Car insurance business use?

vienly

Hi all, can anyone tell me if car insurance 'business use' allows the transportation of goods for my employer? (Not delivering to customers or anything).

I can't find anything definative on the web and I've contacted my insurance company (Saga) and they said it's fine, I asked for a email of it and they only sent me a Policy booklet which doesn't contain any of the information I require.
I'm trying to get through to them again but I need to be absolutely certain. Saga doesn't specify any specific business class 1, 2 or 3 but just 'business use'.

I don't think I am after 'Commerical car insurance' as I am not a taxi driver, don't deliver goods to customers or race with the car. I do however transport goods from one place to another using my car.

Thanks

huckster

What goods are you transporting ?

I suspect that Saga are happy with what you described to them and it does not affect driving the car from one place to another or is any greater theft risk or would be considered a hazard.

The goods you are transporting are not covered. Your employer should have separate insurance.

vienly

Thanks huster, transporting manufactured clothing only.

I understand the goods are not covered, I found that bit in the policy book but it has no section in there about business use or anything which is worrying.

I asked Saga for it in writing that I am covered by both post and email but they only sent me a policy booklet which does not help.

huckster

All they are doing is basically saying is that you declared business use and your certificate of insurance allows you business use. The policy wording excludes any cover for business goods.

Not sure what you are expecting !

This is not a commercial policy, but simply a standard private car insurance policy, which covers you for the business use you advised them of.

If you want something specific in writing from them, then send them a letter describing the business use already advised and ask them to confirm that they are happy to continue cover as previously advised.

vienly

Thanks again, I'm not expecting them to cover any goods within the vehicle, that is something completely separate.

I have been reading a bit online about transportation and goods and everything seems to be conflicting information. What made it worst is business use class 2 and 3. Three (3) stating you need this specific insurance to transport goods however Saga doesn't specifically mention anything about business within their policy booklet.

I have specified to them that it is for business usage, and have sent them an email again to make sure.

forgotmyname

If you dont deliver goods why are you taking goods to the customers?

Samples that you bring back or do you leave them there?

vienly

The goods aren't going to customers, it's going from one place of business to another to be manufactured. Nothing is being sold.

Apologies for the confusion

eddddy

vienly wrote: »

I've contacted my insurance company (Saga) and they said it's fine,

They will have recorded the call, so keep a note of the date and time.

If you want a bit a extra 'comfort', write to them with proof of postage saying something like:

"Thank you for confirming in our telephone conversion on dd/mm/yy that my policy allows transportation of goods for my employer."

If you hear nothing, you can assume they have no objection. If they do object, they will contact you.

Frozen_up_north

Provided your business fits with the occupation you stated at the time you took out the policy, it should be OK. The policy wording will be something similar to "business use in connection with the policy holders trade or profession". Clearly if you are described as a filing clerk and transport manufactured goods from A to B on a daily basis, it might be an issue in the case of an accident.

My guess is that most domestic car insurance with "business use" expects that you will make occasional trips to cover staff shortages in a different office, attend the odd meeting, drop papers off at another office on your way home from work, etc. Regular transporting of manufactured goods seems to be something that should be done using a works van or car, not your own car on your personal insurance policy.

forgotmyname

Still sounds like delivering to me, maybe not to customers but delivering goods/items/stock from one location to another.

Does it need to be insured whilst in transit?

vienly

Thanks all, I confirmed with Saga again and they said it's not specified in the booklet as they can't cater for every customer but it is acceptable for me to use the car and pick up and transport goods.
They confirmed all calls are recorded and can reference back to it if needed, and they have noted it down on there system.

Apparently I have the top tier business class usage insurance, they only have 2 tiers.
It doesn't need to be insured whilst in transit.