Road risk insurance for every motor trade business
Road risk insurance from a panel of trusted UK insurers
Insure your motor trade business for road risk with zero hassle
Road risk cover is a fundamental component of motor trade insurance. If you drive customers’ vehicles or your own as part of your business, our motor trade road risk insurance has you covered.
In partnership with some of the leading UK insurers, we’ll not only get you a better road risk insurance deal with the best cover available, we will work hard to keep you as a customer year after year.
24/7 claims service
We’re here for you round the clock when you need us most.
Fairer prices for all
We compare the market to find the right deal for you as a motor trader.
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.
With over 50 years of experience providing top-quality insurance for the motor trade, you can be sure we’ve got you covered.
What is road risk insurance?
It allows traders to legally drive vehicles on public roads for purposes such as test drives, deliveries, customer collections, repairs and more. There are three levels of road risks 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.
The primary purpose of this insurance is to offer protection against the unique risks associated with handling multiple vehicles and dealing with the public. It offers a range of policies tailored to meet the specific needs of a motor trade business.
Road risk motor trade insurance is a legal requirement for many businesses and a crucial risk management tool. Without proper insurance, a business could face significant financial losses from accidents, theft, or damages. Here are some key reasons why cover insurance is vital:
- Legal compliance: It ensures that your business adheres to legal requirements, avoiding hefty fines and penalties.
- Financial protection: Safeguards your business against the financial fallout from accidents, theft, and other unforeseen events.
- Peace of mind: Allows you to focus on running your business without constantly worrying about potential risks.
Quality road risk cover whatever you do
Road risk insurance is essential for anyone operating in the motor trade industry. Who needs it includes, but is not limited to:
Part-time traders
Part-time traders insurance to protect you when buying, selling or repairing vehicles in the motor trade, whether that’s working from home or as additional work.
Service and repair garages
Service and repair garage insurance for your garage, employees and customer vehicles in your custody. Protection for vehicles having MOTs, being repaired, serviced, or stored.
Recovery operators
Recovery vehicle insurance for recovery operators. Including vehicle and business premises protection. Cover for towing and recovery operations.
Mobile mechanics
Mobile mechanic insurance for working on, testing and driving other people’s cars at various locations.
Valeters and detailers
Car valeting insurance for protection when cleaning and detailing customers’ vehicles. Cover for the vehicles in your care for cleaning and detailing.
Tyre fitters
Tyre fitter insurance for protection when working on and moving other people’s vehicles. For mobile fitters or motor traders with premises.
How much does road risk insurance cost?
Typically, road risk 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
Is the level of cover selected third-party only (TPO), third-party, fire and theft (TPFT) or comprehensive.
Nature of business
The specific operations of your motor trade business play a significant role in determining your insurance premium.
Location and security
Where your business operates and the security measures you have in place can affect insurance premiums.
Vehicles covered
The types of vehicles you deal with can significantly impact your insurance costs. For example, standard vs classic or vintage cars.
Driver details
The profiles of individuals named on your policy are critical. Age, driver experience, driving history and the number of drivers can all impact.
Policy customisation
Tailoring your insurance policy to fit your business needs can influence costs. Adding additional cover such as liability or tools cover.
Road risk insurance frequently asked questions
What is road risk insurance and do I need it?
Road risk insurance is a specialist motor trade policy for anyone who works with vehicles for profit — whether you're buying and selling cars, repairing, valeting, recovering, or testing vehicles. If you carry out any motor trade activity, even part-time, you're legally required to have at least third-party road risks cover. Standard personal car insurance won't cover you for business use.
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 road risk insurance if I only trade part-time?
Yes — we arrange road risk 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.
Can I drive my own car on a road risk policy?
This depends on your insurer and the specific policy. Some motor trade policies will extend to cover your own personal vehicle, but there are usually restrictions — particularly for high-value, high-performance, or luxury vehicles. Let us know when getting your quote and we'll check what's possible.
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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