Personal Car Use for work purposes

Chip1996

Hi All,

As you can see from the above title, I was just wondering if work can force me to use my personal car for work purposes. I am in an office based job that as part of the job requires a site visit or two every so often. I have mentioned that my car is not insured for business use many times. I was told to then add it on, but it would be at my cost?(costing me £200 per year) I was also told that I can't claim back any mileage if I did go to site, because my car isn't insured for business use. So I am pretty stuck.

I have been refused a company car and work do not have any pool cars.

Can they force me to use my personal car to do the jobs if I am not insured?
I have checked my contract and it doesn't mention anything about using my own car for my job.

I don't know where I stand especially if I am having to cover the cost of business insurance off my own back.



Thanks

Sandy75

Why £200? It's about £15 for me P.a

No, they can't force you. But they can make life difficult for you.

Chip1996

Hi ,

Thanks for responding. I think it may be that I'm a young driver , I've looked at various quotes and contacted the insurer. And they are all around the same cost with business cover added on.

nicechap

Assuming this is not another dilemma from our returning AI/bot;

How long have you worked there?

How much mileage do they pay (covering your entire vehicle running costs)?

How will you fulfill the requirements of your job if you don!t use your car?

Why should they employ you if you refuse to do the job they want doing?

theoretica

Some insurers don't charge any extra, Direct Line didn't for me and might be worth a quote.

What mileage and mileage rate would you be getting from work? Part of this payment is supposed to repay you for additional business insurance costs.

zagfles

No they can't force you to use your car, unless your contract says you have to provide a car.

Don't even think of driving on business without business insurance. Not only would you be liable for possibly massive costs if any accident but also if you get caught 6 points plus if you've been driving for less than 2 years lose your licence and have to retake your test.

Is there no way to get there by public transport?

A_Nice_Englishman

How about a hire car or taxi, claiming the cost back as expenses?

jobbingmusician

£200 is quite expensive for an add on, but isn't actually very much money, IYSWIM. Why not ask your employer to loan you the money, repayable out of salary over a year (your expenses for using the car should cover it, shouldn't they?)

Savvy_Sue

How long have you worked there?

What do your terms and conditions say about use of a car?

Have you approached a broker for help with the insurance issue?

And as above, how hard to get there by other means? Would a bike help, for example?

Chip1996

I have worked there for two years. But only recently have people been asking me to go out.

In terms of mileage they pay back less than 20p.
But I can't claim this as I don't have the business insurance.

I understand £200 isn't a lot, but why should I have to pay it? It leaves me out of pocket.

FBaby

As already said, you need to look around for better deals. Of course it seems silly to pay an extra £200 for a few visits, but can you evidence that you've really looked to see if you could get cheaper insurance?

If not, ask to meet your boss and show him all the quotes that you've got and how you really don't mind using your car to go to sites as required by the business, but you don't know what to do in terms of business cover as it would leave you X out of pocket and is there any way the company could help in that regards.

No point of being defensive or outrage by a request that is totally reasonable. Issues need discussing or negotiating.