I think the sit cancellation insurance could be made much better as well. Paying for the premium membership, mainly for that benefit, though the fact you have to pay out of pocket first for the alternate accomdation, and then submit the claim, hoping they will approve it, is a little concerning.
In any case. my inquiry here is in the case that anything happens while on a sit, at the pet parents home. If the pet damages our things, if there is a leak, or any manner of things that could potentially happen in someone’s home that could affect/damage your personal belongings.
Thank you. The renters insurance you have, does that cover your items in storage, as well as the things you travel with to your various sits? Is that what you meant? If so, that sounds very helpful.
Thank you for sharing the names of Toggle and Lemonade.
THS Sit Cancellation Insurance includes quirky terms. THS/underwriter approval occurs shortly after sit cancellation event. Not after incurred expenses. So there is upfront clarity on approval or otherwise.
The insurance we have is from a company called Protectivity, It is a policy created specifically for petsitters. I asked if it is ok even if the petsitter is not being paid cash for their services and was assured that’s fine. We paid £80 for a year which I think is good value for us as we are sitting back to back full time. This company only covers UK/Isle of man/Jersey/Guernsey residents but I would think other countries have equivalent.
If any Uk sitters are interested, I have a referral code
We’ve spoken with chat support a few times on this to clarify terms. If you contact chat and asked them, they will likely tell you similarly. We’ve never had to file a sit cancellation claim, though from our understanding, based on the guidance received from chat support, the approval occurs after you submit the expense of the accomodation, not before. You don’t receive upfront clarity that the expense will be reimbursed. You pay for accomodations first, then submit that expense as a claim, to then be paid out if approved by their underwriter.
@mspc, this was not our experience. two pet parents cancelled our housesits, on first day of housesit, in international locations. in each case we contacted THS and they collated information in regards sit cancellation (e.g. which party cancelled) and assessed other information related to policy terms (e.g. availability of alternative local housesits). In one instance, THS denied our application for THS Sit Cancellation Insurance as there were active listed sits in local area (San Francisco, California) - this is a term, ugh, of their coverage. In one instance, THS approved our application for Sit Cancellation Insurance and provided useful instructions - we arranged alternative accommodation (Schengen zone country), submitted receipts and were repaid with a handful of weeks. In each instance, the THS decision was made prior at time of sit cancellation and before we incurred any expenses. Suggest that confirm with support@trustedhousesitters.com or search THS Forum - there are examples, such as a great walkthrough of successful claim last year by @Silversitters.
@Colin, thank you - appreciated & interesting. Not seen such a policy before. Alas not wotk for us as UK housesits by UK residents. Will poke around to try identify international equivalent - welcome insight from other Forum folks. Agreed policy cost is hopefully a rounding error for full-time housesitters. Thanks again
@gotyourback That wasn’t how it worked when I filed a claim, maybe it’s changed. I had to have receipts before I could submit the claim. I paid for accommodations, sent in all the documentation and waited, hoping for approval. I was reimbursed about three months later but there was no preapproval process. I just had to pay out a lot of money first and hope for reimbursement.
As someone who has had “renter’s insurance” in the US, I wouldn’t think it work. First, it is tied to your residence, not to moving around. Usually, your landlord is an “interested party” so it’s partly for damage to the apartment – not just your personal stuff. This could be useful for sits, but I don’t think it woud work. Also there are dedcutibles.
I would think if you are traveling some kind of traveler’s insurance would be more helpful.
@one-eyed_scallywag, just spotted your earlier comment. huh, curious policy. so it covers loss of possessions regardless of international location without travel duration or other restrictions? Does this policy primarily cover, perhaps even require, a permanent home base?
Ah, website states “Coverage is currently only available in select states [of USA].”
Real-life walk-through of successful claims of Sit Cancellation Insurance by two housesitters. Thank you @Cuttlefish and @Silversitters for the thorough information.
@one-eyed_scallywag, thanks for the useful info. Appreciated. Given seeming US resident requirement then not applicable for us. But can effortlessly see policy value for full-time US housesitter.
@systaran, i was trying to be helpful. Unclear if your experience was recent or some years ago. Or perhaps THS practices are variable (e.g. approval process impacted by specifics of cancellation). Perhaps THS terms, policy or practices changed. Provided examples were relatively recent. No matter. Cheers.
