Tyre fitter insurance that keeps your business rolling
Tyre fitter insurance from a panel of trusted UK insurers
Insure your tyre fitter business with zero hassle
Whether you fit tyres from a fixed premises or operate as a mobile tyre fitter visiting customers at home or roadside, your work involves handling customers’ vehicles, operating specialist equipment, and managing the risks that come with working on safety-critical components.
A tyre incorrectly fitted, a wheel damaged during fitting, or an accident while moving a customer’s vehicle can all result in significant claims that standard commercial insurance won’t cover.
At insurd, we’re an FCA-regulated specialist insurance broker with over 50 years of experience arranging motor trade insurance for tyre fitters across the UK. We work with a panel of leading UK insurers to find the right policy for your operation — whether you work from a garage or on the road.
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 tyre fitter 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 tyre fitter insurance?
Tyre fitter insurance is a specialist motor trade policy designed for the unique risks of fitting, balancing, and servicing tyres on customers’ vehicles. It covers you to drive customers’ vehicles on public roads as part of your work, protects customers’ vehicles while they’re in your care, and covers your tools, equipment, and liability.
The key risk for tyre fitters is that a fitting error, such as an incorrectly torqued wheel, a tyre fitted to the wrong specification, or a balance weight incorrectly applied, can cause a serious accident after the customer has left your premises.
Tyre fitter insurance includes the liability cover you need if a claim arises from your work, as well as protection for the vehicles and equipment in your care during every job.
Types of cover
Road risk insurance
Road risk insurance is a fundamental component of motor trade cover, including tyre fitters. 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 in care, custody and control — Covers damage to customers’ vehicles while they’re on your premises or in your care during mobile fitting.
- Business interruption — Covers lost income if you’re unable to operate due to an insured event affecting your premises or equipment.
- Premises insurance — Protects your workshop, reception, and tyre storage areas against fire, theft, flood, and accidental damage.
- Employer’s liability — Required if you employ any fitters or assistants. Covers workplace injuries including those caused by lifting equipment or compressed air tools.
- Public liability — Covers legal costs and compensation if a customer or third party is injured, or if a fitting error causes an accident after the vehicle leaves your premises.
- Tools and equipment — Protection for your tyre fitting machinery, balancers, compressors, jacks, and specialist tools against theft or damage.
- Extra drivers — Cover for employees to move customers’ vehicles on public roads for testing, collection, or delivery.
How much does tyre fitter insurance cost?
Tyre fitter premiums reflect the specialist equipment you rely on and the liability that comes with safety-critical work — a single fitting error can lead to a claim long after the customer has driven away.
Mobile fitting and premises-based fitting are priced differently, and working on HGVs, coaches or specialist vehicles costs more to insure than standard cars. The factors below have the biggest influence on your price.
Type of cover
Road risk only or combined cover — and the level within each. Combined cover including customers’ vehicles and tools is strongly recommended for tyre fitters given the specialist equipment involved.
Nature of business
The type of fitting work and the vehicles you service affect your premium. Mobile tyre fitters face different risks to those operating from a fixed premises. Fitting tyres on lorries, coaches, or specialist vehicles carries higher risk.
Location and security
Secure storage for tyre stock, equipment, and customers’ vehicles overnight reduces theft risk and your premium. Mobile fitters storing equipment in a van face different risk assessment to premises-based operations.
Vehicles covered
The types of vehicles you fit tyres on directly affect your premium. Working on high-value, classic, or specialist vehicles carries higher risk than standard cars and light vans.
Driver details
The driving records of all employees who move customers’ vehicles are a key cost factor. This applies whether you’re repositioning vehicles on your forecourt or conducting post-fitting road tests.
Policy customisation
Adding cover for specialist equipment, higher liability limits, or roadside assistance for mobile operations affects cost but ensures complete protection for your specific way of working.
How to reduce your tyre fitter insurance premium
Beyond the factors above, several practical steps can help reduce your tyre fitter insurance costs.
- Document every fitting with a torque record — Accurate records of tyre fitting, torque settings, and post-fit checks protect you against liability claims arising after a vehicle leaves your premises. Documented processes signal lower risk to insurers.
- Secure your equipment and tyre stock overnight — Specialist tyre fitting equipment and tyre stock are high-value theft targets. Secure premises with alarms and CCTV reduces your premium.
- Invest in staff training — Formal tyre fitting training and certification for all staff reduces the risk of fitting errors and associated liability claims. Many insurers view documented training positively at underwriting.
- Restrict vehicle movement to experienced drivers — Limiting the movement of customers’ vehicles to named experienced drivers reduces your road risk exposure and premium.
- Review your equipment values regularly — Specialist fitting machinery, compressors, and balancers depreciate over time. Accurate equipment valuations at renewal ensure you’re not over-insured on older equipment.
For more ways to reduce your motor trade insurance costs, see our motor trade insurance cost guide.
Tyre fitter insurance frequently asked questions
What is tyre fitter insurance and do I need it?
Tyre fitter insurance is a motor trade policy tailored to the specific risks of fitting, balancing, and replacing tyres — whether you work from a garage or offer a mobile service. It covers customers' vehicles in your care, your specialist equipment such as jacks and balancers, and your liability if something goes wrong during a fitting. If you move customers' vehicles as part of your work, road risk cover is also 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 tyre fitter insurance if I only trade part-time?
Yes — we arrange tyre fitter 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?
For service-based motor traders like valeters and tyre fitters, evidence can include invoices or receipts from work carried out, online or social media business profiles, tax records showing trade income, or a business bank account. Our team can guide you through what's needed when you get in touch.
Am I covered to drive customers' vehicles to fit tyres or test them afterwards?
Yes — a tyre fitter motor trade policy includes road risk cover, allowing you to move customers' vehicles on public roads as part of your work. This is a legal requirement if you need to reposition vehicles, carry out test drives after fitting, or collect and deliver vehicles for customers.
Can I pay for my tyre fitter insurance monthly?
Yes — monthly instalments are available on most policies we arrange, so you can spread the cost rather than paying the full premium upfront. Monthly payment is arranged through a finance agreement, so the total will include interest.
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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