Mobile mechanics insurance that moves with you
Mobile mechanics insurance from a panel of trusted UK insurers
Insure your mobile mechanic business with zero hassle
As a mobile mechanic, your workshop travels with you. Unlike a garage-based operation, every job takes you to a different location, a customer’s driveway, a car park, a roadside — which creates a unique set of risks that standard motor trade policies aren’t designed to handle.
You need insurance that protects you at every location, covers the vehicles you’re working on, and travels with your tools and equipment wherever you go.
At insurd, we’re an FCA-regulated specialist insurance broker with over 50 years of experience arranging motor trade insurance for mobile mechanics across the UK. We work with a panel of leading UK insurers to find the right policy for your mobile operation.
24/7 claims service
We’re here for you round the clock when you need us most.
Fairer prices for all
As a specialist insurance broker, we search our panel of leading UK insurers to find the right mobile mechanic policy for your business.
World-class support
You’ll get your own UK-based human to look after you for the duration of your policy.
We use a combination of technology and a wealth of experience to give you unrivalled cover and more affordable motor trade insurance prices.
What is mobile mechanic insurance?
Mobile mechanic insurance is a motor trade policy specifically designed for mechanics who work at customers’ locations rather than from fixed premises. Unlike a standard garage policy, a mobile mechanic policy covers your activities across multiple locations — including customers’ driveways, car parks, roadsides, and any other site where you carry out repairs.
The key distinction from road risk only cover is that mobile mechanic insurance also protects customers’ vehicles while you’re working on them at their location, your tools and equipment in transit and on site, and your liability to customers and third parties at every location you work.
Without this broader cover, a single incident at a customer’s property, a slip, a damaged vehicle, a chemical spill — could leave you personally liable.
Types of cover
Road risk insurance
Road risk insurance is a fundamental component of motor trade cover, including mobile mechanics. It allows traders to legally drive vehicles on public roads for purposes such as test drives, deliveries, or customer collections. There are three levels of road risk cover:
- Third-party only (TPO): Covers damage to other people’s property or injury to others. It’s the minimum legal requirement.
- Third-party, fire and theft (TPFT): Includes TPO cover and adds protection against fire damage and theft of vehicles.
- Comprehensive: Offers the highest level of protection, covering third-party risks, fire, theft, and damage to the trader’s vehicles.
Combined insurance
Combined motor trade insurance provides broader cover, encompassing road risks and additional protections such as:
- Customers’ vehicles at multiple locations — Covers damage to customers’ vehicles while you’re working on them, wherever that work takes place. Essential for mobile mechanics who can’t control the working environment.
- Business interruption — Covers lost income if you’re unable to work due to an insured event affecting your vehicle or equipment.
- Tools in transit — Protects your tools and equipment while being transported between jobs — a critical cover for mobile mechanics whose tools are their livelihood.
- Employer’s liability — Required if you employ any assistants. Covers workplace injuries at any of the locations you work.
- Public liability — Covers legal costs and compensation if a customer or third party is injured or their property is damaged as a result of your work.
- Tools and equipment on site — Protection for your tools and equipment while you’re working at a customer’s location against theft or accidental damage.
- Extra drivers — Cover for any employees who drive customers’ vehicles as part of your operations.
How much does mobile mechanic insurance cost?
Typically, mobile mechanic insurance premiums can vary, influenced by the cover level and specific details of your business.
Key factors affecting how much motor trade insurance costs:
Type of cover
Road risk only or combined cover — and the level within each. For mobile mechanics, combined cover including tools in transit and customers’ vehicles is recommended with multiple locations.
Nature of business
The complexity of repairs and the types of vehicles you work on affect your premium. Routine servicing or diagnostics carry lower risk than engines, bodywork, or working on high-value vehicles.
Location and security
Where your work vehicle is kept overnight and the security of your tools, both affect your premium. Tools left overnight on a public road carries significantly higher risk than one kept in a secure compound.
Vehicles covered
The types of vehicles you work on affect your premium. Mobile mechanics regularly working on high-value, classic, or modified vehicles pay more than those focusing on standard passenger cars.
Driver details
Your driving record and those of any employees are a key cost factor. As a mobile mechanic, maintaining a clean driving record directly protects your premium.
Policy customisation
The level of cover beyond road risk, whether tools in transit, public liability, or customers’ vehicles, directly affects your premium but ensures you’re fully protected at every location you work.
How to reduce your mobile mechanic insurance cost
Beyond the factors above, several practical steps can help reduce your mobile mechanic insurance costs.
- Secure your tools van overnight — Tools theft from vans is one of the most common claims for mobile mechanics. Parking in a locked garage or compound, fitting additional van locks, and removing tools overnight all reduce your premium.
- Install a van alarm and tracker — Thatcham-approved alarms and GPS trackers reduce theft risk and can attract meaningful premium discounts — particularly important when your tools are your primary business asset.
- Keep accurate mileage records — As a mobile mechanic, your annual mileage directly affects your premium. Accurate mileage declarations ensure you’re not paying for risk you don’t carry.
- Maintain a clean driving record — Your van is central to your business. A clean driving record with No Claims Bonus protection is your most effective long-term cost reduction tool.
- Restrict customer vehicle driving to yourself — If you’re the only driver moving customers’ vehicles, a named driver policy is more cost-effective than any driver cover.
For more ways to reduce your motor trade insurance costs, see our motor trade insurance cost guide.
Mobile mechanic insurance frequently asked questions
What is mobile mechanic insurance and do I need it?
Mobile mechanic insurance is a specialist motor trade policy designed for mechanics who work at customers' locations rather than from a fixed premises. It covers you to drive customers' vehicles, transport your tools, and manage your liabilities across multiple locations — something a standard personal car policy simply won't do. If you carry out any repair or diagnostic work on vehicles for profit, road risk cover is a legal requirement.
What's the difference between road risks and combined motor trade insurance?
Road risks insurance covers you to drive vehicles on public roads as part of your motor trade activities — whether they're your own vehicles or customers'. Combined motor trade insurance goes further, adding protection for your premises, tools, equipment, stock, public liability, and employers' liability. If you work from premises or have employees, a combined policy is usually the better choice.
Can I get mobile mechanic insurance if I only trade part-time?
Yes — we arrange mobile mechanic insurance for part-time traders as well as full-time businesses. You'll still need to demonstrate that you're running a genuine motor trade operation, even if it's on a small scale. Visit our part-time motor trade insurance page for more details.
How do I prove I'm a legitimate motor trader?
Insurers require evidence that you run a genuine motor trade business. This can include invoices or receipts from vehicles bought or sold, online or print advertisements, tax records, or business bank account details. The more evidence you have, the smoother the process. Our team can guide you through what's needed when you get in touch.
Does mobile mechanic insurance cover me at multiple locations?
Yes — unlike a garage-based policy, mobile mechanic insurance is designed to cover you working at various locations, whether that's customers' driveways, car parks, or roadsides. There's no requirement to work from fixed premises, which is what makes this policy specifically suited to mobile mechanics.
Who actually underwrites my policy?
We're a broker, which means we arrange cover on your behalf with a handpicked panel of trusted insurers. You'll see exactly who's underwriting your policy before you commit to buying.
Why can I trust insurd?
We've been arranging insurance for over 50 years — now trading as insurd — and we're authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Register Number: 308508), and over a thousand real customers have shared their experiences with us on Trustpilot.
You can verify our status directly on the FCA register.
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