Business Miles NHS

throughtheblue

unforeseen said:

throughtheblue said:

unforeseen said:

Commuting normally covers a single place of work so business cover would be needed

That was my understanding. What happens if it was sporadic, say once per month?

If your employer is paying you mileage then you MUST have business insurance. The trust that I used to work for would insist on seeing the insurance cover before the first payment and annually after that

That's the case. The odd time I've covered I have parked at my base and got a train, or stayed at a colleagues, but it's not convenient if I need to cover more.

throughtheblue

Grumpy_chap said:

I agree with others that travel to a second work site would require business insurance.  It is often not expensive to add - have you asked your insurer?

Bobbobbobingalong said:

Business usage on your insurance
if there is a significant cost you should claim it as a business expense after all, you wouldn't have incurred it if it weren't for your employer. I

I disagree with the insurance uplift being separately claimable through work expenses. 

The employer pays a mileage rate which is deemed to cover all the costs of running a car for business, so that pence per mile rate already includes an allowance for the insurance (including any uplift for business use).

throughtheblue said:

the current enhanced rate is 61p, 

At that mileage rate, there will be a BIK income tax liability arising.

No - I'm a named driver, so I'll ask my partner to phone and I will explain the situation. I drive the car two days per week, she drives its the rest, and usually on weekends. My base and hers are on the same route, so no real issues there, but if Class 2 Business insurance only covers a named driver at the same place of work, then that makes it a bit trickier. 

Savvy_Sue

I used to check my colleagues had business insurance before paying mileage, and never saw a policy that didn't cover both the 'main' insured plus any named driver when business use was added. Also it was clear that it covered each individual's business needs, rather than both having to work at the same business. 

Usually added for a very modest amount. One colleague was told it would cost hundreds, because the vehicle was a van. They didn't claim mileage ... and I gave clear advice about the unwisdom of EVER using the van for anything other than commuting. We did pay bike mileage ... 

baser999

throughtheblue said:

unforeseen said:

Commuting normally covers a single place of work so business cover would be needed

That was my understanding. What happens if it was sporadic, say once per month?

My worry is that as soon as I change my insurance and then claim my expenses my manager will not want to pay out 36 pound a trip, when he can ask a few people closer that have 10 pound train expenses. Then I'll be left with more expensive insurance I won't end up needing.

It's a bit sad, but I feel like I know how his brain works with this stuff.

If they do decide to send someone else because they’re nearer/cheaper you won’t need the insurance, so cancel it

unforeseen

never saw a policy that didn't cover both the 'main' insured plus any named driver when business use was added.

In 15 years of contracting I have never had a policy that covered a named driver for business, only the policyholder. 

throughtheblue

unforeseen said:

never saw a policy that didn't cover both the 'main' insured plus any named driver when business use was added.

In 15 years of contracting I have never had a policy that covered a named driver for business, only the policyholder. 

This is what’s confusing, as what I’m reading online suggests this, that Class 2 business insurance would cover the names driver, but it’s expected that they have the same base of work as the main driver. 

It’s awkward as this is could be a twice monthly occurrence, so it’s really to be covered for a minimum amount of time. I did look at temp business cover for a day, but it’s £24, so not worth it. 

throughtheblue

Update:

I gave our insurance company a phone to ask them the hypothetical question. I would be covered on class 2 business insurance to work away from base, and they did say it can be different locations, so that's a plus. We'll make an amendment to the policy online later, and see if it drastically changes the premiums. 

baser999

unforeseen said:

never saw a policy that didn't cover both the 'main' insured plus any named driver when business use was added.

In 15 years of contracting I have never had a policy that covered a named driver for business, only the policyholder. 

My partner occasionally had to go from home to visit clients and so we had to add business use to our policy; she was already a named driver but hadn’t driven for years, was only on the policy for ‘emergencies’ in case I was ever not able to drive. Cost of adding business use was minimal

throughtheblue

Added it for a small admin fee of 13 pound coins. This covers me as the named driver, and the call handler said it covers me for multiple areas but I need to check that in the small print. 

Savvy_Sue

unforeseen said:

never saw a policy that didn't cover both the 'main' insured plus any named driver when business use was added.

In 15 years of contracting I have never had a policy that covered a named driver for business, only the policyholder. 

Well, the policies I have seen in this situation, the Named Driver has been my colleague and the Insured their partner / Significant Other. 

So presumably when they have asked to have it added, they have made it clear that cover was needed for ND as well as Insured. 

(The best one I saw had my colleague and a.n.other as NDs, and the cover was for the Insured and spouse of the Insured. I checked: my colleague was not married, and the other ND was not a spouse either. I sent them away to get their cover confirmed in writing.)

Glad the OP has been able to sort it out for a reasonable price.