Magistrating is a business?

philhuff

Talking to a magistrate friend of mine, I was surprised to learn that he's had to insure his car for business use as he drives to and from the court. I'd have assumed that it wouldn't count as business use, being a voluntary position, but then it's not really SD&P either. Commuting cover wouldn't suffice, as it could be different courts and therefore not a single place of work.

Anybody know of the best (i.e. cheapest) way of insuring for that risk?

inspector_monkfish

philhuff wrote: »

Talking to a magistrate friend of mine, I was surprised to learn that he's had to insure his car for business use as he drives to and from the court. I'd have assumed that it wouldn't count as business use, being a voluntary position, but then it's not really SD&P either. Commuting cover wouldn't suffice, as it could be different courts and therefore not a single place of work.

Anybody know of the best (i.e. cheapest) way of insuring for that risk?

how do u become a magistrate?

philhuff

I have no idea - I've never asked.

soolin

You just apply and then go through a series of interviews to prove your committment and availability for the position. There are usually adverts in libraries or public places but if not phone your local court and ask them for a pack.

The minimum committment is 26 half days a year (which can be up to 5-6 hours a go) plus all the training days and other paperwork and committees. Employers usually assist a magistrate in fulfilling these attendance requirements, but they do not pay a person while they are not at work and most working magistrate usually either use a flexi system at work or else use their annual holiday entitlement.

When applying though you must be careful to declare every single encounter with the law that you have ever had, including things like points on your license.

vikingaero

First step would be to contact the existing Insurer to see if they will cover it. I drive as a volunteer driver once a fortnight for a local volunteer bureau and I normally take old folk to events/dances/evenings or hospital appointments. I informed my Insurer and my Policy was endorsed to confirm cover at no extra charge. I receive a renumeration from the volunteer bureau dependent on mileage and this just about covers the petrol costs.

thescouselander

I insure my car for occasional business use as I often use my own car if I need to go to a meeting at an office that isn't far enough away to justify the use of a hire car.

If you are only doing relitively few business miles it should be possible to get business use cover at no additional cost - I have never had to pay extra anyway. I'd give your insurance company a call and ask then if they will offer cover at no extra cost. Make sure you explain your situation clearly - if they think you're a travelling salesman or something they will want to charge you extra.

Conor_3

I work for an employment agency and as I'm not at the same place all the time, I have to have mine insured for business use. It's because the "commuting" part of "social, domestic and commuting" refers to a single place of work.

Class A business use is usually free on most policies.

Wig

So if you are asked to go on a training seminar and your employer expects you to drive there and may or may not give you mileage allowance, that would be seen as business use? I didn't know that.