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

We partner with specialist insurance providers including

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1st UK Broking
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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

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 to protect all forms of motor trade businesses from financial losses brought about by claims, damage to equipment or premises, and business interruption. Your policy can be tailored to suit your unique needs, and you will only be dealing with experienced, trusted motor trade specialists.
    • Do I need motor trade insurance?
      Simply put, yes you do. If you have a business that operates within the motor trade industry, you are required by law to have specific cover for both your business and its customers. For example, if you employ staff you must have employers’ liability cover to be compliant with the law. Car salesmen, mechanics and even valets should all protect themselves against any damages to the cars they work with; especially if you are working with them on a day to day basis.
    • How much is motor trade insurance?
      The cost of your motor trade policy depends on a variety of elements, including the type of business you run, the vehicles you operate and the general risk you are faced with as part of the day-to-day running of your business. You can talk through this with your motor trade insurance broker, who will be able to offer a competitive price for your comprehensive policy.
    • How do I get motor trade insurance?
      At QuoteSearcher, we do the legwork. All you have to do is fill in our simple form with just a few bits of information and one of our trade insurance brokers will be in touch to offer you with a convenient quote. We only work with motor trade insurance companies that we trust, so you can rest assured that you have the best cover available from seasoned motor trade specialists.
    • Will I be able to alter my policy before renewal?
      Most motor trade insurance providers will allow you to alter your policy before renewal, however, it would be a good idea to check before you make your purchase just in case you do decide, at some point in the future, to modify your policy in any particular way.
    • Will my personal vehicles be covered?
      If you have properly disclosed them at the policy inception then you should be covered. You will need to check with your motor trade insurance provider however that your vehicle does not fall into a restricted or unacceptable vehicle area. You will need to declare any vehicles in your possession for a certain amount of time to the Motor Insurance Database.