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Company car safety questioned

The safety of company cars has been brought into question by a survey which revealed that many users did not have business car insurance.

According to an independent NOP World Automotive survey, many of the drivers who had opted to use their own cars for business purposes under a 'cash for car' scheme did not have adequate insurance.

About one quarter of the 1,000 drivers eligible for company vehicles under their contracts of employment who took part in the survey had opted for to use the cash for car scheme, thus driving a vehicle that had not been submitted to the stringent safety tests expected of traditional business vehicles.

According to Garry Hobson, managing director of fleet management company Masterlease, more than 80 per cent of those using their own cars for work had never had their licences or insurance papers checked by their employers.

Mr Hobson told the Teesside Evening Gazette: "These checks should be carried out regularly as all endorsements must be noted.

"Many drivers did not have business insurance either, so if they had an accident while at work they would not be covered which means that in the case of a fatal accident, the company would be liable."

He added that companies should only allow employees to drive cars that have been properly vetted for safety and insurance cover.