Its been around on these forums before about telling your private insurer about any accident/claim made with you as the driver in a works vehicle but how does it work when you’ve applied for a new job with a different employer?
Last year, June time I bent my tail lift on a rigid. The company put in a insurance claim for the repair, I filled out a form and thought nothing of it as it wasn’t driving related. I didn’t hear back from either the company or the insurance people regarding it. In the August I filled out an application form for a new job where I didn’t declare this bump as I didn’t know I had too. Fast forward to now, I’m one step away from securing this job which I don’t want to jepadise. The lady on the phone when sorting out some car insurance for a little job runabout I’ve bought informed me that my name appeared on the Motor Insurance Database as having a claim next to it from June. I’m assuming this is the claim my current firms insurers filed for the repair job. There wasn’t any details listed, it did however affect my premium. Not by much but it did affect it.
Now it comes down to how I approach this with the TM of this new job. To note, I’ve not yet received a formal offer of employment. I know I need to report it to him as my name is listed with this claim and the threat of having non-disclosure leveled against me is starting to eat me up inside. As I said above, on the application form I did not declare it as I didn’t know I had to, it never occurred to me. I don’t think he’s spoken to his insurers yet.
I’m kicking myself for not realising it sooner and letting it go this far. I know honesty is the best policy but I’m fearing that it will just screw me out of a job I really want.
Bite the bullet and contact him ASAP.
If this bump means youre too great a risk for his insurance (seems doubtful that its that bad) you will know sooner rather than later. Less wasted time for both of you.
If its not a problem, then nowt lost. Hell probably appreciate your honesty too, so brownie points.
If you dont tell him and he finds out later then how will he react? If youre borderline on getting an offer it may put him off. If you get the job whatll happen then? Tell him later or keep schtum and see how much muck hits the fan if you have to make a later claim? Tell him, no advantages in not telling him, and no real losses in telling the truth. But you know all that already dont you?
Edit: I dont like to think someone is trying it on with me, Ill bet you dont, and Ill bet no new employer would either.
I was told many years ago by someone I respected greatly, never to volunteer any information to anyone ‘official’, just answer the questions you are being asked. In this case it depends upon what was on the application form, did it mention accidents or have a catch-all question like: "any other relevant information? " if so then you should consider carefully whether you wish to mention this or not.
The application form says this as I’ve got an old one in front of me.
Under Driving licence details. Driving offences/accidents: Please list.
To be honest though, I am learning more towards calling him on Monday and telling him straight up. I’m trying to think of how to word it so I don’t leave him with the impression that I lied to him which was never my intention. I wasn’t aware (a little naive perhaps) that it would be counted as an accident and that my name would be listed in the claim. Given how this came about from trying to get insurance for a 17 year old car, if it was made known to me then I’m pretty sure it will be picked up when they run the checks on the companies insurance when adding a new driver.
You bent the tail lift catching it against a loading dock, if I remember correctly?
Personally, I would settle the worries and give the TM a call. Just explain that you’ve just been getting insurance for your car and they brought up your accident. Explain what it was and that you didn’t even realise it was counted as an accident, otherwise you’d have put it on the form right away.
slowlane:
You bent the tail lift catching it against a loading dock, if I remember correctly?
Personally, I would settle the worries and give the TM a call. Just explain that you’ve just been getting insurance for your car and they brought up your accident. Explain what it was and that you didn’t even realise it was counted as an accident, otherwise you’d have put it on the form right away.
slowlane:
You bent the tail lift catching it against a loading dock, if I remember correctly?
Personally, I would settle the worries and give the TM a call. Just explain that you’ve just been getting insurance for your car and they brought up your accident. Explain what it was and that you didn’t even realise it was counted as an accident, otherwise you’d have put it on the form right away.
in my experience as long as you are honest with a prospective employer and tell him, they don’t really care as long as you don’t bump their motors,i find they usually give you the benefit of the doubt if you are straight with them
The form asks for “driving offences/accidents”. Yours was not a driving accident. Explain that as it’s not a driving accident, you did not mention it before, but now that you tried to insure your car, and it’s logged as an accident, you thought you better let him know. I say this, because the impression is that you want to tell him anyway . If not, keep schtum, and if they ever bring it up, show them the application form and explain that you didn’t mention it, " because it was not a driving accident".
I will call him on Monday and explain. Its better to get it sorted now instead of further down the line when God forbid I have a bump or worse then the insurance starts getting all funny. I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me. I suppose it wasn’t what you would call a “traditional accident”, just me being a numpty. I filled the form out and thought nothing of it. My main car’s insurance was renewed automatically so it was never flagged up until now applying for new insurance.
When I asked the women on the phone about it, wanting to know if it was better to keep quiet about it. She told me that I was right to declare it, my name was there on the MIB as clear as day when she ran the check so if she could see it I’m 100% sure others will be able to see it too. She couldn’t see any details listed about the claim, just my name and the fact that I was named in said claim.
If the worst comes to the worst, they don’t offer me the job. Its better than getting sacked and having non-disclosure following me around everywhere.
For me, any question on a form about accidents & offences relates to RTA’s and points on your license. Bumping your tail lift on a bay doesn’t come under these categories in my eyes, its just an accident at work. You’d surely be forgiven for assuming it didn’t count in the unlikely event it cropped up.
Be super honest and tell them if it’s really eating at your conscience, but I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it.
For me, any question on a form about accidents & offences relates to RTA’s and points on your license. Bumping your tail lift on a bay doesn’t come under these categories in my eyes, its just an accident at work. You’d surely be forgiven for assuming it didn’t count in the unlikely event it cropped up.
Be super honest and tell them if it’s really eating at your conscience, but I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it.
I thought that way until this “accident” actually affected my insurance premium. It bumped it up on my main car by £127. Although it wasn’t claimed on my own insurance the fact that it bumped my premium up regardless is worrying. Given how slippery insurance firms are, using any excuse not to pay out. The more I read about this stuff, the more I’m learning about insurance and the way it operates. Since I was listed as in charge of the vehicle and the one responsible for the damage, my name is the one that appears on the MIB as it records all claims irrespective of who’s insurance you are on and that information is available to all insurers.
For me, any question on a form about accidents & offences relates to RTA’s and points on your license. Bumping your tail lift on a bay doesn’t come under these categories in my eyes, its just an accident at work. You’d surely be forgiven for assuming it didn’t count in the unlikely event it cropped up.
Be super honest and tell them if it’s really eating at your conscience, but I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it.
I thought that way until this “accident” actually affected my insurance premium. It bumped it up on my main car by £127. Although it wasn’t claimed on my own insurance the fact that it bumped my premium up regardless is worrying. Given how slippery insurance firms are, using any excuse not to pay out. The more I read about this stuff, the more I’m learning about insurance and the way it operates. Since I was listed as in charge of the vehicle and the one responsible for the damage, my name is the one that appears on the MIB as it records all claims irrespective of who’s insurance you are on and that information is available to all insurers.
By not declaring it you run the risk of giving your new job a perfect reason to sack you without comeback. Also leaves you exposed for them to chase you for the cost of damage you do if an insurance company doesn’t pay out as you have failed to declare an accident and void cover
In my opinion the reason why the insurance mafia wants every little knock and scrape declared is not because you are an increased risk but just a lawful way of acting like a ■■■■ Turpin and up the anti every year !!
Also cant understand why your employer then put in an insurance claim for the damage sustained unless it ran into thousands as it must affect their insurance costs as well …
raymundo:
In my opinion the reason why the insurance mafia wants every little knock and scrape declared is not because you are an increased risk but just a lawful way of acting like a ■■■■ Turpin and up the anti every year !!
Also cant understand why your employer then put in an insurance claim for the damage sustained unless it ran into thousands as it must affect their insurance costs as well …
I wasn’t told the cost of the repair, only “You cost us a lot of money”. The whole “a lot of money” is open to interpretation as it was only the end plate that I bent. The lifting mechanism and other parts were fine. The problem was that the tail lift maker didn’t stock just the end plate on a tuck under tail lift so they had to make a new one and ship it over. Had the rental place take the old one off, then put the new one on.
For me, any question on a form about accidents & offences relates to RTA’s and points on your license. Bumping your tail lift on a bay doesn’t come under these categories in my eyes, its just an accident at work. You’d surely be forgiven for assuming it didn’t count in the unlikely event it cropped up.
Be super honest and tell them if it’s really eating at your conscience, but I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it.
I thought that way until this “accident” actually affected my insurance premium. It bumped it up on my main car by £127. Although it wasn’t claimed on my own insurance the fact that it bumped my premium up regardless is worrying. Given how slippery insurance firms are, using any excuse not to pay out. The more I read about this stuff, the more I’m learning about insurance and the way it operates. Since I was listed as in charge of the vehicle and the one responsible for the damage, my name is the one that appears on the MIB as it records all claims irrespective of who’s insurance you are on and that information is available to all insurers.
By not declaring it you run the risk of giving your new job a perfect reason to sack you without comeback. Also leaves you exposed for them to chase you for the cost of damage you do if an insurance company doesn’t pay out as you have failed to declare an accident and void cover
I’m thinking the same. As much as I want to bury my head in the sand and ignore this, the consequences are too great to ignore. It may of came to nothing later down the line but you’re right they could chuck me and leave me up a certain creek without a paddle. The fact that my own personal cover increased because of this is reason enough to at the very least tell the TM. I don’t know how company insurance works for haulage firms, I’m guessing the insurance company will want my details to add to the policy.
raymundo:
In my opinion the reason why the insurance mafia wants every little knock and scrape declared is not because you are an increased risk but just a lawful way of acting like a ■■■■ Turpin and up the anti every year !!
Also cant understand why your employer then put in an insurance claim for the damage sustained unless it ran into thousands as it must affect their insurance costs as well …
I wasn’t told the cost of the repair, only “You cost us a lot of money”. The whole “a lot of money” is open to interpretation as it was only the end plate that I bent. The lifting mechanism and other parts were fine. The problem was that the tail lift maker didn’t stock just the end plate on a tuck under tail lift so they had to make a new one and ship it over. Had the rental place take the old one off, then put the new one on.
I would imagine that a whole new lift, delivery and fitting could be several thousand. Also did they hire a truck to replace it? They would add that to the claim if so and suddenly the bill is going up fast
. If not, keep schtum, and if they ever bring it up, show them the application form and explain that you didn’t mention it, " because it was not a driving accident".