Personal Vehicle Use to Transport Company Equipment?

[Ddraig]

Hello,

I work for county government and I have to transport PC equipment in my personal vehicle. I drive a 2004 Mini Cooper S which is almost a year old and I have to transport huge computers and monitors in the back of it. It is scratching up the plastic pretty badly and has actually ripped the leather on my seat.

I am curious how many of you fall into the same catagory that I do. Also if you know of any laws, rules, regulations, possible insurance issues, or anything (perhaps point me in the right direction) that I can use to get my IT department to purchase a decient vehicle to transport computer equipment in?

Thanks,
Owen

 

[mrdenny]

I don't think that you will be able to get them to purchase a vehicle for this purpose. Check with your local state labor bored. There are laws which cover compensation and repair for damage of personal property.

If nothing else those repairs should be tax deductable as a non-rembursed business expense.

Denny

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

 

[dyarwood]

I would check your insurance policy. Some do not allow use for business.

 

[mrdenny]

This is true. If your insurance company finds out about it, they will probably raise your rates.

Denny

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

 

[dyarwood]

Or if you have a crash whilst using the carr business use, they may say that you are not covered for that. Bad news if your car gets written off.

 

[chiph]

Ddraig -

I used to have a 2003 Cooper S, and the plastic is indeed very soft and easily scratched.

I would (gently) point out the liability danger to the county of your using your personal car for business purposes. Not only is there the traffic accident danger, but what if your car were to be broken into and the equipment stolen? They would be out of the equipment, you would have a broken window and looking to get them to pay to fix it, and they would be angry at you for "letting" it happen. Bad news all around.

Tell them to buy an older minivan or pickup from one of the consficated vehicle auctions. For now, just take the boss out there and show him the damage, and say something like "I don't mind an occasional trip, but carrying that computer stuff is tearing up my new car." (It helps if the car is freshly washed & waxed).

Oh, and slow down in the curves. It'll keep stuff from banging around and extend the life of those expensive run-flats.


Chip H.


____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[mrdenny]

Ddraig, you work for the county. See if you can't get an old pickup transfered to you from the county jail, or a state prision. They are always getting new trucks and stuff, and they usually just keep the old stuff laying around doing nothing.

Also check with the local county sheriff's office. They may have a cop car that they are retiring, that after removing all the comptuers, lights, sirens, radar guns, etc from your department might be able to get there hands on cheep or free.

Denny

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

 

[ecobb]

...after removing all the comptuers, lights, sirens, radar guns, etc...

But that would take all of the fun out of getting the cop car!



Hope This Helps!

Ecobb
Beer Consumption Analyst

"My work is a game, a very serious game." - M.C. Escher

 

[GoddessOfTech]

1. I would not mention it to your insurance company. For reasons already mentioned and they probably will tell you to go to your employer for work related damage other than an accident and what not.

2. As an employer, it is my responsibility to make sure my technicians who use personal vehicles have current licenses and insurance. If an employee is in an accident while on company business, his insurance carrier contacts mine and it is sorted out between them. Also, my insurance does cover damage to vehicles such as you are describing but most employers will fight you over it especially if it can be explained by other, normal wear and tear.

3. I am apalled (although not surprised) that a government associated organisation would require their employee to transport large equipment with a vehicle that is not intended for cargo transport.

I certainly would bring this up to your supervisor/manager and if you have to...the county board. If not to get the damage fixed, to simply put an end to using your personal vehicle for large objects that are technically not your repsonsibility to transport in your personal vehicle.

 

[ttmac]

Who is responsible for the equipment when it is in your possession?

If any of this equipment is damaged will your employer hold you responsible for it?

Is this equipment covered by your employers insurance when it is no longer on the employers premises?

Take a worst case scenario: - If the equipment is damaged when in your possession and you have to claim against your insurance to replace the equipment, who will pay the increased premiums? If you notify your insurance company that you will be using your vehicle to transport the equipment and they levy an increased premium, who will pay?

I am aware of cases where such equipment will be sent by taxi, courier or freight agents to remote offices and when the equipment arrives the employees will drive themselves in their own car to the site to carry out the installation/commission of the equipment. These employees are personally responsible for the equipment when it is in their possession while offsite. They are not prepared to risk their insurance policies or their discounts for a perhaps one time incident. This way the employer pays and the handler is reponsible.

 

[johnherman]

Printing a copy of this thread and taking it with you when you talk to your boss might be a good idea, too. That way the boss can see what others think about your work arrangement.

Of course, alot depends on how well you get along with your boss, who might not be particularly pleased that you have publicized this issue, albeit fairly anonymously.

-------------------------
The trouble with doing something right the first time is that noboby appreciates how difficult it was.
- Steven Wright

 

[Ddraig]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I don't think we will be contacting our insurance company. But I have a friend in the office that has to use his car with the same situation as me. So right now we're going through our company at the moment to figure out who is responsible for what. Trying to do it as quiet as possible to see if it is worth pursuing especially since the environment I'm in doesn't like disent.

 

[Marcs41]

One question.
Do they PAY you for that transportation?
If so, you don't have much to argument if you accepted that.
If not, park the car around the corner and get to work on a bike, tell them your car broke down. ;-)

Marc [santa2]
_{If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, expect random guesses or no replies at all.
Free Tip: The F1 Key does NOT destroy your PC!}
Don't forget to shop @

http://www.cafepress.com/tektips

for Christmas!