What is Commercial Vehicle Repairers Insurance?
Commercial vehicle repairers insurance is a type of motor trade insurance the provides cover for the risks that come with working on large commercial vehicles such as vans, HGVs and LGVs. In addition to cover for working on these vehicles, you can also get additional types of cover for your premises and for liability claims.
It’s extremely easy to tailor your quotes so they only include the cover you need most and you can have insurance in place in just a matter of minutes.
You can find out more about commercial vehicle repairs insurance throughout this page, including the things that affect cost and how to get quotes.
What the experts say…
“The unique risks that come with being a commercial vehicle repairer mean getting the right type of insurance is crucial. Commercial vehicle repairers insurance can cover your business for all major risks, including road risks, structural damage to your premises and liability claims.”
– Ian Beevis, Founder of Clean Green Compare
What Does Commercial Vehicle Repairers Insurance Cover?
Some of the things that commercial vehicle repairers insurance can cover includes:
- Road risks insurance: This will cover you and your employees for driving customer vehicles for business-related purposes.
- Public liability insurance: Covers your for liability claims from member of the public (including customers).
- Cash cover: Insures the case you hold at your premises.
- Legal expenses: If you have to fight a liability claim, then your legal expenses would be covered up to a certain amount.
- Personal accident and sickness: Provides financial compensation if you or one of your employees were unable to work due to sickness or injury.
Cover can be easily tailored to suit the needs of your business.
Commercial Vehicle Repairers Insurance - Additional Cover
Below are some excellent additional insurance options to consider when you’re taking out commercial vehicle repairers insurance:
When you run a commercial vehicle repairers workshop, you’ll have a lot of valuable machinery and equipment on-site. This being the case, it makes sense to protect it for things like theft, damage and loss.
You can also get cover for your premises and protect it against risks such as fire, flooding and vandalism.
If you have any employees, then you’ll need to get employers’ liability insurance in order for your business to be legally run.
You can also get cover for the cash held on premises as well as the loss or theft of customer keys.
What's Not Covered By Commercial Vehicle Repairers Insurance?
Commercial vehicle repairers insurance can be as comprehensive as you wish it to be but there are certain things that are usually not covered regardless. The main ones include:
- Undeclared vehicles: – A lot of motor trade businesses will insure their vehicles as a fleet, particularly businesses like car dealerships and auction houses. If you do have a fleet, then you need to keep it up to date by registering any new vehicles you receive with the Motor Insurance Database (MID). Failure to do this means any undeclared/unregistered vehicles will likely not be covered by your insurance.
- Unnamed drivers: – Another thing you won’t be covered for is any unnamed drivers. Any employees who you want to be able to work on/drive customer vehicles, must be explicitly named in your policy unless you have an any driver policy.
- Private use of vehicles: – Even though motor insurance allows you and your employees to drive customer vehicles, this is strictly for business-related activities. Any type of personal use driving that results in damage or a write-off, will not be covered by your insurance.
- General wear and tear: – Any general wear and tear to tools, machinery and other equipment will not be covered by commercial vehicle repairers insurance either.
This aren’t all the exclusions but they are the most common ones that not ever motor trade business owner is aware of. Always be sure to check the details of your policy so you’re fully informed.
What Types Of Businesses Need Commercial Vehicle Repairers Insurance?
There are multiple types of businesses within the motor trade that are suited for commercial vehicle repairers insurance. Below are some of the main ones:
- Dedicated commercial vehicle repair garages: Businesses that specialise in repairing commercial vehicles are most ideally suited to this type of cover since it provides protection for all the risks that come along with working on vehicles like HGVs, trucks and vans.
- Garages and MOT centres: A lot of general garages and MOT centres will also carry out repairs on commercial vehicles and can certainly benefit from having this type of cover too.
- Some mobile mechanics: Any mobile mechanics that work on commercial vehicles are part of their job will be suited for commercial vehicle repairers insurance also.
- Vehicle recovery services: A lot of vehicle recovery services work on and tow commercial vehicles as part of their operations and can also benefit from this type of insurance.
It’s clear that it’s not only dedicated commercial vehicle repair garages that need this type of insurance but a wide range of motor trade businesses.
Get Commercial Vehicle Repairers Insurance Quotes Today
How To Get A Commercial Vehicle Repairers Insurance Quote
Getting commercial vehicle repairers insurance in place is not difficult at all. Below are the steps involved:
Commercial Vehicle Repairers Insurance - Calculating The Cost
The cost of commercial vehicle repairers insurance can vary quite a lot. Below are the biggest factors that motor trade insurance providers take into account:
- The business type: Not all businesses that get commercial vehicle repairers insurance will necessary be dedicated garages who only work on commercial vehicles. This being the case, insurance providers will take into account the exact nature and size of your business when coming up with a price for your cover.
- The type of vehicles you work on: Some garages work exclusively on one type of commercial vehicle, such as HGVs, whereas other may work on a mix. This will all be taken into account by insurance providers.
- Number of named drivers: If you have employees, then they’ll need to be named on the policy so they’re covered for working on and transporting customer vehicles as necessary. The number of named drivers as well as their driving history, age etc. will all play a factor in how much your insurance costs too.
- Your business location: Where your business is located is another important factor when it comes to price. Businesses that are located in busier areas tend to cost more to insure. If your premises is located in a high crime area, this will certainly impact cost as well.
- How you choose to pay: You have the choice to pay for your insurance annually or monthly. Annual payment means you can avoid interest charges.
Although the above factors are all important, you should always shop around for quotes from different insurance providers since prices can vary a lot.
Commercial Vehicle Repairers Insurance - Great Ways To Save
Taking steps to keep the cost of commercial vehicle repairers insurance to a minimum is always recommended. Here are some of the best ways to do that:
Following at least a couple of these tips should certainly help to lower the cost of your commercial vehicle repairers insurance.
FAQs – Commercial Vehicle Repairers Insurance
Am I legally required to have commercial vehicle repairers insurance?
The two main components that you’re legally required to have are:
- Road risk insurance – If you need to transport customer vehicles as part of your operations, then you’ll need to have third party only (TPO) insurance at minimum.
- Employers’ liability – If you have any employees, you’re also legally required to have employers’ liability insurance.
Will my personal vehicle(s) be covered by commercial vehicle repairers insurance?
Not as standard but if you wanted to add your personal vehicle to your policy, most insurance providers give you the option to do this.
What are the most useful additional types of commercial vehicle repairers insurance?
It’s never a bad idea to have public liability insurance included in your policy. This means if any claims went against you from non-staff members, you’d be covered by your insurance. Cover for your premises is also a very good idea if you don’t already have building insurance.
How long will I be covered for?
Motor trade insurance policies typically cover you for a period of one year. After this time you can either choose to renew the policy with your existing insurance provider or look elsewhere to see if you can get a better deal.
