Lack of business insurance

[Nibbles_bits]

I don't have business insurance, just SDP including commuting to a single place of work.

I work in location A. All of my equipment is stored there and without my 4th line manager's permission I'm not allowed to take that equipment home with me.

I'm looking to volunteer for overtime at location B. To do this work I need my equipment (stored at A).

Newer members of staff are telling me that in their training they have been told that they can't transport this equipment in their own vehicles unless they have business insurance. With it being said that the equipment isn't covered by SDP(&c).
I've not heard of this, and it seems to be overlooked by my employer when it suits them. (Expected bad weather "take equipment home and work from nearest location" whether you have business insurance or not).

So -
My thoughts are, based on the above, if I travel to location A, I have commuted to a single place of work.
It's then my employer's responsibility to manage my travel to location B because I don't have business insurance (even if I've volunteered for the overtime).

Edited by Nibbles_bits on Sunday 14th December 16:19

[QBee]

Nibbles_bits said:

I don't have business insurance, just SDP including commuting to a single place of work.

I work in location A. All of my equipment is stored there and without my 4th line manager's permission I'm not allowed to take that equipment home with me.

I'm looking to volunteer for overtime at location B. To do this work I need my equipment (stored at A).

Newer members of staff are telling me that in their training they have been told that they can't transport this equipment in their own vehicles unless they have business insurance. With it being said that the equipment isn't covered by SDP(&c).
I've not heard of this, and it seems to be overlooked by my employer when it suits them. (Expected bad weather "take equipment home and work from nearest location).

So -
My thoughts are, based on the above, if I travel to location A, I have commuted to a single place of work.
It's then my employer's responsibility to manage my travel to location B because I don't have business insurance (even if I've volunteered for the overtime).

I cannot speak for all insurers, but I have always had cover for use of the car in connection with my business (I am an accountant working from home) and it has never caused an increased premium.
The only reason yours might be different to mione is because the carriage of tools might increase the risk of theft or damage to the vehicle.
I suggest you ask your insurer the straight question, rather than take the risk and thus risk being uninsured.

There have been a number of police TV programs recently (Traffic Cops etc) where they police have stopped a vehicle for a random check, or because of a fault with the lights, and the smell of several delivery bags of pizza has brought about a fine and points for driving while uninsured.
Worst still if they are attending an accident in which you are involved and realise the car is full of your tools, so invalidating your insurance in the event of an accident.
Of course the fact that your tools don't smell of pizza might work in your favour.......

[Sporky]

I'd check what the extra cost is. I'd guess it's not much, and I wouldn't want to not have the cover.

[Inbox]

Not sure of the details but what you do not want to do is take responsibility for the equipment you are carrying for loss or damage. Obviously look after it but not carry the can if it got stolen or damaged in an accident.

You should confirm to your employer that you or your car insurer has no insurable interest in the kit you are carrying on behalf of your employer i.e. it is your employers kit and they are responsible for insuring it. GET THIS IS WRITING as it is important.

I used to carry a lot of kit around for work including kit that would cost >£1M to replace, the kit was covered by the companies insurance policy and nothing to do with me if something happened to it when it was outside the office. My responsibility was ensuring my car was covered for business use (class 1) as I was claiming mileage expenses.

[Inbox]

Adding class 1 business insurance is usually very cheap, you would be surprised.

[BlackTails]

As above: speak direct to the insurer.

I have SDP & commuting. My commute is home to A and back.

Recently I had to drive with what could be classed as tools of my trade to B where I would have to work for a bit. Fairly obviously not commuting.

My insurer said that as long as I didn’t go from work to A and then to B in the same day, it was fine. I’m doubtful that that is what commuting means - it seems to me it means travelling from home to a single regular place of work, and not home to any number of different places of work, but that is what the insurer said.

I’m pretty sure that may years ago I asked the same question of a different insurer and was told that commuting meant home to A and only A, but if I when home to B only very occasionally it would be ok. Which sounds even more wrong.

Speak to the insurer; get their answer on their recording system and writ it down.

[Nibbles_bits]

Thanks for the replies.

Taking away the carriage of equipment.

What are people thoughts on the travelling between locations A and B?

[Inbox]

Nibbles_bits said:

Thanks for the replies.

Taking away the carriage of equipment.

What are people thoughts on the travelling between locations A and B?

Class 1 business add-on should cover that but talk to your insurer about it!

They are requesting business insurance because it covers their arse but you need to make sure what you get covers yours!

[Nibbles_bits]

QBee said:

Nibbles_bits said:

I don't have business insurance, just SDP including commuting to a single place of work.

I work in location A. All of my equipment is stored there and without my 4th line manager's permission I'm not allowed to take that equipment home with me.

I'm looking to volunteer for overtime at location B. To do this work I need my equipment (stored at A).

Newer members of staff are telling me that in their training they have been told that they can't transport this equipment in their own vehicles unless they have business insurance. With it being said that the equipment isn't covered by SDP(&c).
I've not heard of this, and it seems to be overlooked by my employer when it suits them. (Expected bad weather "take equipment home and work from nearest location).

So -
My thoughts are, based on the above, if I travel to location A, I have commuted to a single place of work.
It's then my employer's responsibility to manage my travel to location B because I don't have business insurance (even if I've volunteered for the overtime).

I cannot speak for all insurers, but I have always had cover for use of the car in connection with my business (I am an accountant working from home) and it has never caused an increased premium.
The only reason yours might be different to mione is because the carriage of tools might increase the risk of theft or damage to the vehicle.
I suggest you ask your insurer the straight question, rather than take the risk and thus risk being uninsured.

There have been a number of police TV programs recently (Traffic Cops etc) where they police have stopped a vehicle for a random check, or because of a fault with the lights, and the smell of several delivery bags of pizza has brought about a fine and points for driving while uninsured.
Worst still if they are attending an accident in which you are involved and realise the car is full of your tools, so invalidating your insurance in the event of an accident.
Of course the fact that your tools don't smell of pizza might work in your favour.......

If I get stopped by the police and prosecuted for not having business insurance......that would be very awkward.

The equipment in question is an offensive weapon and a Sec 5 firearm

[Nibbles_bits]

Inbox said:

Adding class 1 business insurance is usually very cheap, you would be surprised.

Oh I'm sure it is.

But should I have to pay extra for business insurance, when it only benefits my employer?
(Regardless of the cost).

[Inbox]

Nibbles_bits said:

QBee said:

Nibbles_bits said:

I don't have business insurance, just SDP including commuting to a single place of work.

I work in location A. All of my equipment is stored there and without my 4th line manager's permission I'm not allowed to take that equipment home with me.

I'm looking to volunteer for overtime at location B. To do this work I need my equipment (stored at A).

Newer members of staff are telling me that in their training they have been told that they can't transport this equipment in their own vehicles unless they have business insurance. With it being said that the equipment isn't covered by SDP(&c).
I've not heard of this, and it seems to be overlooked by my employer when it suits them. (Expected bad weather "take equipment home and work from nearest location).

So -
My thoughts are, based on the above, if I travel to location A, I have commuted to a single place of work.
It's then my employer's responsibility to manage my travel to location B because I don't have business insurance (even if I've volunteered for the overtime).

I cannot speak for all insurers, but I have always had cover for use of the car in connection with my business (I am an accountant working from home) and it has never caused an increased premium.
The only reason yours might be different to mione is because the carriage of tools might increase the risk of theft or damage to the vehicle.
I suggest you ask your insurer the straight question, rather than take the risk and thus risk being uninsured.

There have been a number of police TV programs recently (Traffic Cops etc) where they police have stopped a vehicle for a random check, or because of a fault with the lights, and the smell of several delivery bags of pizza has brought about a fine and points for driving while uninsured.
Worst still if they are attending an accident in which you are involved and realise the car is full of your tools, so invalidating your insurance in the event of an accident.
Of course the fact that your tools don't smell of pizza might work in your favour.......

If I get stopped by the police and prosecuted for not having business insurance......that would be very awkward.

The equipment in question is an offensive weapon and a Sec 5 firearm

The equipment irrespective of what it is still has an intrinsic replacement value that is a risk your car insurer hasn't accepted or been paid to accept so is not covered.

[Sheepshanks]

BlackTails said:

I m pretty sure that may years ago I asked the same question of a different insurer and was told that commuting meant home to A and only A, but if I when home to B only very occasionally it would be ok. Which sounds even more wrong.

Admiral Group say commuting is to a single place per day.

Someone took them to FOS as he discovered after 10yrs he didn't need business cover!

[Sheepshanks]

Nibbles_bits said:

Oh I'm sure it is.

But should I have to pay extra for business insurance, when it only benefits my employer?
(Regardless of the cost).

Will you be paid mileage for the travel from A to B?

[Inbox]

Nibbles_bits said:

Inbox said:

Adding class 1 business insurance is usually very cheap, you would be surprised.

Oh I'm sure it is.

But should I have to pay extra for business insurance, when it only benefits my employer?
(Regardless of the cost).

You are quibbling over that?

You are the one who wants extra work to earn more money at a different site, the extra cover is an employer requirement but it does actually benefit you directly because it enables you to do the extra work.

[Nibbles_bits]

Inbox said:

Nibbles_bits said:

QBee said:

Nibbles_bits said:

I don't have business insurance, just SDP including commuting to a single place of work.

I work in location A. All of my equipment is stored there and without my 4th line manager's permission I'm not allowed to take that equipment home with me.

I'm looking to volunteer for overtime at location B. To do this work I need my equipment (stored at A).

Newer members of staff are telling me that in their training they have been told that they can't transport this equipment in their own vehicles unless they have business insurance. With it being said that the equipment isn't covered by SDP(&c).
I've not heard of this, and it seems to be overlooked by my employer when it suits them. (Expected bad weather "take equipment home and work from nearest location).

So -
My thoughts are, based on the above, if I travel to location A, I have commuted to a single place of work.
It's then my employer's responsibility to manage my travel to location B because I don't have business insurance (even if I've volunteered for the overtime).

I cannot speak for all insurers, but I have always had cover for use of the car in connection with my business (I am an accountant working from home) and it has never caused an increased premium.
The only reason yours might be different to mione is because the carriage of tools might increase the risk of theft or damage to the vehicle.
I suggest you ask your insurer the straight question, rather than take the risk and thus risk being uninsured.

There have been a number of police TV programs recently (Traffic Cops etc) where they police have stopped a vehicle for a random check, or because of a fault with the lights, and the smell of several delivery bags of pizza has brought about a fine and points for driving while uninsured.
Worst still if they are attending an accident in which you are involved and realise the car is full of your tools, so invalidating your insurance in the event of an accident.
Of course the fact that your tools don't smell of pizza might work in your favour.......

If I get stopped by the police and prosecuted for not having business insurance......that would be very awkward.

The equipment in question is an offensive weapon and a Sec 5 firearm

The equipment irrespective of what it is still has an intrinsic replacement value that is a risk your car insurer hasn't accepted or been paid to accept so is not covered.

I think the employer saying I need business insurance to transport the equipment is a bit of a red herring in this scenario and is only told to new employees to stop them taking the said equipment home without permission.

Like I said, the need for business insurance has never been mentioned to me or those that started before me. And is never mentioned when it suits the employer for me to transport the equipment or other equipment.
It's not mentioned when I'm informed that I'm able to work from home and subsequently need to take other equipment home.

As an example -
I a communication device. I'm responsible for charging this device and have to take it home because I can't leave it charging and insecure at my place of work.
If I was involved in an accident and this device were lost or damaged, it would still need replacing ......yet I'm not told (any never have been) that I need business insurance to carry this device.

[Nibbles_bits]

Sheepshanks said:

Nibbles_bits said:

Oh I'm sure it is.

But should I have to pay extra for business insurance, when it only benefits my employer?
(Regardless of the cost).

Will you be paid mileage for the travel from A to B?

Would need to check this.

Again, being told you can only claim the mileage if you have business insurance.

[Nibbles_bits]

Inbox said:

Nibbles_bits said:

Inbox said:

Adding class 1 business insurance is usually very cheap, you would be surprised.

Oh I'm sure it is.

But should I have to pay extra for business insurance, when it only benefits my employer?
(Regardless of the cost).

You are quibbling over that?

You are the one who wants extra work to earn more money at a different site, the extra cover is an employer requirement but it does actually benefit you directly because it enables you to do the extra work.

It's not a direct employer requirement. It's what people are saying us required, with little in the way of backing it up.

It's actually not in my benefit. If I need business insurance and don't have it, I'll travel to location A, book on, and then travel to location B and then back to location A and book off.
The cost of that extra time, the insured vehicle, l and the fuel is to the taxpayer.
In doing this, I'll take a vehicle out of service, which will have an impact on the taxpayer.

[Sporky]

Nibbles_bits said:

But should I have to pay extra for business insurance, when it only benefits my employer?

It benefits you, in that it enables you to earn the overtime.

[Sheepshanks]

Nibbles_bits said:

Again, being told you can only claim the mileage if you have business insurance.

Yes, was going to make that point - even if there is an extra cost it might pay for itself.

As others have suggested though, it shouldn't add much. Teacher daughter has it as she visits other schools now again - her premium went down £15 when she changed it.

[Inbox]

Nibbles_bits said:

Inbox said:

Nibbles_bits said:

QBee said:

Nibbles_bits said:

I don't have business insurance, just SDP including commuting to a single place of work.

I work in location A. All of my equipment is stored there and without my 4th line manager's permission I'm not allowed to take that equipment home with me.

I'm looking to volunteer for overtime at location B. To do this work I need my equipment (stored at A).

Newer members of staff are telling me that in their training they have been told that they can't transport this equipment in their own vehicles unless they have business insurance. With it being said that the equipment isn't covered by SDP(&c).
I've not heard of this, and it seems to be overlooked by my employer when it suits them. (Expected bad weather "take equipment home and work from nearest location).

So -
My thoughts are, based on the above, if I travel to location A, I have commuted to a single place of work.
It's then my employer's responsibility to manage my travel to location B because I don't have business insurance (even if I've volunteered for the overtime).

I cannot speak for all insurers, but I have always had cover for use of the car in connection with my business (I am an accountant working from home) and it has never caused an increased premium.
The only reason yours might be different to mione is because the carriage of tools might increase the risk of theft or damage to the vehicle.
I suggest you ask your insurer the straight question, rather than take the risk and thus risk being uninsured.

There have been a number of police TV programs recently (Traffic Cops etc) where they police have stopped a vehicle for a random check, or because of a fault with the lights, and the smell of several delivery bags of pizza has brought about a fine and points for driving while uninsured.
Worst still if they are attending an accident in which you are involved and realise the car is full of your tools, so invalidating your insurance in the event of an accident.
Of course the fact that your tools don't smell of pizza might work in your favour.......

If I get stopped by the police and prosecuted for not having business insurance......that would be very awkward.

The equipment in question is an offensive weapon and a Sec 5 firearm

The equipment irrespective of what it is still has an intrinsic replacement value that is a risk your car insurer hasn't accepted or been paid to accept so is not covered.

I think the employer saying I need business insurance to transport the equipment is a bit of a red herring in this scenario and is only told to new employees to stop them taking the said equipment home without permission.

Like I said, the need for business insurance has never been mentioned to me or those that started before me. And is never mentioned when it suits the employer for me to transport the equipment or other equipment.
It's not mentioned when I'm informed that I'm able to work from home and subsequently need to take other equipment home.

As an example -
I a communication device. I'm responsible for charging this device and have to take it home because I can't leave it charging and insecure at my place of work.
If I was involved in an accident and this device were lost or damaged, it would still need replacing ......yet I'm not told (any never have been) that I need business insurance to carry this device.

People are obviously wasting their time replying to you, it doesn't matter what did or did not get said before or after or to who, you know what you need now, get over it.