UK drivers warned: Are you Safe2Drive?

30.08.2024

UK employers and employees are urged to review their car insurance policies, amidst growing concerns from risk management business Safe2Drive, that not all drivers using their own cars for work will have the correct insurance cover. Journeys such as travelling between sites, visiting clients, making deliveries, attending meetings would all need additional business cover.

Recent intelligence from Safe2Drive, indicate that significant numbers of UK motorists mistakenly believe that their standard car insurance policy covers them for business use. However, most standard policies only cover social, domestic, and pleasure use, with business use requiring an additional level of cover.

Allan Gibbons, Managing Director of Safe2Drive, commented “It is crucial for all businesses to have visibility of their Grey Fleet Drivers* driving licence and visibility of the vehicle they are driving on company business to ensure legal compliance. Employers and employees need to collaborate.

“Employers and employees can be in breach of the law if their employees are driving without adequate cover or driving an illegal vehicle. For Grey Fleet employees, paying a small premium to add business use to their insurance policy would ensure they are legally compliant and not out of pocket in the long term.

“Additionally, with the journey towards a green future, the business may have a Carbon Footprint Policy and will require emissions data from their Grey Fleet drivers to ensure they meet their environmental criteria.”

Employers have an essential duty of care to ensure the safety and well-being of their employees when they are driving their own cars for work purposes. This responsibility extends beyond the confines of the workplace and includes verifying that employees have the appropriate insurance coverage for business use of their vehicles.

Failure to have the correct insurance could lead to serious consequences for both the employer and employee, including legal non-compliance, claims refused, fines and penalties, increased costs and in some cases a criminal record.

Employers must also provide adequate training and guidance on safe driving practices, ensure that vehicles are regularly maintained and road legal, as well as implement clear policies regarding the use of personal vehicles for work. By fulfilling these obligations, employers not only comply with legal requirements but also promote a culture of safety, reduce the risk of accidents, and protect both their employees and their business from potential liabilities.