Your opinions please-vehicle accident.

[FROSTY]

Someone is involved in a vehicle accident whilst at work and using a company vehicle. The damage done is in the hundreds of dollars so not enough for an insurance claim being below the excess level.
Who should pay for the damage to the vehicles involved? Why should they pay?

[MSTRS]

Morally, the driver at the time.
Legally, not sure, but I'd suspect that it would be the employer. You are talking about in company time, on company business?

[nosebleed]

Without knowing what authorities and responsibilities have been tagged out of the employment contract, I'd suggest the cost is on the employer.

These accidents are what the insurance policy is for; and if the employer makes the commercial decision to not make a claim, then it's over to them to cover the cost.

[rustyrobot]

I think the company should pay if this is the first instance by that driver. If you broke something else at work you wouldn't have to fork out for it. There is a woman at my work who has crashed the van (in a minor way) three times. She has now had to attend driving supervision and has been told she will pay for any subsequent damage to the work vehicle. That seems pretty fair to me.

I agree that legally I'm not sure where things stand.

[ynot slow]

Company vehicle in company time,simple the company,unless company driver was under influence of drugs/alcohol(no insurance anyway)or breaking any road rules re speed,wheelies etc.

[YellowDog]

If it is a company vehicle on company business, then the company should pay.

However this depends upon who was at fault.

I made the guys who worked for me sign an agreement to pay the excess in the event oif an accident that was their own fault.

This was to give them the message that I would like them to drive carefully and not faaark the vehicles.

One of the little c#nts working for me rammed a cabbie up the arse and gave my name as the driver. He looked suprised when I took the excess out of his wages :no:

[bogan]

Who pays the insurance excess if it was a bigger crash? same party should pay the lower amount.

[FROSTY]

SORRY GUYS--The accident was after work but at work. there were two vehicles involved--one parked.The insurance is by the employee the excess is covered by the employee unless they aren't at fault

[Virago]

Whether or not you involve insurance is at your discretion, not theirs.

Go to the employer and ask for payment. If they piss you about, go to your own insurance company - they'll sort it out for you. That's what you pay them for.

[onearmedbandit]

Was the vehicle being used in normal circumstances for work related purposes?

[Gibbo89]

There is a woman at my work who has crashed the van (in a minor way) three times. She has now had to attend driving supervision and has been told she will pay for any subsequent damage to the work vehicle.

lol that's funny as!

[FROSTY]

Was the vehicle being used in normal circumstances for work related purposes?
The employee in question was heading home and reversed into another car

[onearmedbandit]

The employee in question was heading home and reversed into another car

Is this a car from a car yard that was being used as a 'driver'? If so then I would be expecting the employee to pay for repairs. If he was taking the vehicle to show a perspective client after hours, and that was were he was heading, then I'd expect the employer to foot the bill.

[JimO]

my 2c worth if he gets to take a car home as part as his employment the employers insurance pays, and if the employer refuses he should refuse to drive a yard car and his pay should reflect this

[Max Preload]

lol that's funny as!Yet somehow unsurprising... :scratch:

Now, the first thing that should happen is they should have the company vehilce taken off them. Anyone who crashes into a stationary vehicle when parking is simply too stupid to be allowed to drive.

[tri boy]

Company vechile, Company pays.
Part of being in business. MHO

[Smifffy]

Company vehicle being used in a normal manner - company pays. If driving is part of employees normal duties, and driving is below standard then it needs to be treated the same as any other performance management issue.

I would suggest that unless there is something clear and specific regarding the employee paying for damages in the employment agreement or vehicle policy (and since the question arises it's fair to say in this case there isn't) it would be unlawful to force the driver to pay.

As stated before, this is what insurance is for, and if the company decides not to claim, that decision is the company's.

[onearmedbandit]

If it is a car yard vehicle being used as a 'driver' in my experience (10yrs in car sales, 10yrs driving 'drivers') then the responsibility lies with the driver. It's a privilege to take home 'stock' from the yard, and after the owner of the business has paid for it to be p & p'ed and groomed it's the responsibility of the employee to keep it in the same condition.

This is my experience, and is common practice in the car industry.

[Banditbandit]

If it is a company vehicle on company business, then the company should pay.

However this depends upon who was at fault.

I made the guys who worked for me sign an agreement to pay the excess in the event oif an accident that was their own fault.

This was to give them the message that I would like them to drive carefully and not faaark the vehicles.

One of the little c#nts working for me rammed a cabbie up the arse and gave my name as the driver. He looked suprised when I took the excess out of his wages :no:

Good shit ... that'll teach him to respect company property ...