Specialist insurance for motor repair garages, whether you run one bay or a busy multi-bay business. Choose road risk only, or combined cover for customer vehicles, your workshop and liability, with tools cover that can be added.
Specialist insurance for motor repair garages, whether you run one bay or a busy multi-bay business. Choose road risk only, or combined cover for customer vehicles, your workshop and liability, with tools cover that can be added.
Customer cars coveredFaulty workmanshipRoad testing
Tools & premises
Speak to a specialist 0330 808 1117
Garage insurance is a motor trade policy for businesses that service, repair or maintain vehicles. It can be road risk only, which covers you to drive customer cars on the road, or a combined policy that also protects vehicles in your workshop and can include your premises, tools, public and products liability and employers’ liability.
Looking for cover for the garage at your home? That’s home insurance, this page is for motor repair businesses.
Your garage insurance price depends on:
Your postcodeServices you offerPremises and securityNumber of staffCustomer vehicles on siteAnnual turnoverDrivers and road risk use
Garage insurance suits any business that services, repairs or tests vehicles on its own premises, from a single bay to a multi-bay workshop.
Garage insurance suits any business that services, repairs or tests vehicles on its own premises, from a single bay to a multi-bay workshop.
Service & Repair Garages
Independent garages carrying out servicing, diagnostics and mechanical repairs.
MOT Centres
Garages running MOT testing bays alongside repair and servicing work.
Bodyshops
Accident repair, paint and panel workshops handling customer vehicles.
Tyre & Exhaust Centres
Fast-fit centres fitting tyres, exhausts, batteries and brakes.
Specialist Workshops
Classic car restorers, performance tuners and marque specialists.
Multi-Bay Garages
Larger garages with several bays, technicians and vehicles on site.
What could go wrong in your garage?
What could go wrong in your garage?
The most common garage claims involve damage to customer vehicles, road test accidents, faulty repairs, workshop fires and theft, and injuries to customers or staff. A combined garage policy can cover all six.
The most common garage claims involve damage to customer vehicles, road test accidents, faulty repairs, workshop fires and theft, and injuries to customers or staff. A combined garage policy can cover all six.
How could a claim affect your garage?
How could a claim affect your garage?
A single incident in a garage often touches several covers at once. These examples show which part of the policy responds to what.
A single incident in a garage often touches several covers at once. These examples show which part of the policy responds to what.
Customer Car Damaged
A customer’s car is scratched by a technician while being moved in the workshop.
What cover may respond?
Customer Vehicles in Your Care
Faulty Repair
Brake work you carried out fails weeks later and causes an accident.
What cover may respond?
Products Liability
Workshop Fire
A fire starts near the paint area and damages the building, tools and stock.
What cover may respond?
Premises + Tools & Equipment
Technician Injured
A member of staff is injured when a vehicle lift fails during a repair.
What cover may respond?
Employers’ Liability
There’s no set price for garage insurance. Premiums depend on your postcode, the work you do, whether you choose road risk only or combined cover, the size of your garage and team, the customer vehicles you keep on site, your excess and your claims history.
Your postcode
Where you trade matters. Postcode is one of the biggest rating factors on a motor trade policy, and it affects more than the price. It can decide whether an insurer will quote at all.
Customer vehicles on site
The number and value of cars kept at your garage overnight affects the price.
Level of cover
Insurers look at whether you choose road risk only or a combined policy with premises, stock and liability.
Level of excess
Your excess is what you pay towards each claim, so choose a level you could manage.
Size of garage
More bays, staff and turnover mean more exposure to claims.
Claims history
Insurers will ask about any theft or damage claims you have made.
Some covers and checks are legal requirements for garages, and insurers will usually ask about them before quoting.
Make sure you have:
Employers’ liability if you have staffRoad risk to drive customer carsRegular vehicle lift inspectionsA fire risk assessmentSafe waste oil and fluid disposalTrained, qualified techniciansWhat does garage insurance cover?
What does garage insurance cover?
Garage insurance can be road risk only, for driving customer cars, or a combined policy that adds cover for vehicles in your care, your premises, public and products liability, and employers’ liability. Tools cover can be added, and many garages also add faulty workmanship cover.
Garage insurance can be road risk only, for driving customer cars, or a combined policy that adds cover for vehicles in your care, your premises, public and products liability, and employers’ liability. Tools cover can be added, and many garages also add faulty workmanship cover.
Road Risk & Customer Vehicles
Drive customer cars on road tests and collections, and protect vehicles left in your care.
Premises & Buildings
Cover for your workshop, reception and fixtures against fire, flood, theft and damage.
Public & Products Liability
Covers injury or damage claims from customers, visitors and the parts you fit.
Faulty Workmanship
Available on many garage policies to help with damage caused by a repair that goes wrong.
Tools, Equipment & Stock
Can be added to protect lifts, diagnostic kit, hand tools and parts stock against theft and damage.
Employers’ Liability
Often a legal requirement if you employ technicians, apprentices or office staff.
Which insurance does a garage legally need?
Which insurance does a garage legally need?
Road risk is a legal requirement if you drive customer vehicles, and employers’ liability is often a legal requirement if you have staff. The other covers are optional but protect against the claims garages see most often.
Road risk is a legal requirement if you drive customer vehicles, and employers’ liability is often a legal requirement if you have staff. The other covers are optional but protect against the claims garages see most often.
| Type of cover | Legally required? | Why garages need it |
|---|---|---|
Road risk insurance | Yes, to drive customer cars | Road tests, collections and deliveries |
Employers’ liability | Often, if you employ staff | Technicians, apprentices and office staff |
Public liability | Not legally required | Customers and visitors on your premises |
Products liability | Not legally required | Claims from parts fitted and work carried out |
Customer vehicles in your care | Not legally required | Damage or theft of cars left with you |
Premises and contents | May be required by your lease | Fire, flood and theft at your workshop |
Tools and equipment | No | Lifts, diagnostic kit and hand tools |
Faulty workmanship | No | Putting right damage from repair errors |
Top Tip
Check that your road risk cover includes every technician who road tests customer cars, an undeclared driver could leave a claim uninsured.
Trusted by garages and workshops across the UK
Trusted by garages and workshops across the UK
From single-bay workshops to busy multi-bay garages, our customers trust Insurance Revolution to find the right cover and expert support when it matters.
From single-bay workshops to busy multi-bay garages, our customers trust Insurance Revolution to find the right cover and expert support when it matters.
Garage owner guides
Garage owner guides
Practical help on cover, compliance and claims for motor repair garages.
Practical help on cover, compliance and claims for motor repair garages.
Insurance Revolution’s Guide to Motor Trade Insurance Policies
The motor trade industry is diverse and complex, encompassing everything from car dealerships and repair shops to valeting services and vehicle recovery businesses. Whether you’re buying and selling vehicles, offering repairs, or running a garage, motor trade insurance is a crucial component of protecting your business.
Common Motor Trade Insurance Claims and How to Avoid Them
Running a motor trade business comes with daily risks. Whether you operate as a used car dealer, mechanic, vehicle valeter, MOT centre, or mobile repair specialist, accidents can happen when you least expect them.
Why Would I Need Motor Trade Insurance?
“Do I or do I not need to take to motor trade insurance policy?” most of the motor traders are in this constant dilemma with the insurance scheme and are kind of clueless what benefits they would be getting by opting for the motor trade insurance. The law demands every motor trader to sign up with motor trade insurance policy and any negligence here would amount to violating the law.
Why Public Liability Insurance Is Crucial for Car Forecourt Traders
As a car forecourt trader, you’re not just selling vehicles; you’re inviting potential buyers onto your premises, where they interact with your staff, inspect vehicles, and often test drive them. While this activity is essential for your business, it also introduces various risks. This is where public liability insurance becomes crucial, alongside having the right level of forecourt cover.
Understanding Motor Trade Insurance as a Small Business Owner
As a small business owner in the motor trade industry, it’s crucial to understand the importance and nuances of motor trade insurance. Whether you’re selling vehicles, offering repair services, or dealing with vehicle parts, having the right insurance coverage can protect your business from a variety of risks.
Navigating the Road to Secure Trade: Unveiling the Considerations of Motor Trade Insurance
Opening your garage, paint shop, or car lot is exciting. However, many hidden pitfalls can cause you to blow out and take your business off the road. In this 2-minute read, we’ll highlight the different types of motor trade business insurance you need to protect your business should something unexpected happen.
What Are The Different Trades Covered Under Motor Trade Insurance?
Motor trade insurance is a legal requirement when you are in a motor trade business. You will have to sign up for a motor trade insurance policy if your business involves having clients’ vehicles under your custody, care or control. These would apply to businesses engaged in auto sales, including both new and pre-owned vehicles
Garage insurance FAQs
Garage insurance FAQs
Straight answers on what garage insurance covers, what it costs and what the law requires.
Straight answers on what garage insurance covers, what it costs and what the law requires.
Garage insurance is a motor trade policy for businesses that service, repair or maintain vehicles. It can be road risk only, which covers you to drive customer cars, or a combined policy that can also protect your workshop, tools, customer vehicles and liability.
Still not sure what cover your garage needs?
Our motor trade specialists can walk you through road risk, liability and premises cover for your workshop.
