One off commute on a classic policy

[shed driver]

I've got a classic policy which doesn't allow use for commuting. I have booked it to have some work done on what was originally my day off however staff shortages mean I'm going to have to go to work. I can nip out of work and drop the car off with the specialist and then pick it up after work.

Would this count as commuting? My insurance company wants at least £30 for a change.

SD.

[FHCNICK]

I believe that would be classed as commuting, I cannot think how it wouldn't be unfortunately.

[Rushjob]

Does this policy cover this driver driving this car on this road at this time for this purpose?

All in the affirmative, happy days you're insured.

In this case

That'd be a no then.......

[anonymous-user]

surely you are driving from home to the specialist and then walking to work?

[shed driver]

I thought so, sadly I will have to spend almost half the cost of my policy for this one journey!

SD.

[meb90]

How far is work/the specialist?

Could you drop the car off the day before, commute in the usual car and then collect the classic later?

[sixor8]

You could just risk it. Or how about driving it down to the workshop or close to it the night before and parking close by, putting keys through the letterbox? I've done this.

That wouldn't be commuting in it, but of course if it's a high theft risk area, maybe not. You'd need to get home again too, bus? Train?

[Riley Blue]

JimSuperSix said:

surely you are driving from home to the specialist and then walking to work?

You are not driving from home to work and vice-versa so that's how I interpret it.

[Yellow Lizud]

If you can pick it after work, then surely you can drop it off before work?

All you're doing is taking the car to the garage and collecting it again later, unless I'm missing something I can't see what the problem is.

[shed driver]

I have to be at work well before the garage opens and it's too far to leave it and walk back. The area isn't the best either!

One of my colleagues would follow me down and be able to pick me up and return me to the garage in the evening.

It looks like I'll be paying the £30 fee for piece of mind.

SD.

[Dingu]

Riley Blue said:

JimSuperSix said:

surely you are driving from home to the specialist and then walking to work?

You are not driving from home to work and vice-versa so that's how I interpret it.

Commuting could be needed if doing part of the journey to work by car, E.g., to a train station to then get a train, so I wouldn’t be too sure about that interpretation.

[pocketspring]

Cant you take it the night before and ask them to store it in the garage for you over night?

[Mikebentley]

Uber?

[dvs_dave]

How is this commuting and not just taking it to a garage? Additionally how would it ever be proved you were “commuting” and not taking it to a pre-arranged garage appointment?

Commuting is the regular use of said vehicle to transport you on a regular basis to and from your normal place(s) of work. Not a one off trip to the garage, that purely for convenience (as you can’t drive two cars at once!) means you stopping off at work on the way due to the timing of the available appointment.

[BertBert]

OP is going to work like he usually does. That's commuting. What else can it be?

[dvs_dave]

One of many dictionary definitions specifies “on a regular basis”, or similar. This vehicle is not being used to travel to and from work on a regular basis. It’s a one off trip via his workplace in support of the regular upkeep of the vehicle. It’s ridiculous to suggest otherwise.

[Riley Blue]

Dingu said:

Riley Blue said:

JimSuperSix said:

surely you are driving from home to the specialist and then walking to work?

You are not driving from home to work and vice-versa so that's how I interpret it.

Commuting could be needed if doing part of the journey to work by car, E.g., to a train station to then get a train, so I wouldn’t be too sure about that interpretation.

I'm sure many people who may not drive to work on a regular basis have dropped off their car for a service once in while and picked it up on the way home. That's not commuting in it.

[Turbobanana]

Does th £30 charge mean you can commute in it for the remainder of the policy?

If so, I'd pay it.

[Cat]

dvs_dave said:

One of many dictionary definitions specifies “on a regular basis”, or similar. This vehicle is not being used to travel to and from work on a regular basis. It’s a one off trip via his workplace in support of the regular upkeep of the vehicle. It’s ridiculous to suggest otherwise.

What is ridiculous is to suggest that because the OP is using a different vehicle than usual to get to work then their journey is not commuting. The OP regularly travels from home to their place of work therefore by the definition you have posted that journey is commuting - the vehicle or method of transport used doesn't alter tha fact that the journey is commuting.

Cat

[boombang]

dvs_dave said:

One of many dictionary definitions specifies “on a regular basis”, or similar. This vehicle is not being used to travel to and from work on a regular basis. It’s a one off trip via his workplace in support of the regular upkeep of the vehicle. It’s ridiculous to suggest otherwise.

That definition does not align with the clear definition of commuting in my insurance documents, and unless unfair the insurance document is the source of truth.

I added commuting onto my classic policy for precisely the OPs reason and it cost £0. £30 sounds close to an admin fee, if that is with the usual insurer it might be the same case here.

Edit just looked up the precise wording:

"including travel between the driver's home and permanent place of work."

My standard road policy says:
"Covered for social, domestic and pleasure use, including commuting to a single place of work, provided no business visits are made on the way."

Nothing to do with frequency.

Edited by boombang on Friday 24th March 08:09