Transporting clients in personal vehicle?

I work in human services and I've noticed that this has been an issue lately with some of my clients needing rides to places because there really was no other way to get there, and their services/health/safety could be jeopardized otherwise. I've done it a couple of times, but I am really NOT comfortable.

Often it's been last minute stuff, where I couldn't get them transportation some other way.

My boss told me "it's up to me" if I choose to do this or not. Anyone else been put in this situation? What do you do?

Re: Transporting clients in personal vehicle?

i have no experience with this...but...(and i may be wrong)...i think you can have additional insurance on your vehicle for purposes such as this. I'd call your carrier and then find out the information...perhaps your job can pay you the difference?

Re: Transporting clients in personal vehicle?

Yeah, I heard of something like that, but honestly, I am not willing to go that route. In the past, my insurance guy has also advised against it.

Re: Transporting clients in personal vehicle?

yeah, I wouldn't be comfortable with it at all, myself. I even get wary going out to lunch at work with co-workers...you just never know!

I say do what you feel comfortable with.
Anytime anyone is in your car, they are your responsibilty.

Re: Transporting clients in personal vehicle?

I have done it once or twice and was paranoid....just something I am not ok with. At my job we have "drivers" so since it freaks me out so bad, I would rather call a driver then do it myself, even though i could do it faster. There is a reason we have drivers, insurance, liability, etc...I shouldn't be part of that equation, it is not part of my job description to be honest, its just me being nice, so when I think of it that way, i don't feel bad for making a client wait 15 min.

Re: Transporting clients in personal vehicle?

I would not do it.

There is no reason unless the company pays for your vehicle (gas, insurance, etc..) as part of your job duty to do this.

To much liability for you.

You need your company to include this as part of your job responsibility AND pays for it (extra insurance, gas, tolls, etc..) anything related to the extra expense and liabilty to this "function".

Re: Transporting clients in personal vehicle?

I worked at a few places for adolescents in various roles as a social worker, etc.

2 places, we were absolutely not allowed to ever take any of the kids in our personal vehicles no matter what the reason or length of time.

1 place, we were REQUIRED to use our personal vehicle. I wound up writing off my car payments, lots of gas and mileage when it came to tax time, but it still made me uncomfortable. Looking back, I'm lucky that nothing bad ever happened.

The 2 places that I was not allowed to have the kids in my car were much more professional agencies overall; the 3rd place was kind of corrupt so I'm not suprised that they required me to do things like that.

Re: Transporting clients in personal vehicle?

I know the dilemma you face. we face it too although my dad does the driving but he won't be able to drive my brother forever.

Now the therapists and social workers go in my dad's car.

My bro won't take a cab even with his therapists.

We found out that the agency/group does not reimburse the staff for mileage/car expenses.

I really think this part of the waiver needs fixing.

Re: Transporting clients in personal vehicle?

I email those in charge of my agency at least once a week that they need to apply as an agency to provide waiver transportation. I will keep pushing the issue because SO MANY clients could benefit.

Re: Transporting clients in personal vehicle?

Re: Transporting clients in personal vehicle?

Medicaid will pay for transportation to medical appointments so that's not usually an issue.

From what I understand, waiver transportation (which NO TBI agency on LI provides!) would be able to take a participant anywhere they wanted/needed to go. Sorta like SCAT or Ableride, but only for waiver people.

Re: Transporting clients in personal vehicle?

Re: Transporting clients in personal vehicle?

I refuse to do it for many reasons. I'm not sure if I can explain the reasons very well. First of all, I find that clients take things more seriously when they have to figure out their own way there. I also find that when I give an inch some people take a yard. I give so much time to my clients and I am very informal with them. I have to draw the line on that somewhere. There are also insurance issues that I just do not want to get into. If a client wants something, they will get there.

Re: Transporting clients in personal vehicle?