Mileage and travel for work

[ThatBluntLimeStork]

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.

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.

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?

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

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

@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

@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

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.

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

Are you allowed to use your car for travel

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

I claim mileage and submit distances. Nobody has ever asked to see my insurance. I think I only have commuting insurance tbh.

Get it changed now

I submit mileage every month nd it’s never been an issue.

From a legal point of view I’ll get it sorted but I’m not actually to clear why you’re worried about your own situation. Can you explain what you think might happen?

Don't know

I wasn't driving with correct insurance. Get in trouble?

Trouble with who?

You won’t be in trouble. You just can’t claim those non-compliant expenses.

Put in the claim. Nowhere I’ve ever worked has checked my insurance. If you are concerned about it, change your insurance for now.

She already has and it was rejected.

You can get paid mileage rather than an allowance and you can claim that on your tax form, there is an allowable rate of so much a mile that will be tax free I don't know what it is currently. You do need limited business use on your insurance and if you are carrying work equipment or passengers for work you should make sure you are covered for that. Unless the vehicle belongs to your place of work their insurance won't cover you for anything. I'm surprised no one told you you needed business use, but I guess they assumed it was obvious and until you claim they are probably not bothered. Is it mentioned in your contract?

Link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rates-and-allowances-travel-mileage-and-fuel-allowances/travel-mileage-and-fuel-rates-and-allowances

Why don't they check you are insured?

@ThatBluntLimeStork it’s in the company handbook that if you travel for work, in your own car, you must have business insurance.

Who are you in trouble with? If you’re an agile worker the expectation is that you’ll travel between different workplaces, hence the “agile” part. Your employer should check you have the ability to travel and, if that’s going to be by car, you have appropriate insurance. They’ve dropped the ball here and you’ve been penalised because you weren’t aware of the different insurance requirements. You’ve now taken out the relevant insurance, so it’s sorted out except you’re out of pocket for your expenses.

I too work in housing and am an agile worker. We have to have business insurance, even if not regularly travelling. We don't get a monthly payment towards the use of our own cars either.

Commuting is just covering you to your regular place of work, not other offices you may attend.