Motor Insurance for Small Business Policy Holder Problem

MattyDread

I run a small business which uses a van.  A couple of years ago, an employee (main driver on policy) reversed into a parked vehicle which resulted in a claim.  Following this, when it was time to renew, I couldn't get quotes from the usual places and the quotes I was getting from other companies was really expensive.  When I called the broker we used previously, it became apparent that the claim had been recorded against my name and so most insurers weren't providing a quote based on what they saw as an undisclosed claim (it was disclosed, under the employee's name).  I then spoke to the insurer that handled the claim and they told me that it had been recorded incorrectly but they've changed it so that the claim was against the employee.

I ended up renewing with the same provider that year.  The following year, it transpired that the same issue has persisted.  Having spoken to a few different call centre advisors the general consensus is that as the policy holder, I am indeed responsible for the claim... and I really don't understand how that works?  Not only do the practicalities of this make no sense (how do I complete the form to apply for quotes?), but surely this can't actually be the case?  Does every business that has a few vehicles on the road have a policy holder taking the hit every time there is a claim against one of their drivers? That can't possibly work surely?

I suppose my main questions are:
1. Have I set up the insurance incorrectly?  Should I not be the policy holder?  Is there another way of doing that?
2. Is there anything I can do to correct this situation? The insurer who logged the claim tell me the database has the employee down as the driver but there is still a link between that claim and my name; is that going to follow me for five years or however long it is you need to declare?

Advice much appreciated, thank you

cw8825

Unless you expect each driver to take out their own policy. It will always be recorded against the business (you)
it is your policy so the claim will be recorded and should be declared. 

Unless you provide a vehicle and the employee insured it them selves this will be the case 

MattyDread

Thank you for the reply, how can this be right though?  When I am filling in the form for a quote I add the claim under the employee's name; am I then supposed to enter the same claim under my name too?  It doesn't make sense. 

I find it hard to believe that a business could have a fleet of vehicles and whoever happens to be the one responsible for sorting the insurance out is then carrying the can for any claims any of them might be involved in?  They'd end up uninsurable

cw8825

All claims go against the policy
will only need to be there once
if your employee leaves. You still need to declare there was an accident 

The policy you have. 

Is it in your name like a normal policy with the employee as an additional driver?
is it in the name of the business with all drivers named?
Is it in the name of the business with no drivers named?

MattyDread

Having done a bit more digging it appears that the mistake I made is that the company should be the policy holder, not me personally.  Seems unlikely that I will get out from under this until the five year period has passed which sickens me, we are being absolutely rinsed

DullGreyGuy

MattyDread said:

Thank you for the reply, how can this be right though?  When I am filling in the form for a quote I add the claim under the employee's name; am I then supposed to enter the same claim under my name too?  It doesn't make sense. 

I find it hard to believe that a business could have a fleet of vehicles and whoever happens to be the one responsible for sorting the insurance out is then carrying the can for any claims any of them might be involved in?  They'd end up uninsurable

There won't be many sole traders with a fleet of vehicles, most will have incorporated well before then so the policyholder with be Flush Gorden Limited and so the claims registered won't be associated to the fleet manager or whoever deals with the purchasing of the policies. 

MattyDread

DullGreyGuy said:

MattyDread said:

Thank you for the reply, how can this be right though?  When I am filling in the form for a quote I add the claim under the employee's name; am I then supposed to enter the same claim under my name too?  It doesn't make sense. 

I find it hard to believe that a business could have a fleet of vehicles and whoever happens to be the one responsible for sorting the insurance out is then carrying the can for any claims any of them might be involved in?  They'd end up uninsurable

There won't be many sole traders with a fleet of vehicles, most will have incorporated well before then so the policyholder with be Flush Gorden Limited and so the claims registered won't be associated to the fleet manager or whoever deals with the purchasing of the policies. 

This is indeed the mistake I have made.