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

ActingDanClark · 20-03-2018 07:30PM #1

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 · 20-03-2018 07:51PM

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 · 20-03-2018 07:53PM

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 · 20-03-2018 08:51PM

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 · 20-03-2018 09:34PM

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

ActingDanClark · 20-03-2018 09:37PM

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

treascon · 20-03-2018 09:45PM

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 · 20-03-2018 09:49PM

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

treascon · 20-03-2018 09:56PM

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

Mrs OBumble · 20-03-2018 10:32PM

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 · 21-03-2018 07:21AM

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

treascon · 21-03-2018 08:21AM

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

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

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