STP Insurance Miranda shares their top tips for managing risks with work vehicles and accidents.
SPT Insurance Miranda has been supporting the Michael Tynan Challenge since the beginning in 2016 and can support you too! They’ve outlined some useful information on your responsibilities in relation to auto accidents as both an employer and an employee. Read their useful advice below to find out more about your responsibilities and how to safeguard your company.
You are accountable as an employer for both your cars and your staff members. The following checklist will help you make sure everything is up to date and ensure you don’t take the fall if something goes wrong.
How to reduce your risk as an employer
1: Have a written car use policy for employees to read that specifies when, where, and how the vehicle can be used. Some employers also choose to use a logbook to keep track of who was using the car and when to help with insurance purposes.
2: Ensure all your work vehicles are registered.
3: Ensure that your comprehensive insurance is the right one for your fleet and all vehicles are covered.
4: Retain copies of the driver's licenses of all the employees who may use the work vehicles.
5: Check the details of your fleet's roadside cover, some policies may only cover your business vehicles for breakdowns during business hours.
6: Keep your fleet’s servicing and maintenance up to date.
7: Make use of helpful technology to monitor and provide feedback to staff using the work vehicles.
Image from STP Insurance
As an employee, you never want to be held accountable for an accident that wasn't your fault and left to cover the costs.
Your responsibilities as an employee
1: Read the company’s car use policy.
2: Check the rules on when you can use the vehicle and if it is only during business hours.
3: Check what insurance coverage the business has for the vehicle and yourself as the driver.
4: Know who to contact in the case of an accident and what details and documentation might be needed.
5: Keep the car clean and check the service dates.
6: Immediately inform the employer of any damages to the vehicle.
7: Ensure your driver's license is active and details are up to date.
8: Always follow the road rules. (The Fair Work Commission says employers can sack staff for repeated speeding incidents when driving a business vehicle for work.)
By following these simple steps you can help make sure yourself and your employees are better covered. If you would like to learn more tips from STP Insurance Miranda, head to their website here or give their team a call on (02) 9525 9311.
Source: STP Insurance