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Original poster

Mileage and travel for work

88 replies

ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 18:45

Just Realised I don't have business insurance and wanted to make a claim for work mileage. Can't do it because I need business insurance. I sometimes travel to one office so use commuting insurance. Sometimes to another office within a couple of miles and insurance stated it was ok.

However I've been travelling miles for work this week and now I think I'll be trouble for work.

I'm not Required to have a car for work, don't get an allowance and have agile contract.

Will I be in trouble?

I accept I've just wasted a tank of petrol with my travel.

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 22:37

Oh God I f-ed up. I'm in so much trouble

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 22:35

JaceLancs · 03/07/2025 22:17

We have to provide proof of business insurance every year - otherwise we cannot claim mileage only bus or train tickets

Are you allowed to use your car for travel

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 22:20

JaceLancs · 03/07/2025 22:17

We have to provide proof of business insurance every year - otherwise we cannot claim mileage only bus or train tickets

Yeah they should make it part of onboarding

OP posts:
JaceLancs · 03/07/2025 22:17

We have to provide proof of business insurance every year - otherwise we cannot claim mileage only bus or train tickets

Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 22:15

AmIHumanOrAmIAYeti · 03/07/2025 21:57

They have a policy and mileage can’t be claimed without being compliant.

Show quote history

Yes but the issue is that they are expecting the employee to travel so they should make sure the employee has the right insurance and license etc. it's to protect the business.

OP posts:
minnienono · 03/07/2025 22:03

@ThatBluntLimeStork

im the only employee in a tiny charity, I am aware of the need so have it, the person who would keep the record would be me! The trustees like many small orgs rely on hired staff to be more knowledgeable than them

minnienono · 03/07/2025 22:00

@Jabberwok

the 45p you can claim for driving your own car includes insurance though my business insurance is only £1 a year. Very few companies have company cars etc now they expect you to drive your own vehicle

AmIHumanOrAmIAYeti · 03/07/2025 21:57

ProfessionalWhimsicalSkidaddler · 03/07/2025 19:28

This sort of thing pisses me off. Yes you need business insurance but why didn’t your work check this before hand? They seem to have policies that only suit them - a policy should be to ensure all staff are safe and legal at all times. Not allow them to do the driving and then say oh we can’t pay mileage for that. Saves them a few bob to be so disorganised doesn’t it.

They have a policy and mileage can’t be claimed without being compliant.

Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 21:56

minnienono · 03/07/2025 21:55

My work has never asked to see my insurance but I have it, costs £1 extra per year!

Than they shouldn't be paying your expenses

OP posts:
minnienono · 03/07/2025 21:55

My work has never asked to see my insurance but I have it, costs £1 extra per year!

Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 21:53

SamDeanCas · 03/07/2025 21:53

I travel for work and I’ve never been asked for my insurance when claiming mileage back

But you need to get business insurance, if you have an accident on company business you won’t be insured.

It’s usually cheap as chips to add to your current insurance policy.

Why don't they check you are insured?

OP posts:
SamDeanCas · 03/07/2025 21:53

I travel for work and I’ve never been asked for my insurance when claiming mileage back

But you need to get business insurance, if you have an accident on company business you won’t be insured.

It’s usually cheap as chips to add to your current insurance policy.

Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 21:52

Jabberwok · 03/07/2025 21:41

Right but you are using your car for business, so either you need to pay for business cover on your motor insurance or they have to provide you with a method of transport...otherwise your insurance is pretty much void apart from the injury you might have caused to another person. They would also be vicariously liable under English law.

I think you are missing the point. Your employer requires you to travel for business. To do this and be reimbursed for using your own car you need the correct insurance. This will cost you money. Therefore they should either pay for the extra cover or provide transport for you.

I worked for a large insurance company and if I had used my car for what you did I would be sacked. I either hired or had a company car.

Show quote history

Sacked? Lol get a grip. I've not lied to them. They've said they don't check so the onus is on them if they want me to check. They don't pay me extra to use my car.

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 21:51

ProfessionalWhimsicalSkidaddler · 03/07/2025 21:50

If you’re agile and it’s a reasonable expectation that you will drive there and need to be correctly insured as part of that, then they should check from the get go. If it’s not expected, then once they ask you the. They need to make sure you’re safe. Don’t excuse them. They’ve dropped the ball.

Show quote history

Yes it's such a bad area...

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 21:51

Jabberwok · 03/07/2025 21:41

Right but you are using your car for business, so either you need to pay for business cover on your motor insurance or they have to provide you with a method of transport...otherwise your insurance is pretty much void apart from the injury you might have caused to another person. They would also be vicariously liable under English law.

I think you are missing the point. Your employer requires you to travel for business. To do this and be reimbursed for using your own car you need the correct insurance. This will cost you money. Therefore they should either pay for the extra cover or provide transport for you.

I worked for a large insurance company and if I had used my car for what you did I would be sacked. I either hired or had a company car.

Show quote history

I'm not sure how im "missing the point" when I've made it clear I've bought business insurance

OP posts:
ProfessionalWhimsicalSkidaddler · 03/07/2025 21:50

ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 21:35

They can't as contract is agile, so we have a HO but also expected to travel elsewhere. I'm not required to have a car for my job but required to attend those meetings....

Show quote history

If you’re agile and it’s a reasonable expectation that you will drive there and need to be correctly insured as part of that, then they should check from the get go. If it’s not expected, then once they ask you the. They need to make sure you’re safe. Don’t excuse them. They’ve dropped the ball.

Jabberwok · 03/07/2025 21:41

ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 19:21

Why? We all use our own cars unless it's the works van.

Show quote history

Right but you are using your car for business, so either you need to pay for business cover on your motor insurance or they have to provide you with a method of transport...otherwise your insurance is pretty much void apart from the injury you might have caused to another person. They would also be vicariously liable under English law.

I think you are missing the point. Your employer requires you to travel for business. To do this and be reimbursed for using your own car you need the correct insurance. This will cost you money. Therefore they should either pay for the extra cover or provide transport for you.

I worked for a large insurance company and if I had used my car for what you did I would be sacked. I either hired or had a company car.

Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 21:35

Travel to hubs for meetings.

Yes this is totally on me but yes the business needs to check as well

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 21:35

ProfessionalWhimsicalSkidaddler · 03/07/2025 20:22

But as soon as they know you need to drive to a different location - they can easily start the process.

Show quote history

They can't as contract is agile, so we have a HO but also expected to travel elsewhere. I'm not required to have a car for my job but required to attend those meetings....

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 21:27

Doesitgoto11 · 03/07/2025 21:25

Insurance is pretty straightforward. Commuting includes to your regular place of business, anything outside of that requires business use which these days isn’t too expensive compared to a few years ago.

where it will make a difference is with expenses as there are different pence per mile rates depending on what your contract states ref regular or infrequent car user. And your company should be checking the insurance arrangements everyone who claims mileage has in place - it’s what’s known as ‘grey fleet’ - to ensure they have appropriate coverage.

if you’ve been driving your car on business outside of the normal commuting parameters then technically you’ve been driving uninsured. You’re not alone, there’s many who don’t understand/appreciate that.

I actually checked with insurance and it was ok.

Ive got business now to claim expenses going forward

OP posts:
Doesitgoto11 · 03/07/2025 21:25

Insurance is pretty straightforward. Commuting includes to your regular place of business, anything outside of that requires business use which these days isn’t too expensive compared to a few years ago.

where it will make a difference is with expenses as there are different pence per mile rates depending on what your contract states ref regular or infrequent car user. And your company should be checking the insurance arrangements everyone who claims mileage has in place - it’s what’s known as ‘grey fleet’ - to ensure they have appropriate coverage.

if you’ve been driving your car on business outside of the normal commuting parameters then technically you’ve been driving uninsured. You’re not alone, there’s many who don’t understand/appreciate that.

Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 20:58

Doggymummar · 03/07/2025 20:29

I used to visit clients at their premises. hR kept a copy of my business insurance on file.

Did they pay you?

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 20:30

WasherWoman25 · 03/07/2025 20:23

You are way over thinking this.

They just won’t pay your expenses.

You didn’t have an accident so just sort it for next time and stop over thinking it.

Yes I like to worry

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 20:29

ProfessionalWhimsicalSkidaddler · 03/07/2025 20:22

But as soon as they know you need to drive to a different location - they can easily start the process.

Show quote history

It's part of the contract. We are supposed to be agile to work from the hubs we have, as needed. Although I've never read or been presented the policy.

OP posts:
Doggymummar · 03/07/2025 20:29

I used to visit clients at their premises. hR kept a copy of my business insurance on file.

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