Accident in company vehicle

JadeKyle100

Hiya,

Not entirely sure if this is the correct section to post in as this is my first post..

I work as a home carer, caring for people in their own homes on behalf of a company. On my way in on Wednesday when the snow came down particularly heavy I had a phone call telling me to go and pick up the compan 4x4 and leave my work car at the office, which I did.

I used the vehicle all day and then into Thursday with no issue. On my way to return the vehicle to the office I slipped on ice on a residential road and managed to slide into a fence - crushing the fence and front panels on the 4x4.

When I told work what had happened they told me to see if it's cheaper for me to go through my insurance or pay for the work to be done seperately.. I got in touch with someone who I know fixes cars and he told me it could cost up to £1000! That's more than my monthly part-time salary!

When I mentioned this to my Manager, stating theres no way I can afford this, she said "oh we'll set up a monthly payment plan"

Does this seem fair, because it really doesn't feel like it, especially as I didn't ask to use the 4x4, there was no pre-warning that damage would cost me, and seeing as I was one of very few battling for miles across the snow to carry out my job of looking after others.

On my own car I'm fully comp, driving another takes it down to third party only - which my work knew about.

Surely they claim through their own business insurance?

jobbingmusician

My gut feeling is that the company 4 x 4 should be insured by the company for their employees to drive. If you were asked to drive it, there is NO WAY that you should suddenly be expected to provide the insurance for this vehicle! Was insurance discussed at all when you were asked to drive the vehicle? You say that your work knew that your own insurance would provide only 3rd party cover.

I'm absolutely not an expert, but I agree with you - they should claim through their own business insurance.

How long have you worked there? I ask in a worried tone of voice, because any scummy employer who suddenly expects YOU to pay THEIR insurance bill is the sort of scummy employer who might try to get rid of you if you rock the boat.

JadeKyle100

That's correct as I actually was without a car for a couple days last month and asked to use it - which is when they asked whether I would be allowed to drive it by my insurers. I had to sign a document about use of the 4x4 and can't remember reading any part about damage to it.

I've worked there for over a year now and they're normally great people to work for - so their response to this shocked me and I'm wondering whether they are unfamiliar of the procedure given that this is the first incident to occur like this.

When it happened I just assumed I was responsible, but having spoke to others nearly all have said that it should be the companys responsibility to fix it, not mine..

jobbingmusician

I think they should have given you a copy of the document you signed - ask them for a copy now! I suppose it may be that this included an agreement that you would insure the vehicle (but with any luck it didn't.......)

In any case, it's not clear that the document you signed when they lent you the vehicle because you asked to use it while your car was unavailable would apply when THEY asked you to use it (presumably because of snow?)

Queenbean

If you were asked to drive the company car then they should go through there business insurance to cover the repairs.

Katapolt

they should have fleet insurance, or if they only have the one vehicle it should be covered under company insurance.

definitely not your insurance! dont let them bully you

Kayalana99

JadeKyle100 wrote: »

That's correct as I actually was without a car for a couple days last month and asked to use it - which is when they asked whether I would be allowed to drive it by my insurers. I had to sign a document about use of the 4x4 and can't remember reading any part about damage to it.

I've worked there for over a year now and they're normally great people to work for - so their response to this shocked me and I'm wondering whether they are unfamiliar of the procedure given that this is the first incident to occur like this.

When it happened I just assumed I was responsible, but having spoke to others nearly all have said that it should be the companys responsibility to fix it, not mine..

Ah...this is now much more complicated. So they asked you if you were insured to drive it through YOUR insurance, it sounds like you've said yes? Some insurance companies let you drive other cars so it's a valid question but unlikely to be allowed if it comes under Business use (that said was it actually for the Business or transport to and from work? That might mean your insurance validates it..?!)


I think there response is actually reasonable considering they have let you use the 4x4 on the basis you are covered under your own car insurance..I mean why else would they ask you if you are insured to drive it, if in the event of an accident you would use there's? I know it seems unfair but you did agree to this before hand...

lincroft1710

You might find you are only covered for 3rd party losses when you drive a car not owned by you on your insurance. In other words any damage you cause to other vehicles/property etc is covered, but damage to the vehicle you are driving is not.

littleboo

As above, your insurance will probably only provide 3rd party cover for another vehicle. What was said about insurance when you asked to use the vehicle previously? It would be foolish of them to let it be driven on a 3rd party policy as if the vehicle was written off by you, they would be reliant on you being able to pay the full costs of a replacement.

Wee_bri

You'll surely be insured with the company's insurance rather than going through your own?
have you ever handed in a copy of your licence etc. to them?
for them to allow you to drive a vehicle of theirs without insuring you I'd say that's a breach of their duty of care. and likewise if they allowed you to drive their vehicle under the assumption that you were insuring yourself without having proof from you that you were actually insured at all.
I'd not be paying it nor putting it though my insurance

John-K_3

Wee_bri wrote: »

You'll surely be insured with the company's insurance rather than going through your own?
have you ever handed in a copy of your licence etc. to them?
for them to allow you to drive a vehicle of theirs without insuring you I'd say that's a breach of their duty of care. and likewise if they allowed you to drive their vehicle under the assumption that you were insuring yourself without having proof from you that you were actually insured at all.
I'd not be paying it nor putting it though my insurance

If you are going to invent a duty of care, why not go one further and invent a duty for the company to also buy them a new puppy and a slap-up meal?