Car Insurance - Business Use

Sleepysophie

I am using a private vehicle for the purpose of my employer's business in which I may transport other employees of the company or clients of the company in addition to me using my vehicle for private, social, domestic and commute. 
My employer has a policy which I have been told covers employees' private vehicles for business use. 
Does this mean I do not have to declare Business Use on my own policy? Or do I still need to do that? 

sevenhills

Sleepysophie said:

My employer has a policy which I have been told covers employees' private vehicles for business use. 
Does this mean I do not have to declare Business Use on my own policy? Or do I still need to do that? 

Seems like a very open-ended policy, are you and your cars details recorded on this policy?

400ixl

I would want to see the policy and certificate of insurance and have it in writing what it covers you for and to when.

How much will it cost to add the cover to your existing policy. Often it is next to nothing if you are not mobile selling on behalf of your business and it is just going to different office / customer sites for working.

Sleepysophie

@sevenhills no, I have only recently been asked for my reg. but that was for another reason. I have seen the policy document so I do know it exists and it is a reputable company but I feel like there is probably still a need for us to have Business Use registered with our own Insurance Companies and also for them to see sight of this and our MoT to ensure our cars are road worthy (and possibly even our licenses ?) 
I used to work in a management role many years ago and this would have been something I would have requested if I was responsible. However, this was 10+ years ago and I am returning to the workforce after being self employed for a decade.
I realise things have changed and I don't want to appear like I am trying to tell them their responsibilities when I am in a junior role now? But equally, I want to make sure I am not liable for any accidents or injury while I am at work if there were to be an accident and that other employees at my level are also protected from liability. 

Sleepysophie

400ixl said:

I would want to see the policy and certificate of insurance and have it in writing what it covers you for and to when.

How much will it cost to add the cover to your existing policy. Often it is next to nothing if you are not mobile selling on behalf of your business and it is just going to different office / customer sites for working.

thanks, I have seen the policy I just think there will be an expectation from the insurance company for the company to have confirmed that their employees are fit to drive (licenses with no or few points) and that each car has an MoT (if required) and Business Insurance? but I haven't been asked for any of them and I don't want there to be a loop hole in a claim (even though I am not predicting an accident!!) 

Hoenir

What's the nature of the business you work for? 

Is there a published company car policy? 

Are you remunerated for the use of your private vehicle while on company business? 

On the limited information you've provided I'd tread carefully. As potentially you will be at risk of voiding your own personal car insurance. As the vehicle is being used for business purposes. Something you've failed to declare. 

Sleepysophie

Hoenir said:

What's the nature of the business you work for? 

Is there a published company car policy? 

Are you remunerated for the use of your private vehicle while on company business? 

On the limited information you've provided I'd tread carefully. As potentially you will be at risk of voiding your own personal car insurance. As the vehicle is being used for business purposes. Something you've failed to declare. 

Don't worry, I am actually covered for BU as I am of the view that we should be and it hasn't cost me anything to be. But I wanted clarity as I really think my colleagues should also be aware of this but management are saying it is not necessary.
Maybe I should just keep out of it. 

DullGreyGuy

Sleepysophie said:

I am using a private vehicle for the purpose of my employer's business in which I may transport other employees of the company or clients of the company in addition to me using my vehicle for private, social, domestic and commute. 
My employer has a policy which I have been told covers employees' private vehicles for business use. 
Does this mean I do not have to declare Business Use on my own policy? Or do I still need to do that? 

In what context are you ferrying around colleagues and clients?

If its incidental and you are unpaid for it then Business may be fine but if you are making the trip specially to transport the person you then are in the territory of Hire & Reward not Business. 

If they have a top up policy then thats ok but if for some reason that policy fails then you'll be the one paying for the injuries of the person you accidentally ran over. Given business use is typically free or as near as -v- SDP&C then it's prudent to have it anyway in my opinion but it may not be enough given your passengers. 

sevenhills

DullGreyGuy said:

In what context are you ferrying around colleagues and clients?

If its incidental and you are unpaid for it then Business may be fine but if you are making the trip specially to transport the person you then are in the territory of Hire & Reward not Business. 

I would be interested to know how narrow policies are. If you are a gardener/plasterer and you get asked to take a passenger somewhere, would you be covered?

If no extra money is involved, surely that is not hire/reward?

DullGreyGuy

sevenhills said:

DullGreyGuy said:

In what context are you ferrying around colleagues and clients?

If its incidental and you are unpaid for it then Business may be fine but if you are making the trip specially to transport the person you then are in the territory of Hire & Reward not Business. 

I would be interested to know how narrow policies are. If you are a gardener/plasterer and you get asked to take a passenger somewhere, would you be covered?

If no extra money is involved, surely that is not hire/reward?

Would need to know more details.

Let's say Bob works in London but has to go up to Manchester for a meeting, will drive up early in the morning and the meeting starts at 10am. His colleague Colin is going to the same meeting and lives near by so Bob agrees to collect him on route. As he is using his own car and inline with HMRC guidelines his employer allows him to claim 45p/mile for driving and a further 10p/mile for Colin. This wouldnt be hire and reward.

Bob is at his desk doing his data entry job, his boss Jim asks Bob to stop what he's doing and please run Colin across to the Stratford office as the taxi hasn't turned up. He's told he can claim the 55p/mile for the way there/ 45p/mile on the way back. This would be hire and reward as Bob is solely going there to drive Colin and is being paid (via salary)