Posted By MT
I think I'll come and work for your local authority! The one I work for has no regard for the safety of their staff who are out driving as part of their work. I skidded on black ice in January and received no help whatsoever with the recovery of my vehicle or payment of my insurance excess, and after all, the journey I was making was not of my choosing.

Sounds like you work for one of the better authorities, who take an interest in their staff's safety and wellbeing.

I for one would like to see a recovery service provided for staff using their own vehicles for company business and also help with paying insurance excess following an accident, which was not my fault and on a journey which I had to make on their behalf.

Posted By MT
You're right, the rates are far from adequate, and once the authority implements Single Status, I will see the amount I am reimbursed for the authority's use of my car decrease significantly. It in no way reflects the additional wear and tear on my vehicle caused by the business miles I drive each year.

Anyway, I think this discussion is veering way off topic, so I'll leave it there.

Posted By Linda Westrupp
I also work for a large LA and we don't provide this. In fact this one does not allow essential car user either so everyone is on casual user. this is despite the fact that JDs and job adverts state that you should have access to a car for work and there are rules about the type of insurance you need. There is even a written requirement to carry passengers as part of work. The only provision here is that there is an additional insurance scheme (which you pay yourself) to cover parking on staff car parks, and a couple of 'pool' vehicles which you can book if you don't want to use your own car. These, however, are vans but at least they are covered by a recovery service. I now tell staff who need to drive any distance, especially transporting a Service User, to book a pool vehicle so they are covered in case of breakdowns/accidents etc. Oh, and you don't get anything towards your excess if you are in an accident, another reason for taking the pool van.
Linda