What are the consequences if you damage a van after working hours?
You insure a van as a business vehicle, but what if the insurance policy is used by an employee outside working hours, for example? Does van insurance provide coverage?
Insuring a van is more expensive than insuring a privately used car. One reason is that these cars often have several drivers. On average, employees will also treat a boss' car less carefully. This is taken into account when setting the premium.
Who is responsible for damage to the van?
A company is generally the owner of the car and also responsible for the conduct of the driver. Damages caused with the van are also the responsibility of the owner of the car. The owner also has the obligation to insure the van. If the van is only third-party insured, damage to the van cannot be claimed from the insurance company. In case of damage, the other party is indemnified and the own damage must be borne by the company itself.
Damaged car after working hours
Van insurance also simply provides coverage outside working hours. Suppose an employee uses the van privately during evening hours without notifying the employer. In case of damage, whether the employer or the employee is responsible for the van insurance does not matter. The insurer settles the claim in the same way. Thus, it makes no difference to the settlement whether it was inside or outside working hours. Unless the employee stole the van, then the insurer will recover damages from the employee.
Recovering damages from the employee
Of course, the employer can hold the employee liable for the financial loss caused. Using the van without permission is culpable. In practice, this will not be easy and will involve high costs. The van's insurer is a party to this type of dispute only in exceptional cases.
Are stolen possessions from the van insured?
The WA limited casco and the WA casco(all risk) provides coverage against burglary damage to the car. The van insurance does not cover tools and other possessions in the van that are not part of the van. In case of burglary, compensation follows for the damage to the car, but what is stolen from the car you will not get compensation for. You can insure against this with your own transport insurance. An alarm system is often required for this insurance, though.
Also read:
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