Business Car Insurance For An Apprentice

[patrickstar]

My son has recently been successful in gaining an apprenticeship. As part of the paperwork that needs to be completed prior to employment he has been asked to show his new employer that he has business cover on his car insurance policy. He only passed his test a few months back and as such is already having to pay a large sum to be insured. How much would this insurance be and why, if driving on business, wouldn't it be covered by his prospective employer? Being an apprentice will mean he won't earn much and the little he earns could be reduced further to pay for the insurance. Any guidance appreciated.

[mccfluff]

if you are using your own car for business then you have to insure it. Depending on what it is he is doing depends on the class of insurance and how much he has to pay. what is it he is doing and what would be expected to drive for?
He will be able to claim expenses, HMRC rate for your own car is 45p per mile. the business may pay him more or less than that.

[bednobs]

just phone up the insurance company and ask them - it's often not any more expensive at all.
My husband has to have business on his insurance as he sometimes very occasionally drives between sites. i have to have it on mine in case i have to drive to another site for a meeting, or to pick something up (which never happens) What is the business?

[bednobs]

just phone up the insurance company and ask them - it's often not any more expensive at all.
My husband has to have business on his insurance as he sometimes very occasionally drives between sites. i have to have it on mine in case i have to drive to another site for a meeting, or to pick something up (which never happens) What is the business?

[patrickstar]

Thanks for the answers. He has called his insurance but they will not cover him due to being a new driver and has a black box fitted etc. His apprenticeship is for Countryside Management so he will probably need to drive to differing areas in the county. I had presumed he would drive company equipment or be driven, at least to start with. His car is great as a run around but I am concerned he will not be able to afford the maintenance of the vehicle as the miles clock up on it let alone the insurance itself.

[mccfluff]

seems a bit unfair to expect someone on an apprenticeship to drive for company business, is he doing this in conjunction with a college course at all?

[patrickstar]

He will be doing one day a week at college

[Prudie]

Has he explained to his insurance that this for occasional business use rather than driving being his main job? Everybody where I work, including apprentices, has to have business use on their insurance for travelling between non-normal destinations (ie not home to duty) and for driving hire and company vehicles. It is usually a free addition or a very minimal increase.

[patrickstar]

That is a very good question Prudie. I will check with him. Thank you

[Hymie]

Adding to what Purdie has said; if the company I work for insisted that I have extra insurance on my car for their benefit, I would certainly expect them to pay any increase in my premium – why should I bear the company’s insurance costs?

[patrickstar]

Exactly what I said! Still find it a little strange.