If you are working in the motor trade then you need motor trade insurance, with the most appropriate cover. And that means finding the suitable quotes from the specialists. It’s not easy to find what you consider is the perfect motor trade insurance policy that fits all the unique aspects of your business – but we’re here to help!
The price comparison service can help to point you in the direction of insurance providers who’ll ensure that you get the most cost-effective and appropriate cover for your traders’ policy. This leaves you to get on with running your business, without having to worry about what needs to be covered.
With just a few clicks, you can get suitable insurance quotes for your motor trade business from a panel of providers. You’ll find:
- Specialist Motor Trade Insurance Providers
- Comparable Motor Trader Cover Quote Prices
- Almost Instant Policy Documentation
- Insurance For Full & Part-Time Motor Traders
- Multiple Traders Insurance Cover Types
Cover types are essential for your motor trade insurance policy. The panel of insurance providers can offer you a wide selection of numerous cover types that include:
- Mobile Mechanics Cover
- Traders Working From Home Cover
- Cover For Road Risk & Combined Premises
- Public & Employers Liability Cover
Simply click below now to find the insurance that’s the most appropriate fit your motor trade business!
A guide to motor trade insurance
If you’re exploring the world of motor trade insurance, things can get a tad confusing. But never fear, because we can guide you through the different types of cover and insurance options that you need. We’ll even tell you how to save money on your insurance, because we understand that every penny you save is a little extra profit for your pockets!
Before we get to that though, we need to cover the basics.
What is motor trade insurance?
It’s not always an easy one to answer. But put simply, motor trade insurance is cover for any business that is in the care, custody, or control of a customer’s vehicle, or is involved in the sale of vehicles to a customer.
This can include the following business types:
If your business falls into one of the above categories, then you’ll need motor trade insurance. We’ll discuss some of these in more detail below.
In short, anyone who is involved in the motor trade in any capacity from buying and selling to mending or cleaning requires the appropriate level of motor trade insurance to protect both themselves and their customer in the event of an issue. It doesn’t matter what sort of premises you have or what hours you work any individual who works in any motor associated jobs should ensure they have cover in place.
It is accepted that “motor trade” is a somewhat broad term that covers rather a lot. However anyone working with vehicles in some capacity may require a policy.
Sales
Aimed at those who buy and sell vehicles to make a profit, whether they work full or part-time, vehicle sales insurance policies are a must. Policies can be tailored to suit those who work from home or have business premises and can also include cover for things like vehicles in stock, goods-in-transit and in some cases buildings and contents, money and tools.
Mechanics
A mechanic needs a policy that covers them for such things as the work they carry out and driving customers vehicles (which they may need to do for diagnostic purposes). It also needs to cover any tools and equipment that they require to do their job. Some mechanics sell parts as well as fitting them and will benefit from Sales and Service Liability which will protect them should anything go wrong with parts they fit or work they complete.
Body Shops
Specific body shop insurance can cover machinery, tools and equipment – it can be tailored to what a business has and the kind of premises they occupy. It can also cover any vehicles, including courtesy cars. Those businesses that have employees should add employers’ liability to the cover they chose and may want to consider both Public Liability and Sales and Service Indemnity, as appropriate, to cover and work that is carried out.
Recovery of Vehicles
Any insurance policy taken out by an individual working in the business of vehicle recovery, whether they run their own business or are employed as a sub-contractor, needs to cover the recovery vehicles and any vehicles they need to recover. Tools and equipment, in addition to premises, may also need to be covered. Again, if there are any employees, then Employers’ Liability is a must to cover those involved in the actual vehicle recovery as well as any office-based staff.
Tyre Fitters
Tyre fitters require a policy that will cover them for moving customers cars, it should also cover them for any work that they do and the parts that they use. If you have lifting equipment and vehicle ramps, then you may also want to cover them and any individuals you employ. There is appropriate cover available for tyre fitters who work both full or part-time.
Valeters
Anyone who valets or details vehicles for a living, whether mobile, working from home or from a specific premise should obtain appropriate insurance cover. This needs to cover not only the possibility that you might need to move customers vehicles but also protect any tools, stock and equipment against damage or theft. Individuals in the valeting industry work with chemicals and cleaning products which may cause accidents, so it is wise to make sure you are covered for this as well.
Mechanics (Mobile)
Insurance for a mobile mechanic should cover your own vehicle as well as any tools and equipment that you use for your work. It will also cover any testing and diagnostic work you need to carry out on customer vehicles. Public Liability insurance is a must as you will be working where a customer needs you, and this will protect you against any claims that might be made by a member of the public for injury or property damage. Cover for parts you use should also be considered in the form of Sales and Service Indemnity, there is always a chance that something might go wrong, so it is better to be covered.
Car jockeys
Those individuals who move customers vehicles from one place to another, usually a storage site or designated premises, are referred to as car jockeys. While this might only necessitate the need to move a vehicle just a short distance, for example, airport storage, it is still essential to make sure you have insurance in place to cover both you and your customer. This cover may include your premises, any buildings and their contents including any equipment that you might have. You may need to consider offering both employers’ and public liability insurance as well.
What Is covered under your motor trade insurance policy?
Motor trade insurance is there to cover you, and your staff, to look after all the vehicles that are under the care of your business. You can put specific drivers on your policy, or use ‘any driver’ options to cover anyone in your business to drive without being specifically named on the policy. It’s very important to note though, that even if you have ‘any driver’ cover, you may still need to notify an insurer of certain named drivers. Please check with your insurance provider directly, or read your policy documentation, to know when this is necessary.
Did you know?
With a combined motor trade insurance policy, you can cover every aspect of your business, from your vehicles and premises to tools and cash.Your motor traders’ insurance policy can also cover you for more than just business needs. You can get cover for social, domestic and pleasure purposes too. But it’s important to understand that traders’ insurance is not an ‘any vehicle’ insurance policy for all your personal vehicles. The vehicles you own outside of your business should still have their own private motor insurance. Motor trade insurance covers your business’ needs, and it shouldn’t be used to get cover for vehicle uses outside of that. This is specialist insurance for genuine businesses working within the motor trade industry.
It’s also worth noting that trade insurance is different from other business insurance policies. CleanGreenCars provides quotes from a panel of insurers for other business insurance such as: Fleet Insurance, Taxi Insurance, Truck Insurance and Courier Insurance.
Your options in motor trade insurance
This is the meat and potatoes of your motor trade insurance policy. You need to know how your policy covers your business, and the choices you have to extend your insurance cover. Breaking it down, these are the options available for you:
- Parts Only – This cover will offer you insurance only for parts and will not cover any of your vehicles on the road.
- Road Risks – This is the minimum level cover you’ll need in a traders’ insurance policy. It provides cover for you and your staff to be able to work on and/or transport customer vehicles as required. Just like your private motor insurance, you can choose from three levels of cover:
- Third party only (TPO) – which covers only the minimum of third party damage.
- Third party, fire and theft (TPFT) – which is TPO cover but with fire, theft, and criminal damage included.
- Comprehensive – which ensures cover for all the above, as well as personal effects cover, windscreen damage, medical costs, and accidental damage.
- Combined Motor Trade Insurance – Combined traders’ insurance is true peace of mind. It’s a type of cover that enables you to protect every part of your business. So, as well as covering your company and customer vehicles, it also covers your premises, tools, stock and cash as well.
- Part-Time Motor Trade Insurance – If you work in the motor trade on a part-time basis, then you can get a flexible policy that covers you only for the period of time that you need.
Did you know?
With a motor trade insurance policy, you can cover the vehicles you work on as well as your company vehicles.Who needs business motor trade insurance?
The term motor trade insurance or traders insurance is the name given to the category of insurance policy the is recommended for those individuals who work in the motor industry. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Traders – anyone who buys or sells vehicles for a profit.
- Mechanics – both mobile and garage-based mechanics who fix vehicles.
- Valeters – those who work cleaning vehicles.
- Car jockeys – individuals who are employed in moving vehicles from one place to another.
- Vehicle recovery agents – those who recover broken down vehicles.
In Summary
- Motor trade insurance is for traders only.
- If you are in any business where you are in the care, custody or control of a customer’s vehicle, you need traders’ insurance.
- If your business sells vehicles, then you also need a motor trade insurance policy.
- You can get any driver cover, as well as named driver policies.
- All of your vehicles can be covered, but always have your own insurance for personal use.
- There are many cover types for traders’ insurance – make sure you get the one that suits your needs.
- Always be on the look out for ways to reduce premiums through safe drivers and avoiding unnecessary extras on your policy.
Additional cover options for your motor trade business
Motor Traders are also able to avail themselves of a number of other Liability products:
Employers’ Liability – Any business with employees needs to take out Employers’ Liability by law, it covers them for any illness or personal injuries that result from doing work for a client.
Public Liability – This covers a motor trader for any in the event of a member of the public making a claim for a personal injury or damage to their property.
Product Liability – Sometimes referred to as Sales and Service Indemnity, this covers any parts that you might use to carry out work on a client’s vehicle in case of faults.
Things to consider when arranging cover
There are several things that you should take into consideration when it comes to arranging your motor trade insurance policy. The single most important thing to remember is that you should never make any false claims about your circumstances. Any policy that you take out is based on the details that you provide at the time of asking for a quote; your premiums, as well as the cover, are based on this. While there are some answers that you might be aware will increase the price of your premiums, lying about them or leaving out these details to obtain a reduced premium may cause you further issues further down the line. Should your insurance company find out that you have lied or omitted to the truth they can cancel your policy, void it or reject any claims that you have pending. If by law, you are required to have cover them this could give you further issues. It may also lead to it being difficult for you to get insurance cover at any time in the future.
Who should be on your policy?
Careful consideration should be given to how many drivers you add to your motor trade insurance policy; the more people you add, the more of an insurance risk you are to your provider because there is more likelihood of an accident.
So, whether you want to add members of your own family, a business partner or employees weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of them being on your policy. If you want to keep your premiums down this is very important.
Also, remember that any drivers under the age of 25 are typically seen as a higher insurance risk and will also contribute to higher premiums levied. If you are considering anyone who has a criminal conviction or a driving conviction than they may at best make your premiums higher, or at worst make it difficult for you to obtain cover.
Before you find the most appropriate motor trade insurance for your business, you should take a long hard look at your business and conduct a thorough review so that you do not miss anything. If you plan to make any changes soon, consider whether they will have an impact on your insurance.
The law
Make sure that you understand what is required in terms of insurance for your business to be operating within the law. At the very least you will require Third Party cover, but there are also additional costs such as Employers’ Liability cover that you might need to consider.
Be honest
It can’t be stressed enough just how crucial it is to ensure that the information you give when taking out your policy is 100% correct. If you have any questions or are unsure of anything, check it.
You need to be upfront about your claims history in full, and also where vehicles are stored; because if you are not then you run the risk of your policy being cancelled, this will leave you without over and may make it difficult for you to get any cover from an alternative provider.
If you only operate your business as a part-time concern, then you need a policy that accommodates that – there are specific policies for part-time traders. If you get regular motor trade insurance cover but do not actually qualify for it, then you will likely have any ongoing claims rejected, and the insurance cancelled.
Additional products
You will probably be offered a number of additional products to go with your cover. Do not reject them out of hand. Give some careful consideration to what value, if any, they might add to your policy in terms of the cover that they afford you.
The most suitable vehicle trade insurance for you
The cover that you are looking for is the one that is most appropriate for your business, and what is right for another company in the same industry may not be the right one for you.
There are policies that cost less but that may not offer you everything that you need and policies that will offer you everything you could possibly need, and some things you might not need. There will also be the one that is suitable for you.
It isn’t necessary to take out cover for anything that you simply don’t need for example on an insurance policy for a mobile mechanic you may not need demonstration cover. What you consider is the cheapest policy may not offer you enough protection or the correct sort of cover, so be sure to check all the details.
Consult a motor insurance specialist
Insurance can be confusing, and there are so many variables that it is well worth considering speaking to a company who are specialist motor trade insurance providers. They will be able to find the correct type of policy for you, one that will cover all aspects of your business including offering you the most appropriate indemnity covers.
Money saving tips for your motor trade insurance
Now, for the juicy part. You want to know how to save yourself some extra cash when taking out a traders’ insurance policy. Well, you’re already on our website, so you’ve made a good start!
But as well as using Clean Green Compare, there are other ways to help save you money:
- Hire experienced, safe drivers – You cannot under-estimate the importance of having experienced employees in your business. Drivers without penalty points are one way to help reduce the cost of a motor trade insurance policy, as insurance providers could increase your premium if you have younger drivers, or drivers without a clean licence.
- Secure your premises – You’d be amazed at the number of businesses that are slack when it comes to their security. With your premises safe and secure, this will help to reduce the risk of theft and vandalism. With a nicely secured site, you may see lower insurance premiums too. It’s a win-win!
- Increased excesses – A higher excess can reduce the cost of your premium. Try upping your standard excess with an additional voluntary excess and see if you reduce your premium.
- Pay annually, not monthly – Annual policies are typically the most affordable way to pay for your policy. If you can afford to pay for your insurance in one go, try and do so, as insurers will likely discount your premium compared to paying monthly.
- Be aware of add-ons – Some might be unnecessary for your traders’ insurance needs, check before you buy!
- Shop around at renewal – We know how easy it is to let an annual policy auto-renewal when it reaches the end of its life. But this convenience can often come at a cost! Insurance premiums may increase at renewal stage, so check your motor business insurance renewal quote and shop around to see if you can find a more affordable option online.
- Standard vehicle cover – Some ‘any vehicle’ policies will cover you for higher-risk vehicles such as classic cars, high-net worth vehicles, or trucks. Make sure if you only need standard vehicles covered, you aren’t paying any extra for cover you don’t need!
- Modifications – Any vehicle modification could increase your premium. Ask yourself: is this mod something that I need for my vehicle? Because without it, you could be saving money on your insurance.
In summary: Buying motor trade business insurance
- Motor trade insurance is for traders only and if you are in any business where you are in the care, custody or control of a customer’s vehicle, you need traders’ insurance.
- If your business sells vehicles, then you also need a motor trade insurance policy.
- You can get any driver cover, as well as named driver policies.
- All your vehicles can be covered, but always have your own insurance for personal use.
- There are many cover types for traders’ insurance – make sure you get the one that suits your needs.
- Always be on the look out for ways to reduce premiums through safe drivers and avoiding unnecessary extras on your policy.
Get motor trade insurance cover now
Now you understand the world of motor trade insurance, here’s how you can get quotes with no fuss – click the button below!
We’re here to provide you with a quick and easy way to get traders’ cover through a panel of specialist providers. Time to get cracking then…
Motor Trade Insurance FAQs
What is motor trade insurance?
What does motor trade insurance cover?
Am I eligible for motor traders insurance?
- Hold a full UK Driver’s Licence
- Be at least 23 years of age
- Be able to prove you work in the motor trade
Who can benefit from motor trade insurance?
- Garages
- Car showrooms
- Auction houses
- Mobile mechanics
- Repair shops
- Valeting services
