Mechanic Insurance

Why choose Howden for Mechanic Insurance?

We know how difficult and stressful it can be for tradesmen to find the insurance policies they need, and that’s why we do our best to do the heavy lifting instead, so you don’t have to. Thanks to the brilliant relationships we have with our selected panel of both standard and specialist insurers, we’re able to make the process of sourcing various different mechanic insurance options, on your behalf, simple and straightforward.

Here at Howden, our team of experts understand that each standard or mobile mechanic insurance policy needs to be unique and tailored to each owner and their mechanic business. That’s why we provide personalised services to our clients, which focuses on getting to know you and your business better, whilst also learning more about what you want from your mechanics’ insurance policy.

So, what are you waiting for? Whether you need to make a claim, purchase a new mechanic insurance policy, or renew an existing one, just know that we’re always here to help.

Benefits of working with Howden:

• You can trust us – we’re rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
• We’re driven to save you time, money, and hassle.
• Benefit from a tailored service that comparison sites can’t provide.
• Speak with your local branch, within your community.
• We’re right by your side in the event of a claim.

Do I need mechanic insurance?

Whether you service or repair vehicles via call-outs as a mobile mechanic or run your mechanic business from a garage, having a mechanic insurance policy in place is certainly highly recommended. In fact, for all technicians in the industry, including mechanics, having a motor trade insurance policy is required by law.

As well as meeting the legal requirement on having a basic level of cover (which includes employers’ liability cover if your business employs people), your comprehensive motor trade mechanic insurance package could also include liability cover, tool cover, machinery cover, or cover for your buildings and contents. Either way, we’d definitely advise all mechanical business to get some form of mechanic insurance behind them to protect themselves financially.

Which businesses could a mechanic insurance support?

A mechanic insurance policy sourced by Howden can protect a wide range of mechanics and businesses in the industry, including:

• Mobile mechanics
• MOT stations
• Body shop mechanics
• Vehicle customisation mechanics
• Vehicle repair garages

We don’t limit ourselves to just mechanics either, as we can support a wide range of technicians in the motor trade industry thanks to the relationships we have numerous specialist insurers. Just give us a call and find out more about how we can help.

Mechanic public liability insurance - how does it work?

Public liability insurance is arguably the most important policy to tradesmen and businesses in the motor trade industry. We’d actually go as far to say that public liability insurance is an absolute must-have policy for mechanics, because of the protection it offers against third-party claims following accidental injuries or property damage.

Imagine, for example, you scratched the paintwork on a customer’s car whilst doing your job. Or what if, as a mobile mechanic, you leave a tool out on the pavement which a member of the public trips over and injures themselves. In both scenarios, when the client or the member of the public makes the claim against your business, public liability insurance can help you fund any legal fees you spend disputing the claim and compensations costs that you’re liable for.

Otherwise, without this policy in place, you’d need to fork out of your own pocket to cover the cost of claims which could be financially straining for you and your business. This is the value of public liability cover for both standard and mobile mechanics.

What insurance does a mechanic need?

We’d recommend to any mechanic that they have public liability insurance in place to protect their business from third-party claims – but there are other additional covers that mechanic can get their hands on too.

There are several types of business insurance that mechanics can consider, such as:

Public liability insurance

The perfect liability cover to protect mechanics against accidental injury and property damage claims.

Employers’ liability insurance

Does your business have employees? Regardless of whether they’re full time or part time employees, you’re legally required to have employers’ liability cover.

Service indemnity cover

If a client makes a claim because they don’t believe that the service your motor trade business has provided isn’t up to scratch or fixed the vehicle problem they had, service indemnity cover can help keep you covered.

Tools insurance

Having comprehensive cover means keeping your tools or business equipment protected in case they are stolen, lost or damaged. Tools cover can help with replacements and repairs.

Road risk insurance

A mobile mechanic may offer as part of their service to drive customer vehicles to and from their home and the repair centre. If so, road risk cover can protect your business in the event that an accident occurs involving the client’s vehicle whilst driving. Due to the risks involved with vehicle transport, road risk cover is a very commonly bought motor trade policy throughout the industry.

Business van insurance

For mobile mechanics especially, keeping their vehicle on the road even when the worst happens, is crucial for their business. That’s where business van insurance can help.

Personal accident insurance

Self-employed mechanics can’t afford to miss a day away from their work. Personal accident insurance covers your income if you find yourself unable to work again, until you’re back on your feet again.

Legal Expenses insurance

Defending yourself against legal action can be costly, but that’s the purpose of legal expenses cover, to cover those legal costs.

Still not sure what insurance both you and your business needs? No problem. Speak to a member of our team and we can help you build a standard or mobile mechanic insurance package that ticks all your boxes.

How much does mobile mechanic insurance cost?

The price that you can expect to pay for standard or mobile mechanics’ insurance policy premium will vary depending on several factors, including:

• Your claims history
• The level of cover you opt for (third party fire and theft, or comprehensive?)
• The types of cover you include in your policy
• The size of your business and number of employees
• Where your business is located
• The type of mechanic business you operate
• Whether you pay for your policy upfront or in monthly instalments

Due to these factors, and that fact that every insurance provider and potential policyholder is different, it’s hard to put a finger right away on exactly how much you can expect to pay for a policy.

However, you can get in touch with us, and we can help you get your hands on a mechanic policy quote right away, as well as let you know how much you can expect to pay once we’ve got all the necessary information from you.

You can get in touch with us today by either giving us a call on 01527 879 777, scrolling up the page and clicking Get a quote, or by visiting your local Howden branch.

With Howden, you also have the option to pay for your insurance policy via direct debit, if that's your preference.

Who do we also insure?

Not only can we help mechanics, but we can also offer cover for a wide range of other tradesmen, such as:

• Bricklayers
• Builders
• Carpenters
• Car Valets
• Cleaners
• Contractors All-Risk
• Contractors
• Electricians
• Gardeners & Landscapers
• Gas Engineers
• Handymen
• Limited Companies
• Market Traders
• Painters and Decorators
• Plumbers
• Roofers
• Sole Traders
• Subcontractors
• Tradesmen
• Tree Surgeons
• Window Cleaners

Related Articles

Want to learn more about insurance for mechanics? Have a read of the articles below that you can find on the Howden Blog!

• Trade plates for the motor industry: Everything you need to know
• Tools stolen every 15 minutes – latest cost to the trade revealed
• What is Public Liability Insurance? (Full Guide)

Mechanic Insurance FAQs