Advise - Company car insurance related

cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

I had a bump in my company car about 6 weeks ago, my foot slipped off the clutch and the car jumped forward into the car in front....

The damage was minimal, the screw that holds on the reg plate pierced the bumper of the car in front.

I filled out a company insurance form as did the woman I hit, now I've since handed my notice in and I'm leaving today then they hit me with this p1ss....

I've to fit the bill, £100 for a tiny hole. Fleet manager says that the company excess is too high and they won't pay the bill. Where does that leave me, surely they can't dock my wages, thats illegal right? They expect me to swan up to the repair centre and shell out £100 to pay for it. Fair do's I'm in the wrong as I had the bump but whats the point of company insurance if they won't pay out....

Where do I stand? Can I just ignore the bill and let the company pick the pieces up? £100 when I'm already skint this month due to a wad of house hol appliances and my GF's car deciding to go tits up is not on....
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yambabe · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

It would normally be standard in a contract of employment or company car agreement that if you have a company car you are responsible to pay the excess if you have an accident that is your fault.

If the repair bill is less than the excess then yes I think it's entirely reasonable to ask you to pay it. Why should your company foot the bill for your poor driving?
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Cigaro · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Karma :

Is it a car that they give you to take home for your own personal use, or a car/van that you only drive whilst 'on the job' (oo-er!)?

If the latter, I'd expect them to fit the bill, as they asked you to drive it, you had no choice, accidents happen and you were doing your job at the time.

If the former, I'd say you were entirely responsible.

cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

It is also for personal use, I just don't see the point in having insurance if they expect me to pay it....

I've checked my contact and it doesn't state paying any excess or paying to fit the bill in an accident. I could fix the womans car myself the damage is that minor but £100 is taking the piss.
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trevoriv · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Karma :

If it's not in your contract about drivers paying the excess or bill if less than the excess on the fleet insurance then i'd also check your contract to see about how leaving the company affects any claim, there may be something in there about if you leave within 12 months of having a claim in the company car than you have to pay the excess or cost of the claim if the total amount is less than the excess.

If there is nothing at all in your contract relating to this then i would tell them that and tell them to go and do one Thumbs Up

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Ichy · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

It might not be in your contract but it might be in a written company policy.

Yes they can take it out of your wages if they wish, just has to be policy.

My excess is, uncannily, £100. I have to pay this up front irrespective of fault and then claim it back if the third party is deemed responsible.

trevoriv · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Karma :

As above, you may have been given something like a drivers handbook which should have the info in.
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Past: '96 Thundercat, '02 ZX636R (A1P), '58 KTM 690 SM LC4 Current: '06 ZX636R (C6F)
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garyd · Brolly Dolly Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Karma :

All these replies are correct,i said the same thing "if your insured ,why do i pay"if you can get your pay before this is settled and deducted from your wages ................... Thumbs Up

thay will prob still chase you for it though

Ghost · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Karma :

Also I can understand why you think 100 quid is excessive, but bear in mind if it's a proper bodyshop doing the work they'll repair the area perhaps fill it, smooth and prime it and then the whole rear bumper will need respraying or fading to as not to get any masking lines. Costs can easily mount up.