Do Mobile Mechanics Need Motor Trade Insurance?
Table of Contents
If you work as a mobile mechanic, you’ll usually need motor trade insurance to protect yourself and your business. Even if you don’t run a fixed garage, this cover makes sure you’re insured when working on, driving, or moving other people’s vehicles. It can also help with claims if a customer’s car is damaged or if your tools are stolen.
Key points
- If you work on, repair, or move customer vehicles, motor trade insurance is usually required.
- Your personal car insurance won’t cover you for business use on customer cars.
- Policies can cover road risks, public liability, your tools, and more.
- It’s flexible—cover can fit part-time or full-time work, solo or with staff.
- Having the right insurance helps keep your business running smoothly if something goes wrong.
Why Do Mobile Mechanics Need Specialist Insurance?
Standard car insurance is for personal use only and doesn’t protect you when you work on, repair, or drive other people’s vehicles. Motor trade insurance is designed for people who earn a living from working with cars and vans, even if you do not have business premises.
- Customer vehicles – This cover lets you legally drive or move cars that belong to your clients, whether you’re test driving, collecting, or delivering them after repairs.
- Business risks – It protects you if something happens to a customer’s car while it’s in your care, or if you have an accident during a test drive.
- Tools and equipment – You can add protection for the specialist tools and equipment you carry to different jobs.
Having the right policy means you can focus on the work, not worry about being uninsured.
What Does Motor Trade Insurance for Mobile Mechanics Include?
You can tailor your cover to match how you work. Most mobile mechanics look for these options:
- Road risks insurance – Covers you for driving customer vehicles on public roads for business reasons, even if it’s just a short distance.
- Public liability insurance – Protects you if a customer, or their property, is accidentally injured or damaged while you’re working.
- Tools cover – Insures your essential tools and kit against loss, theft, or accidental damage while you’re on the move.
- Employers’ liability – Needed if you employ anyone, even casually or part-time.
You can adjust your policy based on what you do day to day, and how much protection you want for your business.
Do Part-Time Mobile Mechanics Need Insurance?
Even if you only fix cars occasionally, you still count as being “in the motor trade” if you earn money from customer vehicles. Part-time or seasonal mechanics still need the right cover to stay protected and legal.
- Flexible policies – Insurers offer options for part-time, home-based, or one-person businesses, so you do not pay for cover you do not need.
- Honesty matters – Always describe your work pattern and number of vehicles accurately when applying.
Having flexible insurance lets you take on jobs as and when you need, with peace of mind.
What Happens If You Do Not Have the Right Insurance?
If you work on customer vehicles without proper motor trade insurance, you risk having claims refused or being held personally responsible for any damage or accidents. Personal car insurance does not cover you for business use on customer cars, so you could end up paying out of pocket.
- Financial risk – You might have to pay for repairs or legal costs yourself if something goes wrong.
- Reputation – Not being properly insured could put off potential customers or lead to trouble with local authorities.
Staying insured is the best way to avoid these headaches and run your business with confidence.
Summary
Most mobile mechanics need motor trade insurance to cover their business – whether working full time, part time, or as a one-person operation. This specialist cover protects you when moving, repairing, or testing customer vehicles and can be adapted to your actual work. Checking your insurance means you can focus on the job, not worry about the “what ifs”.
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