What is motorcycle trade insurance?
Whether you buy and sell used bikes, run a repair workshop, build customs or transport motorcycles between dealerships, you’re classed as a motor-trader. Standard bike insurance only covers personal riding; it doesn’t protect you when you’re moving customer machines or running a business. Motorcycle motor trade insurance lets you:
- Legally ride or transport customer-owned and stock bikes on public roads.
- Protect tools, diagnostic equipment and parts in your workshop or van.
- Cover customer bikes against theft or damage while in your custody.
Getting the right motorcycle trade insurance means you can focus on running your business — whether that’s selling bikes, fixing them, or both — with peace of mind. Compare policies that suit the way you work, and make sure you’re properly covered every time you turn the key.
What the experts say…
“Motorcycle traders have distinct insurance needs - whether you’re buying, selling, repairing, or servicing bikes. Standard policies won’t protect you if you’re riding, moving, or storing customer motorcycles as part of your business. Motorcycle trade insurance ensures you can operate legally, protect valuable stock, and give your customers confidence, no matter if you’re working from a shop, workshop, or on the road.”
– Ian Beevis, Founder of Clean Green Compare
What’s covered
Below is a snapshot of the protection most insurance providers include as standard. You can tailor the limits or add extra layers if your workshop handles higher-value machines.
- Road-risk cover (TPO) – legal minimum; covers injury or damage you cause to others while riding a customer or stock bike.
- Road-risk cover (TPFT) – TPO plus fire-and-theft cover for the bike you’re riding.
- Road-risk cover (Comprehensive) – TPFT benefits plus accidental or malicious damage to the bike itself.
- Customer-bike protection – Theft or damage while machines are in your care, custody or control, including demo rides.
- Public-liability insurance – Covers injury or property damage claims from customers or third parties.
- Employer’s-liability insurance – Required if you employ staff or apprentices; covers workplace-injury claims.
- Tools & equipment cover – Protects workshop tools, dyno rigs and diagnostic laptops.
- Stock & parts cover – Fire, theft or accidental damage to bikes and parts held for sale.
- Premises cover – Buildings, contents and fixtures at your showroom or workshop.
- Business-interruption cover – Replaces lost income if you can’t trade after an insured event.
- Goods-in-transit cover – Bikes and parts while being moved between sites or delivered to customers.
Optional add-ons
Need extra peace of mind? These bolt-ons expand your core policy, letting you customise cover for courtesy bikes, personal gear or legal expenses.
Cover for providing a temporary replacement motorbike to customers.
Compensation for named riders injured while riding.
Cover for damaged protective gear.
Protection against legal costs from contract disputes.
Income protection if your test licence is withdrawn.
Lets customers test ride bikes before buying.
What isn’t covered
Every policy carries some non-negotiable gaps. Make sure you’re aware of the main ones before you ride away thinking you’re covered for “anything, anywhere”.
- Racing, timed track sessions or stunt riding.
- Wear & tear or mechanical failure of customer bikes.
- Bikes not listed on the MID or worth over £60 k unless declared.
- Riders under 23 or with unspent IN10 convictions unless named.
- Tools left in an unlocked van or workshop overnight.
Who needs it?
If your income relies on buying, selling, servicing or transporting motorcycles—even part-time—you fall under the UK definition of a motor-trader and need the cover listed here.
- Franchised bike dealerships – Need protection for showrooms, demo rides, and high-value stock on site.
- Independent bike traders – Rely on cover for buying, selling, and storing bikes, even when trading part-time or from home.
- Motorcycle importers and exporters – Need insurance for transporting bikes to and from the UK, including cover in transit.
- Bike traders with forecourts – Require public liability, theft protection, and demo cover for customer test rides.
- Online-only bike sellers – Still need trade cover for handling, storing, and delivering motorcycles to buyers.
- Motorcycle trade plate users – Must be insured to legally ride untaxed bikes on public roads for delivery or test drives.
If you earn money buying, selling, moving or repairing other people’s bikes, you’re classed as a motor trader. A motorcycle-trade policy is the legal green light that lets you ride customer machines and keeps your business protected when things go wrong.
Get Motorcycle Trade Insurance Quotes Today
Get a quote in 3 simple steps
Getting protected is quick. Here’s how our comparison process works from start to finish:
Costs – factors that move the premium
Premiums for motorcycle traders can vary wildly, but five rating factors move the needle more than any others:
- Postcode risk: urban theft hot-spots can add 25%.
- Bike value limit: working on machines over £20 k triggers higher rates.
- Rider age & convictions: under-25s or motoring convictions can increase the base premium.
- Security: Thatcham approved alarms and ground anchors can save up to 10%.
- No-claims bonus: each claim-free year knocks increases your no claims bonus
Save money on motorcycle trade insurance
Before you accept the first quote, try these tried-and-tested ways to trim the premium without sacrificing critical cover.
Motorcycle Trade Insurance FAQ
Do I need a policy if I only sell a few bikes a month?
Yes. The moment you ride or transport a customer bike for profit you need at least third-party road-risk cover.
Can I add demonstrator bikes for test rides?
Absolutely – list each bike on the Motor Insurance Database and ensure demonstrator cover is selected.
Is helmet & leathers cover included?
Only on comprehensive levels or when you add the optional personal-gear extension.
How fast can I get documents?
Usually Instantly by email once you choose a provider and pay – you can trade the same day.
