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this is quite out of my syllabus
Oct 27, 2013 12:15
10 yrs ago
3 viewers *
English term

operator

English Law/Patents Insurance
Hi. This is from an insurance policy again. The word in the source translates directly as operator (of a motor vehicle) and is used on its own throughout. I have seen it used in English policies as well. Should I change this to driver or leave it as operator. In my mind operator conjures up images of operating a machine, like a digger or something. Is this the correct term in the context I have mentioned?
Many thanks.
Responses
4 +7 Operator
3 +1 operator or driver
3 driver

Discussion

Gül Kaya (asker) Oct 27, 2013:
@Allegro. Yes the source text is in another language - namely Turkish. I wanted to ask here because I wanted confirmation of "operator" as the correct term for insurance purposes. It's now very clear in my mind why operator and not driver is the right word, thanks to the explanations which have been submitted here.
Terry Richards Oct 27, 2013:
Splitting hairs I used to work for an insurance company and nobody likes to split hairs more than them! Operator is the standard industry term and it is more inclusive than driver.
Jean-Claude Gouin Oct 27, 2013:
@ Terry Richards I see that you like splitting hairs! Your argument about not being a driver because he had lost control of the vehicle also applies to the operator because he no longer operates the vehicle.
AllegroTrans Oct 27, 2013:
Asker You talk about a source text. Is this in another language? Might it not be a good idea to post a question from that language, producing some of the relevant text?
Or maybe tell us here what country your insurance contract is from and whether it copuld be interpreted (as in Tony M's example) to mean "operator" of a fleet of vehicles.
Terry Richards Oct 27, 2013:
Can be an operator but not a driver If the operator has lost control of the vehicle or is not in a position to control the vehicle (unconscious perhaps) then they could argue that they were no longer driving as driving implies control of the vehicle. Or somebody could leave the car on a hill without setting the parking brake and the car could run away. They definitely weren't the driver - they weren't even in the car - but they were the operator and they caused the resulting accident.
Lincoln Hui Oct 27, 2013:
Example: The engine explodes as soon as the user starts the vehicle
Gül Kaya (asker) Oct 27, 2013:
This is a compulsory motor vehicle insurance, or third party insurance, and there are no distinctions as to what sort of vehicle is being driven - it's a motor vehicle throughout. So although in essence we're talking about the person actually driving the vehicle here, I think I should stick to operator just in case there is some subtle but important distinction that I am not aware of.

Responses

+7
5 mins
Selected

Operator

Frequently used term for instructions and claim sheets. No need or reason to change it.

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Note added at 56 mins (2013-10-27 13:11:33 GMT)
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One reason why "operator" is used instead of "driver" - "Operator" will cover any action that the "operator" is doing on the vehicle, such as starting the engine, opening the car windows, turning on the wipers, etc. while "driver" covers only the actual movement of the vehicle. In addition, "operator" allows for coverage of any vehicle type, including motorcycles.
Peer comment(s):
agree Tony M : And in any case, it need not necessarily be the actual driver; cf. the idea of a 'fleet operator' — someone who manages a whole fleet of cars, but doesn't necessarily drive any of them! This MAY be an important distinction!
11 mins
neutral Yvonne Gallagher : there might be "reason to change it" if it's a simple driver.
39 mins
A simple driver is still "operating" the vehicle and is often referred to as "operator".
agree Andrea Burde (X) : for insurance purposes "operator" is the proper term.
58 mins
agree Tina Vonhof (X)
2 hrs
agree Terry Richards : See my discussion entry.
4 hrs
agree AllegroTrans
4 hrs
agree lazarustke : Absolutly agree with Auburde this is the way it is used in insurance.
8 hrs
agree Phong Le
15 hrs
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3 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you!"
27 mins

driver

In my neck of the woods, he who operates a motor vehicle is a driver. 'Operator' is a fancy word ...
Peer comment(s):
neutral Tony M : Yes, but it is possible there is an added nuance of meaning here that Asker will probably need to check.
3 mins
I agree with the possibility of a nuance ... in the law or in the lingo/jargon of the insurance industry ...
neutral AllegroTrans : It's not a matter of a "human" interpretation, it's all a matter of what the insurance industry uses; and if the "vehicle" is a fixed crane, the term is quite obviously "operator" and not "driver" - lateral thinking is needed in this game
8 hrs
I always knew that insurance companies were not human ...
Something went wrong...
+1
43 mins

operator or driver


medium confidence because you need to check WHICH it is here. Is it machinery or leased-out vehicles?

The driver is the person driving which is simple enough but an "operator" is someone leasing out a vehicle

You're right. "Operator" can also be used as a synonym for "driver" when talking of operating heavy machinery, diggers and so on.

owner-operator - Insurance Glossary

owner-operator - An independent motor carrier who leases his or her vehicle, with
driver, to another motor carrier, either on a permanent or a short-term basis ...
www.irmi.com/online/insurance-glossary/terms/o/owner-operat...
Peer comment(s):
agree Tony M
5 mins
thanks Tony
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