Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
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.

ProfessionalWhimsicalSkidaddler · 03/07/2025 20:22

ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 19:44

It's an agile contract and I don't have essential travel, so I think that's why colleagues have docs checked and get an allowance.

Show quote history

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

Norma27 · 03/07/2025 20:11

I’m a civil servant and if I use my car to drive other than to my normal office I need business insurance and to show proof of it to claim mileage.

StMarie4me · 03/07/2025 20:10

ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 18:58

I don't because I checked with my own insurance....

My work don't check because I don't get a monthly allowance as I'm not essential. I'm an agile worker and occasional travel to sites maybe necessary.

However my role has changed (just because they want my help) and I've done heaps of traveling and will do for the future. So I paid for the business insurance as I will need that according to my own insurance policy and also to claim mileage. I don't have a car allowance

Show quote history

Add it on? It costs nothing most of the time! Nominal if anything!

Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 20:08

Valid8me · 03/07/2025 20:05

No need to be rude, I have plenty of brain cells than you very much.

My insurance specifies travelling to and from work but is not business insurance. If I work from a different office on a rare occasion (or used to, I don't work there any longer) then I could claim mileage and I was still travelling to and from work. HR didn't check anything.

Show quote history

Did you claim mileage and submit distance etc or was it a lump sum?

I think hmrc require business insurance

OP posts:
Valid8me · 03/07/2025 20:05

AmIHumanOrAmIAYeti · 03/07/2025 18:55

Rub another brain cell against it.

What happens if you are driving for work and have an accident that you aren’t insured for…….

Show quote history

No need to be rude, I have plenty of brain cells than you very much.

My insurance specifies travelling to and from work but is not business insurance. If I work from a different office on a rare occasion (or used to, I don't work there any longer) then I could claim mileage and I was still travelling to and from work. HR didn't check anything.

Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 19:44

ProfessionalWhimsicalSkidaddler · 03/07/2025 19:40

this isn’t on you. It’s as important as your right to work docs. I’m sure they checked that but as part of due diligence etc they should also have a copy of your insurance including cover for business purposes. They fact they don’t suggests ignorance or carelessness

Show quote history

It's an agile contract and I don't have essential travel, so I think that's why colleagues have docs checked and get an allowance.

OP posts:
ProfessionalWhimsicalSkidaddler · 03/07/2025 19:40

ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 19:30

It might be in a policy that I've never read... I wasn't required to show insurance before I started the job or made clear as part of onboarding, but I guess it's my car... But I also think they need to take responsibility as well. If I crashed, would that be it?

Show quote history

this isn’t on you. It’s as important as your right to work docs. I’m sure they checked that but as part of due diligence etc they should also have a copy of your insurance including cover for business purposes. They fact they don’t suggests ignorance or carelessness

Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 19:31

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.

We have an agile contract as well.

It's annoying as it's only a few pounds more expensive

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 19:30

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.

It might be in a policy that I've never read... I wasn't required to show insurance before I started the job or made clear as part of onboarding, but I guess it's my car... But I also think they need to take responsibility as well. If I crashed, would that be it?

OP posts:
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.

Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 19:21

Jabberwok · 03/07/2025 18:57

So next time they ask you say no. Or they need to hire a car with the appropriate insurance as you don't have businesses cover on your motor insurance.

I'm surprised that your boss expected you to use your own car to travel for work.

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

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 19:20

Ps work also have a car park we have registered with, so they do know we drive

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 19:19

ClareBlue · 03/07/2025 19:14

In my experience, if this is playing on your mind it's best to have a direct conversation with your manager. Then at least you will know if there are going to be any consequences. If not, you can move on. If so, then you can plan how to deal with it. Overthinking about these things is often worse than any consequences. In our organisation that employs thousands in the Public Sector you would not be in trouble. Just a quick meeting to clarify everything was in order from now on.

See that's what I don't understand. If I have an agile contract than who's concern is it for me to attend meetings at other sites? I don't have a car allowance, so perhaps it's down to me to make sure my insurance is ok, but what happens if I have an accident, on work time doing work stuff, isn't that then their responsibility and they should have checked my insurance to make sure it's business as they do with the essential car users. My insurance was ok until recently, but it's grey what insurance means by occasional and recent travel wouldn't suggest that.

If I'm office based 100% of the time I would understand they don't have a duty.

Just curious. Obviously I know I fucked up.

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 19:15

ClareBlue · 03/07/2025 19:14

In my experience, if this is playing on your mind it's best to have a direct conversation with your manager. Then at least you will know if there are going to be any consequences. If not, you can move on. If so, then you can plan how to deal with it. Overthinking about these things is often worse than any consequences. In our organisation that employs thousands in the Public Sector you would not be in trouble. Just a quick meeting to clarify everything was in order from now on.

Unfortunately she's on annual leave and I've raised it with her manager who didn't get back to me.

OP posts:
ClareBlue · 03/07/2025 19:14

In my experience, if this is playing on your mind it's best to have a direct conversation with your manager. Then at least you will know if there are going to be any consequences. If not, you can move on. If so, then you can plan how to deal with it. Overthinking about these things is often worse than any consequences. In our organisation that employs thousands in the Public Sector you would not be in trouble. Just a quick meeting to clarify everything was in order from now on.

Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 19:13

ClareBlue · 03/07/2025 19:08

Makes sure your insurance idemdifiesyour employer too and you can carry colleagues, if you might need to. They will want that and possibly a valid MOT and your license details. That's what we ask for.

I'm refusing to drive with colleagues. Too much of a risk

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 19:10

ClareBlue · 03/07/2025 19:08

Makes sure your insurance idemdifiesyour employer too and you can carry colleagues, if you might need to. They will want that and possibly a valid MOT and your license details. That's what we ask for.

Yes I've been asked for a lot of information from hr, which is ok. Mot, insurance, licence, form to say car belongs to me etc. very intense

My issue is that I'm travelling but I'm not getting a car allowance, so I think I will consider this in the future.

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 19:08

ClareBlue · 03/07/2025 19:06

Well presumably your manager set your activities so why didn't they ensure you were insured correctly as it was a new role. Can't just say you should have known. I think no reimbursement is as far as they will want it to go.

It's not a new role, I'm just doing more duties, getting more involved.

I know I can't claim for petrol but worried about being in trouble.

My contract has always been agile, so I don't know who is really responsible.

OP posts:
ClareBlue · 03/07/2025 19:08

Makes sure your insurance idemdifiesyour employer too and you can carry colleagues, if you might need to. They will want that and possibly a valid MOT and your license details. That's what we ask for.

ClareBlue · 03/07/2025 19:06

Well presumably your manager set your activities so why didn't they ensure you were insured correctly as it was a new role. Can't just say you should have known. I think no reimbursement is as far as they will want it to go.

Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 19:03

ClareBlue · 03/07/2025 19:03

Yes. Going to houses is the business activity. Just get it sorted from now and don't claim the previous. Chalk it to experience. Nothing bad happened so there is no need to worry about what could have.

Show quote history

Hr know. My manager knows.

OP posts:
ClareBlue · 03/07/2025 19:03

ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 19:00

I was visiting houses for a meeting. I work in housing.

So I probably should have got business insurance in the first instance as it's not much more expensive.

Show quote history

Yes. Going to houses is the business activity. Just get it sorted from now and don't claim the previous. Chalk it to experience. Nothing bad happened so there is no need to worry about what could have.

Original poster
ThatBluntLimeStork · 03/07/2025 19:02

LlynTegid · 03/07/2025 19:02

Would they pay your bus or train fare to get there?

Nope..

Prob expected to meet driving colleagues at main office and get a lift.

OP posts:
LlynTegid · 03/07/2025 19:02

Would they pay your bus or train fare to get there?

Swipe left for the next trending thread