reviews, and emergency pickups. Insurers typically see these as business journeys. Even if you’re not paid “per mile” by default, the act of providing foster care is considered your work, so you should request business use on your policy.

Choosing the right insurance category

SDP, commuting and the levels of business use

If your policy only lists Social, Domestic and Pleasure (SDP), you’re unlikely to be covered for placement-related trips. Adding commuting alone rarely fixes it, because your destinations vary. Ask for Business Class 1 as a minimum; it usually covers your own business use without carrying passengers for hire and reward. Some insurers label fostering explicitly; others simply add a note under Class 1 that includes fostering activities. If you transport colleagues or attend multi-agency meetings frequently, confirm that’s included. For carers who use larger vehicles or regularly carry multiple children, check any restrictions on vehicle size, number of passengers, or mileage.

Declaring your fostering role to the insurer

What to tell them and what to have in writing

Be upfront: tell the insurer you are an approved foster carer, describe typical journeys (school, contact centre, health, activities, training), the number of children you might carry and any additional drivers in the household. Ask for written confirmation that your policy covers business use for fostering. Keep that email or letter with your household documents. If the agency or local authority has a “grey fleet” policy—where you use your own car for work purposes—upload your certificate there too.

Adding named drivers and occasional drivers

Household members, respite carers and support network drivers

Anyone who might drive foster children—partner, adult child at home, or a regular respite supporter—should be named on the policy if they’ll use your car. If they’ll drive their own car with the children on board, their insurance also needs business use. A quick annual review avoids last-minute snags before a contact run or school emergency. For babysitters or extended family who rarely drive the children, you should either avoid using them for transport or get one-off written approval and proof of cover from your supervising social worker.

Transporting children safely

Car seats, seating positions and everyday checks

Use age- and size-appropriate child car seats and ensure they’re fitted to manufacturer instructions. Keep the front passenger airbag deactivated if the law or seat type requires it. Children should never share a seatbelt and shouldn’t sit in the front unless risk-assessed and agreed. A quick pre-journey routine—seat fixings tight, belts untwisted, doors locked child-safe, loose items stowed—prevents most issues. For teens, agree expectations on phones, music and seatbelts before you set off.

Journeys for school, contact and appointments

Planning, consent and recording

Many placements involve transport to school outside your area or contact sessions at set times. Build in buffer time, confirm the contact plan details each week, and log any changes or missed sessions in your daily records. For medical, dental and statutory appointments, note who attended, any advice given, and mileage if you’re claiming. If a route regularly runs late due to traffic, ask for a review with the social worker to adjust timings or consider alternative transport.

Mileage, reimbursement and what you can claim

Keep simple, consistent records

Most agencies and local authorities reimburse mileage for contact, school, training and certain appointments, plus occasional parking and tolls. Use one consistent method: an app, a vehicle logbook or a spreadsheet. Record date, start/end mileage, purpose and destination. Submit claims on time and keep receipts where required. If you have significant regular costs (e.g., high-distance school runs), discuss whether a higher rate or additional support applies.

Using taxis, public transport and escorts

When you can use alternatives to your own car

If you can’t transport a child safely—vehicle off the road, car seat issue, or two simultaneous commitments—speak to your supervising social worker. Taxis can be authorised for agreed purposes, sometimes with an escort for younger children or those with additional needs. For public transport, risk-assess the route: crowded interchanges, late finishes, or complex changes may not be suitable. Keep the receipt trail and add a note to your logs explaining why the alternative was used.

Breakdowns, accidents and safeguarding

What to do if something goes wrong on the road

Carry basic breakdown cover, a high-visibility vest, a small first-aid kit and charged phones. In a breakdown, move to a safe place away from traffic, call recovery, then notify your supervising social worker as soon as it’s safe. After any accident, prioritise medical help, exchange details, take photos if appropriate, and inform your insurer and agency. Record a factual, time-stamped account in your daily logs. If the child shows anxiety about transport afterwards, let school and the social worker know so support can be offered.

Driving standards, penalties and fitness to drive

How your licence status links to fostering approval

Tell your agency immediately if you receive penalty points, a ban, or if a medical condition affects your driving. Keep your MOT, tax and servicing up to date; agencies may request copies annually. For carers with night-time contact or long-distance school runs, consider sharing driving with a named driver to manage fatigue. If a young person is pushing boundaries around curfews or risky peers, agree a plan with your supervising social worker; don’t attempt to drive if you feel unsafe.

Dashcams, photos and data protection

Recording safely and lawfully

Some carers use a dashcam purely for collision evidence. If you do, set it to avoid recording inside the vehicle, store footage securely, and only retain it for reasonable periods. Never post identifiable images of children’s journeys on social media. If an incident occurs in the car, your daily log should describe behaviour factually without unnecessary personal data about third parties.

Pets, smoking/vaping and general car rules

Keeping the car a safe, neutral space

Transport rules often extend wider than seatbelts. Keep the car smoke-free and avoid strong fragrances that might trigger sensory issues. If you transport family pets, make sure they’re restrained and that it’s appropriate for the child’s needs and history. Maintain a calm environment: stable temperature, reasonable music volume, and predictable routines.

If you use a minibus or larger vehicle

Extra steps for multi-seat transport

Some carers use seven- or nine-seat vehicles. Check whether your licence entitlement covers the seating capacity and whether the insurer needs additional info. Make sure all seats have three-point belts, anchor points for car seats if required, and that the rear rows allow safe belt checks. For group trips, complete a brief risk assessment and share plans with your supervising social worker.

Practical checklist before your next journey

A quick routine that keeps you covered

Before you start a busy week, confirm your policy shows Business Class 1 (or equivalent) with fostering noted, that the correct drivers are listed, and that your car seats match each child’s current height and weight. Keep your insurance documents, breakdown number, and a paper copy of the contact plan in the glove box or secure phone folder. Update your mileage log every evening so claims and records stay accurate.

Final word for foster carers

Make insurance boring—in a good way

When transport is sorted, everything else gets easier. The smartest approach is simple: declare fostering to your insurer, request business use, keep vehicles safe and documented, and keep your supervising social worker in the loop about drivers, routes and costs. That way, you’re covered legally, you can claim fairly for the journeys you undertake, and—most importantly—the children in your care travel safely and predictably to school, family time and the activities that help them thrive.