Tax liability and insurance
Information relating to taxation essential to the foster carer role is available on the HMRC website.
Advice is also available from the Fostering Network.
Insurance
As a carer, you must have:
- buildings and content insurance
- notified your insurers of your fostering status
If this increases your premiums, we will meet any additional premium.
Our insurance also covers carers for loss or damage caused by a child in their care.
In the event of a claim:
- You must first contact your insurance provider and make a claim.
- If they decline to satisfy the claim, you must ask for this in writing.
- You must then complete a claims form as soon as possible after the incident. The form is available from your supervising social worker (SSW). Each incident must be claimed on a separate form. You must include proper estimates (on headed paper and with clear details of work to be carried out). You will need one estimate for claims under £500 and two for those over £500. Insurers may at times request additional information.
Give the signed form with the estimates attached to your SSW. They will then pass it to their team manager. The team manager will take responsibility for managing the claims process. They will arrange for you to be notified of progress.
You must notify your car insurers that you are fostering. If your insurers fail to provide cover as a result, you should seek other quotes. Should this result in a higher premium, we will meet the additional premium cost. We do not provide cover for damage to cars attributable to your fostering role.