×
Motor Trade Insurance

Compare Quotes On Your Motor Trade Insurance

  • Quotes from motor trade insurance specialists
  • Cover options for buying, selling and repairing vehicles
  • Options available for sole traders and motor trade businesses
  • Compare motor trade insurance with one quick form
Get Quotes

We partner with specialist insurance providers including

lfestyle insurance broker logo
1st UK Broking
peacock insurance logo
thininsurance logo
business-choice-direct insurance services logo
cia-insurance logo
broadsuredirect insurance logo
airsports-insurance bureau logo
Ripe Insurance Logo
riviera insurance logo
bridle-insurance logo
barry-grainger-insurance logo
onse sure logo
nashwarren motortrade insurance logo
JB Brokers

Why Use QuoteSearcher for Motor Trade Insurance?

Motor trade insurance is a broad term covering a range of policies designed specifically for businesses working with vehicles. That could include mechanics and MOT centres, vehicle recovery operators, scrap yards, valeters or motor dealers. Each comes with its own risks, and insurers tend to assess them very differently depending on how and where you operate.

Finding appropriate motor trade cover can be time-consuming, particularly when insurers promote a wide range of insurance options. At QuoteSearcher, we simplify the process by connecting you with a panel of brokers experienced in arranging motor trade insurance. They’ll speak with you directly to gather relevant information and outline cover options based on your business setup.

FINDING SPECIALIST QUOTES SINCE 2005
Online for over 20 years matching customers with specialist brokers
FAST AND SIMPLE PROCESS, YOU’RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE
Complete one simple form to receive multiple quotes, let us do the leg work for you
SIT BACK AND RELAX, YOU’RE IN CONTROL
You compare the quotes and choose the policy that best suits your needs
Get quotes

Customer's Love Our Service

Quick quote, no hassle and saved £700!

Alfred Rooney

Fantastic can't fault in any way, would use time and again and recommend to all!

Alan Jones

Excellent and fast service, will use again.

Kevin Green

Quick helpful and cheap, can’t complain at anything. Thanks very much.

Mark Smith

Found the site easy to use, had good feedback from four companies, all very competitive.

Jackie Hunter

Helpful and efficient service, I was impressed how quickly I received my quotes.

J Hale

Very quick responses and completed selection and purchase of a very competitive new policy within 24 hours.

Roy Halistones

Very good and easy to use, this has not only saved me money but also saved me a lot of phone calls and time, thank you.

Shirley Dixon

Excellent service and delivered quicker than the website said. Have bought and will buy much more from here. Prices very competitive and often much cheaper. Yet to find something I want that they don't have.

David McGarry

Thought they were very good there was no need to ring around and I found what I was looking for.

Mrs M Hutson

Motor Trade Insurance Policy Features

Often referred to as trader’s insurance, motor trade cover is designed to protect your business across three key areas: vehicles, premises, and liability. While the exact structure of a policy will depend on the broker and provider, commonly features may include:

Building and Contents

Cover for business premises, equipment and tools in the event of incidents such as fire, flood or storm damage.

Road Risk

Cover for vehicles in your care, custody or control while being driven for business purposes.

Motor Trade Liability Insurance

Options may include public, employers’ and product liability, depending on how your business operates. Find out more about it here.

Any Driver

Allows multiple employees to drive business or customer vehicles, subject to insurer terms. Learn more about Any Driver Cover.

Motor Trade Business Interruption Cover

May include business interruption cover where trading is affected by an insured event. Learn more about Business Interruption Cover.

Stock and Damage Cover

Cover for vehicles or stock held on site, including customer vehicles awaiting repair or sale.

Levels of Motor Trade Insurance

Motor trade road risk insurance follows the same three levels as standard motor insurance:

Third Party Only (TPO)
The minimum legal requirement, covering damage or injury to third parties only.

Third Party, Fire & Theft (TPFT)
Includes third-party cover plus protection if a vehicle is damaged by fire or stolen.

Fully Comprehensive
The widest level of cover, often considered by motor trade businesses due to the higher risks involved. This could incorporate additional protections such as liability or any-driver cover, depending on the insurer and policy.

Some motor trade businesses choose fully comprehensive cover due to the number of vehicles, people and assets involved, although the level of cover available depends on the insurer and policy.

Car being repaired by mechanic

Motor Trade Liability Insurance

Liability cover is a key consideration for anyone working in the motor trade. Common types include:

Public Liability Insurance
Cover for claims from members of the public for injury or property damage linked to your business activities.

Employers’ Liability Insurance
A legal requirement if you employ staff, covering claims made by employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their work.

Product Liability Insurance
Cover for claims arising from faulty workmanship or parts supplied as part of your services.

Types of Motor Trade Policy

Combined Motor Trade Insurance
Often  used by businesses operating from dedicated premises such as garages or showrooms. This type of policy may combine road risk, premises cover, stock protection and business interruption into a single arrangement.

Road Risk Only Policies
Often used by smaller or mobile traders, road risk insurance focuses on covering vehicles being driven for business purposes, without including premises or stock cover.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Motor Trade Insurance

Insurance brokers will usually assess several factors when discussing cover options, including:

  • The number of vehicles requiring cover
  • Whether you operate from home or dedicated premises
  • The number of drivers and whether any-driver cover is required
  • Use of specialist or non-standard vehicles (such as recovery trucks)
  • Your claims history and any no-claims discount that may be transferable

Specialist Motor Trade Considerations

Depending on your business, brokers may also discuss cover options for:

  • UK and European use
  • Increased road risk exposure
  • Part-time traders
  • Drivers under 25 years of age

Types of Motor Trade Businesses

Motor trade insurance may be suitable for a wide range of businesses, including:

  • Car dealers and used car dealers
  • Mechanics and MOT centres
  • Vehicle valeters
  • Tyre and exhaust fitters
  • Vehicle recovery and repair specialists

Frequently Asked Questions About Motor Trade Insurance

    • What is motor trade insurance?
      Motor trade insurance is designed for businesses that buy, sell, repair, or handle vehicles as part of their work. Policies may include cover for vehicles, premises and liability, depending on how your business operates. Brokers can explain how different policy types work and outline options based on your activities.
    • Do I need motor trade insurance?
      If your business involves handling vehicles that don’t belong to you, motor trade insurance may be required. This is particularly relevant if you drive customer vehicles, store stock, or carry out repairs. While not all elements are legally required, employers’ liability insurance is mandatory if you have staff. Brokers can explain how cover applies based on your business activities and any legal obligations.
    • What’s the difference between road risk and combined motor trade insurance?
      Road risk insurance covers you to drive vehicles for business purposes, including customer vehicles or stock. Combined motor trade insurance typically includes road risk cover alongside additional protection for premises, tools, stock and liability. Brokers can explain how these options differ depending on whether you operate from a fixed location or on a mobile basis.
    • What types of businesses can motor trade insurance cover?
      Motor trade insurance can be arranged for a wide range of businesses, including car dealers, mechanics, MOT centres, vehicle recovery operators, valeters, and tyre or exhaust fitters.Brokers will take into account how your business operates when discussing suitable cover options.
    • Who can drive vehicles under a motor trade policy?
      Policies can be arranged for a single driver, named drivers, or in some cases any driver, depending on the insurer.Adding more drivers, or covering younger or less experienced drivers, may affect the premium. Brokers can explain the available options and any restrictions that may apply.
    • Can I get motor trade insurance as a part-time trader?
      Yes. Motor trade insurance can often be arranged for part-time traders, depending on the nature and scale of the business. Brokers can discuss how often you trade, the type of work you carry out, and how part-time trading is treated by different insurers.
    • Can I get motor trade insurance if I work from home or operate on a mobile basis?
      In many cases, yes. Some policies are designed for traders who work from home or operate without fixed premises, such as mobile mechanics or small-scale dealers.Brokers can explain what cover is available and any conditions that may apply, particularly around vehicle storage and security.
    • What vehicles can be covered under motor trade insurance?
      Motor trade insurance can cover a range of vehicles, including customer vehicles, stock vehicles for sale, and vehicles used in connection with your business. The types of vehicles and how they are used will usually influence the cover available, so brokers will take this into account when outlining policy options.
    • Will my personal vehicles be covered under motor trade insurance?
      Some policies may allow personal vehicles to be included, depending on how the cover is arranged and whether the vehicles are declared. This varies between insurers, so brokers can explain what is permitted and whether separate cover may be required.