IF the staff in your company use their own private cars on your business, then this could be for you: Smartdriverclub.

Smartdriverclub provides the level of cover that you, as a business owner, should have over the employees’ using private cars for work – in the industry jargon this is called the ‘grey fleet’.

Why? Because employers’ duty of care and health and safety responsibilities very much apply to those private cars driven on business as much as they do to company cars – read this: Tackling the issue of private cars on business.

Now Smartdriverclub uses self-installed telematics technology to help tackle the perennial issues associated with grey fleet management, such as verifying fuel expenses, meeting duty of care obligations and supporting environmental responsibilities.

A first for the UK, it gives businesses the ability to protect their drivers and their pockets using in-car connectivity in vehicles made in or after 2008.  It costs just £6.60 per month and is the brainchild of motor industry expert Penny Searles.

Once a business has signed up to Smartdriverclub, their nominated grey fleet drivers are sent a Smartplug – which they insert in an easily accessed socket in their vehicle, normally underneath the steering column.  They can then view all of their Smartdriverclub services via their smartphone using the free Smartdriverclub app called ‘Viewpoint’ or online via their laptop or tablet.

This information, with the driver’s consent, is also made available to the business owner or the director responsible for looking after the company’s business cars.

Smartdriverclub offers essential safety features like automatic emergency assistance, breakdown help that can see the driver’s location to find them faster, theft tracking that can speed up police recovery and a digital mechanic that can identify faults to help motorists avoid worsening the damage or even prevent a breakdown.

Penny Searles, CEO of Smartdriverclub, says:  “We see a real market for this service in the SME sector where resource for managing the grey fleet is scarce and therefore containing cost and managing risk is a major headache.

“Given that 62% of private car use is for work-related activity, it’s important businesses have a firm grasp of the grey fleet and can ensure support is there for the driver when needed.

“Smartdriverclub works quietly behind the scenes enabling businesses to receive information directly from the car such as mileage, fault codes and battery low alerts so that they can just check in with the driver to ensure any maintenance issues are being addressed.

“By offering benefits such as crash alerts, theft tracking, fuel consumption and early fault warnings, Smartdriverclub can help businesses support their duty of care responsibilities and contain their costs.   It also sends a positive message to employees that their welfare is the first priority.”

The service can be provided as a white label offering (or Smartdriverclub branding can be used) and made accessible via the business’s website and social media channels.

SmartDriverClub comprises the following services:

• My Mechanic – This will alert a motorist if a car problem crops up, suggest what they can do about it and find a local dealer they can talk to.
• Crash Assistance – If the customer is in a collision and Smartdriverclub can’t reach the customer on their mobile phone, they will contact the emergency services and direct them to the location.
• Stolen Car – An in-car tracker activated by the customer means that if it’s stolen, the police should know exactly where to look.
• Breakdown Help – Smartdriverclub will inform roadside assistance so they know where the customer is and have useful information about their car.
• My Driving – Motorists can save money on fuel costs by seeing how efficiently their car performs on each journey with a smart driving history that helps them manage fuel use.
• My Deals – Customers can save money on everything from servicing to new tyres. Just tap through the app for the latest deal from their dealership.
• Value My Car – Smartdriverclub provides a valuation of the customer’s car that’s actually based on their car so that they can use this instant price for better deals and finance.
• Where Did I Park? – A handy little map is provided to those that have forgotten where they parked
• Club Insurance – from June –  Preferential rates for good drivers based on their driving behaviour, to ensure customers are not paying for the poor behaviour of others.
• Car Wi-Fi optional – Family car journeys are always a challenge especially with teenagers in the back seat desperate to upload the latest selfie or to connect with their friends on chat. A connected road trip could also mean a blissful journey with everyone occupied in the car.