Do I need to get business insurance?

[KnittingForMittens]

I do some ironing for a couple of clients and I also deliver and collect as it isn't out of my way and it gives me more potential clients that way. I always do it either on my way to work or on my way back from work so I'm not actually doing it on a daily basis. Would I still need to get business insurance because of this? It's actually on my way home from work so I would end up going that way anyway as it is all in the same town. Probably a daft Q I know but if it is not necessary then I wouldn't need to bother ringing and paying extra premiums. Thanks in advance.

[bluebluezoo]

I think you need to consider what you’d do if something happened and you needed to replace/compensate.

Firstly do you have any sort of contract which deals with loss or damage? What happens if a client claims they gave you a pair of gaultier trousers and you haven’t returned them? Is there a max value per item you take?

If I’ve read right and clients clothes are in your car while you’re at work, if it gets broken into your car insurance won’t cover it. What if your house gets burgled, there’s a fire, or you simply accidentally spill, damage with the iron, whatever?

Think worst case and if you can afford to cover from your own pocket. Including possible legal expenses. If not, yes you need business insurance.

[MikeUniformMike]

You should get it. Car insurance is usually not much more to cover business use. I usually add it to mine because I sometimes make business journeys.

[MikeUniformMike]

I recently started a new job. Like most positions, it is subject to a probationary period.
Job is ok apart from I haven't enough to do. I am scrabbling around most days looking for just something to keep me occupied, and mainly failing.
I have been there a few weeks now and despite asking for more work very little has come my way. There are things that I could do if I had access to and input from a few very busy people but they don't reply to my e-mails, calls or skype.
I find that my confidence is plummetting.
The work is there but not ready for me yet - I'm sort of the last person in the chain for it.

Can you advise please? Do I just stick it out and hope it improves. I have already spoken to my line manager.

[pinknsparkly]

I agree you need business insurance for the above reasons, but I would also think that if you want to claim mileage on your tax return then you would need to have business insurance in order to do this.

[MikeUniformMike]

So that's where that went! Sorry for posting on the wrong thread.

[KnittingForMittens]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

@MikeUniformMike no worries