We have an au pair, and our handbook states that if she is off-duty driving our car, she is responsible for the deductible ($500). If she is on duty, we will pay the deductible for any accidents. That said, we also explain that if she has more than one accident, we may either remove car privileges or rematch (depending on whether or not we need her to drive as a requirement of the position).

If she was off-duty, definitely she should pay the deductible. I get that your insurance will now be going up and that stinks - it's one of the things to think about when you have a nanny or an au pair driving. This is yet another reason why it bothers me when au pairs and others act like employers are being totally unreasonable when they aren't given driving privileges. This is something that can substantially raise an employer's insurance costs even after the au pair is long gone.

This exactly.

Anonymous wrote:1. Who ever stated that Nanny was on her phone at the time of the accident?

2. Everyone saying that she was driving in off hours means that she should pay, wasnt she allowed to drive in "off" hours? It is one thing if she is only to drive the car with the kids, but the OP made it sound like the car is the nanny's car paid for by the family. She was not doing anything wrong at the time of getting into an accident.

Sure, she was allowed to drive and OP gives her use of a car. But if you're driving during off hours and you cause an accident, you pay the deductible. I can't imagine driving someone else's car, causing an accident, and expecting the person who owns the car to pay the deductible.

1. Who ever stated that Nanny was on her phone at the time of the accident?

2. Everyone saying that she was driving in off hours means that she should pay, wasnt she allowed to drive in "off" hours? It is one thing if she is only to drive the car with the kids, but the OP made it sound like the car is the nanny's car paid for by the family. She was not doing anything wrong at the time of getting into an accident.

Ultimately, I would be a little annoyed if my nanny didn't at least offer to pay for it. I wouldn't expect her to, but I think offering to pay for something you break (in this case a car) is just a sign of a good character. I understand how easy it is to get into a car accident and it not be the driver's fault. DH and I were in an accident a couple of weekends ago when a driver just blew through a stop sign and the car in front of us slammed on his breaks. DH slammed on his breaks as well and thankfully it was only a minor fender bender.

That said, if it came back that my nanny was on her phone at the time of the accident, I'd be a little wary of her driving my children around. I'm very strict about being on your phone while driving (for any reason not just texting) after my SIL got hit by a car while the driver was putting a new playlist on Pandora. Thankfully she was not permanently disabled. But, this is in the contract and nanny knows how serious of an offense it would be if I found out she was using her phone while driving.

I can not imagine that I would lend anyone my car if I thought they had such poor character as to not immediately offer to pay for repairs. When you damage something of someone else's you fix or replace it. It's that simple.

You would seriously expect your au pair who makes, what $200-$250 a week to pay your $500 deductible?? I understand that you would want them to take responsibility but seriously, that's just outrageous. If families provide a car, and stipulate that the driver be responsible for the deductible, would it really kill you to up your insurance premium by $50 a year (roughly the cost of changing to a $200 deductible) so that your nanny/au pair could actually afford it...
When people cut corners in one avenue, it usually shows up in other places as well...I feel bad for your au pair.

We have an au pair, and our handbook states that if she is off-duty driving our car, she is responsible for the deductible ($500). If she is on duty, we will pay the deductible for any accidents. That said, we also explain that if she has more than one accident, we may either remove car privileges or rematch (depending on whether or not we need her to drive as a requirement of the position).

If she was off-duty, definitely she should pay the deductible. I get that your insurance will now be going up and that stinks - it's one of the things to think about when you have a nanny or an au pair driving. This is yet another reason why it bothers me when au pairs and others act like employers are being totally unreasonable when they aren't given driving privileges. This is something that can substantially raise an employer's insurance costs even after the au pair is long gone.

What would you do if the accident was during work hours for work related driving? Would you have the nanny pay the deductible, or pay it yourself?

It's up too you. This is something that should be spoken about ahead of time although alot don't think of these things happening.

My parents are very safe drivers and haven't gotten into a car accident (aside from over 25 years ago when my father was a teenager once).. However, my brother is a little more careless and has gotten into 3 accidents in 5 years.

My point is that she wasn't careful, although I'm sure it was a accident.. If she's in your car she needs to be more attentive and less careless. Whatever you decide please speak too her so this doesn't happen again and if it does then she will be held completely responsible.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless nanny is paid a super livable wage, I'll bet she moves on if she's asked to pay.

Can I honestly ask why you think this? She was driving in her off time and not doing any work related things. Why shouldnt shr be responsible for the deductible? I once worked for a family who provided a car for me, and if I had gotten in an accident durinf my off hours, I would totally expect to shell out some money.

If they pay you enough to shell some out, that's great.

She should pay deductible if it was her fault, but no more.

If you decide not o submit it, thats on you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless nanny is paid a super livable wage, I'll bet she moves on if she's asked to pay.

Can I honestly ask why you think this? She was driving in her off time and not doing any work related things. Why shouldnt shr be responsible for the deductible? I once worked for a family who provided a car for me, and if I had gotten in an accident durinf my off hours, I would totally expect to shell out some money.

I think that poster was talking about the nanny not paying the entire 2000 because if thy went through insurance she would only have to pay the deductible.

Anonymous wrote:Unless nanny is paid a super livable wage, I'll bet she moves on if she's asked to pay.

Can I honestly ask why you think this? She was driving in her off time and not doing any work related things. Why shouldnt shr be responsible for the deductible? I once worked for a family who provided a car for me, and if I had gotten in an accident durinf my off hours, I would totally expect to shell out some money.

agree above