Car park hit and run on a works vehicle, affect on insurance
Discussion
Hi all, I am hoping someone can give accurate information on the following scenario.
My son parked up a works van and someone hit it and drove off, the damage is significant enough to be an insurance claim. Is this classed as a claim against him needing to be declared to his personal insurance? Go compare ask the following when obtaining a quote.
“In the last five years, has the driver had or caused any accidents, claims or damage involving any motor vehicle?”
I doubt I will get a definitive answer unless someone here had the same type of incident and declared it or didn’t declare and then had to make a claim on their own insurance.
Thanks in advance for any replies.
My son parked up a works van and someone hit it and drove off, the damage is significant enough to be an insurance claim. Is this classed as a claim against him needing to be declared to his personal insurance? Go compare ask the following when obtaining a quote.
“In the last five years, has the driver had or caused any accidents, claims or damage involving any motor vehicle?”
I doubt I will get a definitive answer unless someone here had the same type of incident and declared it or didn’t declare and then had to make a claim on their own insurance.
Thanks in advance for any replies.
Muck Dodge said:
Hi all, I am hoping someone can give accurate information on the following scenario.
My son parked up a works van and someone hit it and drove off, the damage is significant enough to be an insurance claim. Is this classed as a claim against him needing to be declared to his personal insurance? Go compare ask the following when obtaining a quote.
“In the last five years, has the driver had or caused any accidents, claims or damage involving any motor vehicle?”
I doubt I will get a definitive answer unless someone here had the same type of incident and declared it or didn’t declare and then had to make a claim on their own insurance.
Thanks in advance for any replies.
You have to answer the questions asked. The answer to that question is clearly "yes".My son parked up a works van and someone hit it and drove off, the damage is significant enough to be an insurance claim. Is this classed as a claim against him needing to be declared to his personal insurance? Go compare ask the following when obtaining a quote.
“In the last five years, has the driver had or caused any accidents, claims or damage involving any motor vehicle?”
I doubt I will get a definitive answer unless someone here had the same type of incident and declared it or didn’t declare and then had to make a claim on their own insurance.
Thanks in advance for any replies.
I was hit by a Tesco delivery driver in a works van way back in 2015 on Tottenham Court Road, carrying motorcycles. Since the company had insured all the vans for any of their drivers under a 'coverall' policy, I decided to never mention it on private insurance. Of course, I was relieved to not have to make a claim for the next 5 years anyway.
It's up to him really, but if every driver declared everything, including denting their own car in a car park, damaging a wheel on a kerb, or hitting something at home, I doubt anybody would be claim 'free.'
It's up to him really, but if every driver declared everything, including denting their own car in a car park, damaging a wheel on a kerb, or hitting something at home, I doubt anybody would be claim 'free.'
Sebring440 said:
Muck Dodge said:
“In the last five years, has the driver had or caused any accidents, claims or damage involving any motor vehicle?”
Answered your own question.AyBee said:
Sebring440 said:
Muck Dodge said:
“In the last five years, has the driver had or caused any accidents, claims or damage involving any motor vehicle?”
Answered your own question.I convinced myself that one intrepretation of the insurer's question left enough wiggle room to be able to say "oops" if caught out without it being blatent. I chickened out two years later when I had to call during a renewal and was asked the question verbally - they added £50 (about 20%) to the renewal.
AyBee said:
Sebring440 said:
Muck Dodge said:
“In the last five years, has the driver had or caused any accidents, claims or damage involving any motor vehicle?”
Answered your own question.The correct answer is YES, it must be declared.
But.....claims on fleet policies and the like are not recorded on the CUE, so the details will not show up on any database. So in reality, if you didn't declare it, the only way it would come to light is if you forgot you didn't declare it and then did declare it at the point you made a claim on your personal policy maybe 2 years later.
Which is what many people do, which is why they ask you all the same question at claim time that they've already asked previously. It's easy to recall the truth, but harder to remember what lies you told them at inception or renewal.
But.....claims on fleet policies and the like are not recorded on the CUE, so the details will not show up on any database. So in reality, if you didn't declare it, the only way it would come to light is if you forgot you didn't declare it and then did declare it at the point you made a claim on your personal policy maybe 2 years later.
Which is what many people do, which is why they ask you all the same question at claim time that they've already asked previously. It's easy to recall the truth, but harder to remember what lies you told them at inception or renewal.
Thank you for the replies guys.
Obviously I am looking for an out for him, the wording of that question to me seems to me more than 90% it could be no but with insurance being so binary you can’t have a little bit yes.
In the drop down boxes which follow none of the options are anywhere comparable to this scenario, it seems to follow the same path as a fault crash.
Come renewal time it may be best to get quotes without declaring and phone the ones he would consider to see if their underwriters see it as an issue.
Bit off a kick in the nuts for him as it’s only a part time summer job which over the next five years could cost more than he earns.
Obviously I am looking for an out for him, the wording of that question to me seems to me more than 90% it could be no but with insurance being so binary you can’t have a little bit yes.
In the drop down boxes which follow none of the options are anywhere comparable to this scenario, it seems to follow the same path as a fault crash.
Come renewal time it may be best to get quotes without declaring and phone the ones he would consider to see if their underwriters see it as an issue.
Bit off a kick in the nuts for him as it’s only a part time summer job which over the next five years could cost more than he earns.
Is anyone here answering as an insurance professional?
I was asked this question by a client a while back. I couldn't give a firm opinion on it as I am not in the industry.
Effectively the question being asked is:
“In the last five years has the driver had damage involving any motor vehicle?”
If a company vehicle was damaged at the company premises (and only one person drove that vehicle, who was on holiday at the time), could you answer 'No' truthfully? I think most people would agree that you could. Your responsibility usually ends when you park up as long as you have acted according to company policy (contract/handbook). Company property has been damaged on company premises and the driver is not relevant in these circumstances.
How does the above differ if the company car driver is no longer driving but not on company premises, and has parked according to their contract/handbook and in a manner that would be appropriate by a reasonable person? As a company owner, I would not hold that person responsible or consider them linked to that damage.
It's an interesting one and would come down to when that person is deemed to be a driver. Without definition by the potential insurer, I would argue it should be considered with reference to your employer and your potential responsibility at the time.
I was asked this question by a client a while back. I couldn't give a firm opinion on it as I am not in the industry.
Effectively the question being asked is:
“In the last five years has the driver had damage involving any motor vehicle?”
If a company vehicle was damaged at the company premises (and only one person drove that vehicle, who was on holiday at the time), could you answer 'No' truthfully? I think most people would agree that you could. Your responsibility usually ends when you park up as long as you have acted according to company policy (contract/handbook). Company property has been damaged on company premises and the driver is not relevant in these circumstances.
How does the above differ if the company car driver is no longer driving but not on company premises, and has parked according to their contract/handbook and in a manner that would be appropriate by a reasonable person? As a company owner, I would not hold that person responsible or consider them linked to that damage.
It's an interesting one and would come down to when that person is deemed to be a driver. Without definition by the potential insurer, I would argue it should be considered with reference to your employer and your potential responsibility at the time.
Muck Dodge said:
It seems he’s on the hook by default because he was the last person in charge of the vehicle, I’m assuming a name has to be entered as part of the claim process. The van isn’t his responsibility day to day, he uses different ones depending on the work required or availability.
It may be worth speaking to the employer and ascertain their process, especially company records. I've never had company vehicle insurance, so can't comment.You could take my example further: A works van is parked up on the main road outside the company premises. Only two people use this van. Driver A parked up the van at 5pm on a Friday. Driver B went to pick up some parts on Monday morning to find the car smashed up. Who is responsible and has to declare? A because they parked up or B because they found it? Does it matter when it happened? Are they both responsible? What if B had used the keys to take his packet of Opal Fruits (Starburst) out of the glovebox at 5:15pm on the Friday?
When do you 'own' damage to a company vehicle?
MaxFromage said:
It may be worth speaking to the employer and ascertain their process, especially company records. I've never had company vehicle insurance, so can't comment.
You could take my example further: A works van is parked up on the main road outside the company premises. Only two people use this van. Driver A parked up the van at 5pm on a Friday. Driver B went to pick up some parts on Monday morning to find the car smashed up. Who is responsible and has to declare? A because they parked up or B because they found it? Does it matter when it happened? Are they both responsible? What if B had used the keys to take his packet of Opal Fruits (Starburst) out of the glovebox at 5:15pm on the Friday?
When do you 'own' damage to a company vehicle?
I agree. Its says "driver". He was not driving it so was nothing to do with it at all if it was parked legally and not in any way negligence on his part when he left it. You could take my example further: A works van is parked up on the main road outside the company premises. Only two people use this van. Driver A parked up the van at 5pm on a Friday. Driver B went to pick up some parts on Monday morning to find the car smashed up. Who is responsible and has to declare? A because they parked up or B because they found it? Does it matter when it happened? Are they both responsible? What if B had used the keys to take his packet of Opal Fruits (Starburst) out of the glovebox at 5:15pm on the Friday?
When do you 'own' damage to a company vehicle?
Getragdogleg said:
I agree. Its says "driver". He was not driving it so was nothing to do with it at all if it was parked legally and not in any way negligence on his part when he left it.
You are misinterpreting "driver". That refers to the person getting the quote. Not as to whether they were driving at the time of any incident.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff