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Written by Michael Foote, Insurance Expert
Many Businesses Use Non-Permanent Drivers
If your business experiences seasonal spikes, covers staff sickness, or runs short-term contracts, you’ve probably relied on agency or temporary drivers at some point. While a fleet policy offers flexibility, it doesn’t necessarily automatically mean any person can drive any vehicle at any time, especially when those drivers aren’t full-time employees.
Whether temporary drivers are covered depends on how your policy is set up, and failing to check the details could leave you uninsured if something goes wrong.
Check the Policy Wording Carefully
Some fleet policies include an open driving clause, often referred to as any driver cover. But even these clauses usually come with conditions such as age limits, licence types, or minimum driving experience.
If your policy is restricted to named drivers or requires you to notify the insurer when a new driver is added, using a temporary worker without doing so could invalidate the cover for that vehicle.
You’ll also need to check whether your insurer requires proof of employment status. Some don’t allow third-party contractors or agency workers under standard fleet terms unless they’re treated as employees for insurance purposes.
What About Agency Workers?
Drivers supplied by an agency are typically classed as independent contractors. That can be a red flag for some insurers unless there’s clear evidence that the drivers are qualified, vetted, and under your control while on duty.
In some cases, you’ll be expected to take out additional cover or request written confirmation that the agency holds its own insurance to cover the driver while they are operating your vehicles.
Don’t assume that an agency-supplied driver is covered by your fleet policy just because they’re on shift. It’s one of the most common grey areas that leads to problems during claims.
Author Note: If you are in any doubt, speak to your insurance provider or broker. If you do not have one yet, you can get no-obligation expert advice from fleet insurance specialists by clicking the Get Quotes button on this page.
What You Can Do to Stay Covered
The safest approach is to agree in advance with your insurer how temporary and agency drivers will be handled. If you use the same pool of temps regularly, consider listing them individually or asking your broker to negotiate a more flexible any driver clause with specific limits in place.
If you only occasionally bring in outside drivers, create a checklist for internal use. That should include checking their licence, logging their hours, and contacting your insurer before they take the wheel.
You may also want to explore any driver van cover if your business needs maximum flexibility. Just be aware this type of cover usually comes with stricter terms and higher premiums to reflect the additional risk.
Conclusion
Some fleet policies will cover temporary or agency drivers, but not all. It depends on how the policy is structured and what level of control you have over who drives your vehicles. To avoid unexpected exclusions or rejected claims, be clear with your insurer from the outset and always declare when someone new is operating your vehicles, even if it’s only for a day.
