Driving minibus as a sole trader- public liability insurance required?

ActingDanClark

Am driving a minibus for a transport company bringing children to school. Operater has requested I become a sole trader and I agreed- am I exposed to public liability or would his PLI cover me?

treascon

If you are going to operate this business in your own name you will need your own insurance policy on the minibus. The transport company’s policy won’t suffice

An Ri rua

You would also need to check your tax status. If you're pretty much only driving for him, you're an employee no matter what he requests.

ActingDanClark

Thanks! No I'm not operating a business in my own name, the company has a contract with bus eireann. I've declared my sole trader status to revenue

treascon

Then why does the operator want you to become a sole trader?

ActingDanClark

Company is not paying employer prsi anymore and doesn't have to pay accountant to process payments to me

treascon

So would you still be registered as an employee of the company? From the details you have given I would say that you wouldn’t be

ActingDanClark

That's my thinking and my reason for starting this thread

treascon

Then I would stand by my opinion that you would need your own insurance. You should consult with a good insurance broker

Mrs OBumble

Who owns the bus you would be driving? I'm not sure you could even get PL insurance if driving a bus owned by another company.


Do you realise you're also losing your holiday pay and unemployment insurance?

ActingDanClark

The company with the contract owns the bus. I'm aware of holiday pay/ insurance thanks

treascon

You won’t get insurance on a bus you don’t own