2 questions - works car insurance

mcclunyboy

Hi,

I have 2 questions I think I already know the answer to but I would like to be certain...

1. If you cause an accident using a vehicle insured by someone else, but with you as a named driver, do you need to let your own insurance company know?

2. If you cause an accident using an employers van, under their insurance policy, should you be expected to pay anything? The employer is currently asking for the excess (I could understand this) but any increase in premium due to the accident as well.

Thanks

InsideInsurance

1) Yes, as you've still had an accident

2) That is down to the relationship between you and your employer, in most cases it would only be the excess. Depending on the size of the employer they may make many claims a year in which case apportioning any changes in premium to a single diver would be very difficult but not to say it is impossible to do (or they dont apply a more flat rate rule)

kingstreet

I'd say any personal liability arising from an accident would have to be specified in a contract of employment, or terms & conditions for using a company vehicle.

Trying to charge when the employee had not been made aware of the potential for such a charge would be wrong, IMHO.

dacouch

If you post on the Employment forum on MSE, they will tell you the legalities of your employer expecting you to pay the excess which I suspect would be as per Kingstreet's post

thenudeone

1) probably only at renewal as part of the re-quote process (as there is no likelihood of a claim against them) and to any other insurer for 5 years.

2) deductions against wages for accidental damage to company property MAY be classed as an unlawful deduction from wages; it's more a employment matter than an insurance one.

forgotmyname

If an employer asked me for the policy excess i would tell them where to shove it.

Unless you did something deliberately.

Does the contract mention that and does it mention what the policy excess is?