Insurance For Mechanics

A mechanic may not be the first profession to come to mind when you think of a dangerous job. However, it is one of the many professions that can expose people to hazards. While you and your staff will be committed to following health and safety guidelines on and off-site, accidents can and do happen. Here are just some of the risks that mechanics face at work:

Fire: Working with so many flammable materials, such as chemicals, oils, and fuel, with hot machinery and engines can pose a fire risk. A potential fire may cause injury to staff and customers on your premises, along with damage caused to your equipment, garage and your customers’ cars and belongings. If the correct cover isn’t in place, these issues could land you in financial hot water.

Road risks: Even if your main time is spent in the garage, you still need to consider road hazards as a mechanic. Whether you’re testing work on a motor or performing an MOT service, you’ll need to find out if any problems with a vehicle in your care persist when driving on the road. What’s more, if you’re a mobile mechanic specialising in breakdowns and roadside recovery, the location of the vehicle you’re recovering may create a hazard on the road for both you and other drivers. Having a road-risk policy will give you peace of mind that if you’re called out, you’re covered in the event of an accident.

Injuries: As a car mechanic, you’re no stranger to working with heavy machinery and equipment. Unfortunately, anything from cuts, burns, bruises and electric shocks can be occupational hazards, whether caused by accident or equipment malfunctioning. Employers and public liability insurance for mechanics and garages will protect your business in case of a claim for compensation for your employees and your business if anyone is injured at work.

Theft: Thieves target garages and auto shops to steal tools, vehicles, and cash stored on-site – which can be a huge financial hit for you and your customers. Even as a result of the attempted break-in, your premises may still be damaged which could hit you financially. We can help you to tailor a motor trade policy to include cover for cash, tools, equipment, and third-party vehicles on-site, alongside building insurance.

You’ll need solid mechanical knowledge and hands-on experience working with a range of vehicles.

If you’re just starting out, consider working in a traditional garage first to build confidence and develop practical skills.

Qualifications wise, most mobile mechanics have:

• A background as a qualified vehicle technician
• An NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (or equivalent)
• Experience working in a garage or dealership

When opting for mechanics liability insurance on your motor trade policy, the number of employees might affect your premium. If your business employs many mechanics and auto shop staff, your quote may be slightly higher than those offered to a smaller business or a self-employed mechanic. The age of your employees will not need to be factored into this type of cover.

Employers’ liability insurance is necessary for any business to protect your livelihood should someone claim compensation after a workplace injury. Legally, the minimum required employer liability cover that you should have must be approximately £5,000,000.

Mechanics and service garages must prove to insurers that they are genuine motor traders.

Any evidence that you are an active business will support your application for motor trader insurance. These could be receipts and invoices from any repair works and services, along with documents proving that you have garage and auto shop premises.

If you’re searching for more information about the Motor Insurance Database, read the following guides:

• What Is The Motor Insurance Database?
• How To Update The Motor Insurance Database.