Can Vehicle Sharing Affect My Car Insurance?

Drivers across Ireland regularly engage in carpooling, lift sharing or vehicle sharing arrangements as part of their daily commute to work or for social trips. And if you’re receiving petrol money from passengers, you might wonder if this has any effect on your car insurance. Let’s look at the specifics below.

When Vehicle Sharing Is Covered By Insurance

Under your KennCo policy, receiving payment or contributions from passengers in your vehicle as part of a car or lift sharing arrangement, such as for social or similar reasons, is generally not considered carrying passengers for hire, and it will not affect your insurance cover.

This is accepted on the basis that your vehicle sharing arrangement does not breach any of the following conditions: 

• Total payments or contributions received do not involve an element of profit.
• Your vehicle is not constructed or adapted to carry more than 7 passengers (excluding the driver).
• Passengers are not being carried for any business purpose.

Contacting Your Insurer About Car Sharing

Taxis and other commercial transport services require a different type of motor insurance. Running a vehicle sharing arrangement for profit or as a business will likely void your car insurance policy and you won’t be covered in the event of an accident. 

If you have any doubt or are unsure about whether a vehicle sharing arrangement is covered by your KennCo policy, please contact a KennCo customer advisor or ask your insurer before entering into an arrangement.

Need to Discuss Your Policy?

If you have any questions about your KennCo policy, contact our team today to review your cover or new customers can get a quote to stay fully protected on the road.