do I have to have business insurance to used my car to run an errand at work?

Answer 1

Check your policy - if its just for social and commuting it means you cannot use it for work purposes.
If you're trying to get out of running errands then use this as an excuse.
If you're just concerned incase anything happened while you were on an errand - if you have an accident it would be very difficult for the insurance company to prove you weren't just nipping out of work for a sandwich and this would come under commuting.

Answer 2

If it is just an errand that you are just doing once, then no you do not need to change anything on your auto insurance. If, this will be a regular occurrence, you may have to change the use of your car to business use (you need to check with your insurance agent to find out how often would be considered business use & your radius of use). Also, you would be covered by workers comp (for your injury) if you are doing this errand for your job. I would also make sure that your employer has some sort of auto coverage with the proper endorsements (hired, nonowned & borrowed & drive other car) so that their liability will come into play too. I would mark down the mileage to get reimbursed & if it is determined you will have to change the use on your vehicle from commute to business use, I would get them to pay the difference in premium for that too.

Answer 3

If you insurance covers you for Social, Domestic and Pleasure only you aren't covered. Quite a few policies include business use by the policyholder in person and this would cover you for the occasional errand provided you haven't told them you are a typist but are really a delivery driver. Also if you are doing this at the request of your employers as a reasonable part of your job then they are legally responsible for insuring you, or for picking up the pieces after an incident, and don't let them tell you otherwise.

Answer 4

Yes it does affect the cost of the insurance. The reason it is asked is because if you use the car for business you subject the insurance company to a higher possible cost because of clients, use of the vehicle, and if you have a sign attached to the vehicle you also become a target for those wanted a higher insurance settlement. If you use it for business get a commericial policy they are usually just a bit more expensive than a normal policy. ( depending on use)

Answer 5

Check your policy, ask your agent to review what is covered. Some companies or policies cover, some don't, and some have an endorsement to add it to a policy...

If your employer carries a business insurance then it may be covered that way, check on that too.

Answer 6

Sort of. Check that your policy includes "use in connection with your business or employment". It's a common extension to a normal private car insurance policy.

Answer 7

Yes you do. Most insurance policies have the option to select cover for business use at marginal extra cost. Your company should re-imburse you for the mileage you do and part of this payment should cover the additional cost of insurance.
It is not expensive and well worth it for the peace of mind of knowing you will be covered if the worst happens.

Answer 8

Yes - make sure that your certificate of motor insurance states "By the policyholder in person in connection with his business". - it may include 'Spouse' and may include 'or that of his employer'.

You may need additional cover if you are using the car for 'cold calling' and definitely if you are being paid to transport any co-workers.

Answer 9

If you using your vehicle for job related things is in your work agreement, yes. If not, and it's infrequent and voluntary, no.

Answer 10

technicaly yes
if you have an accident and you are court carrying company stuff your insurance is null & void!