Odd vehicle insurance question

Cleisthenes · 18 Jul 2016 at 14:35

So, bit of background...

I manage about 50 vehicles for the company I work for, and regularly manage the maintenance of these vehicles. Occasionally, I have to use a courtesy car from a garage to allow me to get back to the office but usually the garage (Ford) ask for a copy of our commercial motor insurance and that's fine, so goes onto our insurance and then would only be a £250 excess plus the Vat.

However, I'm needing to use a car on Thursday which is going to Nissan. They use their own insurance in these cases, when they give you a Note or a Micra. The insurance carries a £1350 excess. I believe I would be viable to take this hit if something happened, but obviously I'm not especially happy to put myself in this position.

What the normal protocol here? Do I just accept that I'll have to be extra careful or should my company step in somehow?

TIA

Rids · 18 Jul 2016 at 17:50

Can I just check that I understand the situation properly?

You're taking somebody else's company car to the garage for maintenance, and the garage will give you a courtesy car which you will only use to get back to the office (not for any personal / other work related use?)

If its as above, personally I'd expect the company to pay in the event of you wrapping it around a tree or whatever.

Cleisthenes · 19 Jul 2016 at 09:43

It's not a company car per se, but an engineer who uses the van for work purposes.

It will only be used to get me back to the office, a c. 20 minute journey.

The company I work for is quite hard with regards to drivers paying for the excess cost if it's their fault. Seems crazy expensive this £1350 to me.

Rids · 19 Jul 2016 at 10:39

I'd expect the company to pay any excess in that instance - whether it be on your policy or on the garages policy.

bscott · 19 Jul 2016 at 11:07

If it were me I would not take the risk.

What alternatives are there for getting back to the office from the garage?

Cleisthenes · 19 Jul 2016 at 11:08

bscott said:
If it were me I would not take the risk.

What alternatives are there for getting back to the office from the garage?

I'd have to try and find someone at the office who would be able to give me a lift back from the garage and then back there later on in the day

Hitman_Leon · 19 Jul 2016 at 11:08

I'd ask for clarification from the correct person in the company who handles the insurance and then request confirmation of your position in regard to your position with regard to the insurance in writing, just to be sure.

Cleisthenes · 19 Jul 2016 at 11:11

The problem is is that the company is family run, and my best mate is the grandson of the owners so they'll almost certainly say oh no you won't pay for that (and not put it in writing) or will say not to bother with the courtesy and just get a lift.

bscott · 19 Jul 2016 at 11:13

Cleisthenes said:
I'd have to try and find someone at the office who would be able to give me a lift back from the garage and then back there later on in the day

That is what I would do.

Hitman_Leon · 19 Jul 2016 at 11:15

Work and friendships can be awkward, I'd take a lift or ask them if they would cover a taxi fare.

Cleisthenes · 19 Jul 2016 at 11:20

Just spoke with the boss man, they agree that £1350 is ridiculous and they're going to allocate someone to give me a lift.

Thanks for the advice everyone

Haggisman · 21 Jul 2016 at 20:08

I see you've got this sorted, but if the situation were to arise in future, would hire car excess cover be applicable in these circumstances?