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Motor trade insurance

We’ve been servicing the Australian motor trade sector for more than 20 years. Let us put our experience to use for you.

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What is motor trade insurance? 

Motor trade insurance is specifically designed for businesses operating in the motor trade or automotive industry including car dealerships, auto repair shops, auto body repairs, auto parts dealers, car rental companies, car auction companies, as well as vehicle importers and exporters.

The standard type of insurance cover available under a motor trade policy is a broad insurance solution designed to help cover your business for the unique risks faced across the automotive industry.

Of course, your package can be tailored to your individual business needs and risks.

Motor trade policies can vary between different insurers, so it’s important to examine policies carefully. We’ve summarised some of the of the general inclusions in a typical motor trade insurance policy on this page, but our motor trade broking team can help you work out which policy is right for you.

Cover we can arrange

Public and product liability

Defend your business against third-party accidents and costly legal fees – and help protect yourself, your employees and your clients. When you need to make a claim, our team will work to get you a fair outcome fast. We’re with you every step of the way.

Professional indemnity insurance

Does your motor trade business offer advice or a service to customers? Professional indemnity cover can help protect you against allegations of errors or omissions, breach of duty, or negligence. It can even cover legal expenses and financial losses incurred by your clients.

Machinery breakdown and electronics

Photocopiers. Computers. Point-of-sale systems. Get covered for material damage to your electronic equipment – and help prevent a technical mishap from crashing your business. Material damage insurance can also cover assets such as buildings, fittings, contents and stock.

Customer motor vehicle

Your customers’ cars are in good hands. Customer motor vehicle cover is added protection – for you and them. It can cover damage, theft, and even test-driving accidents that occur on your property. Your clients will thank you. And so will your bottom line.

Money cover

This covers your business’s money while it’s on your premises – inside and outside of business hours. If a thief makes off with your money, or if something goes awry while you’re taking cash to the bank, money cover can help you get it back.

Property insurance

Property insurance isn’t limited to real estate. On top of covering fines imposed for accidentally breaching a law, it can help cover your business and your business assets – buildings, contents, stock – for physical loss and damage. If it’s on your premises, we can help cover it.

Additional cover we can arrange

Product and services

Business interruption

Help your motor trade business recover after an unexpected, significant property loss – like a shutdown due to a fire or storm.

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Product and services

Commercial property insurance

Let Marsh arrange your commercial property insurance policy to help protect your business’s buildings, contents, and more.

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Product and services

Cybersecurity insurance

Cyber attacks are becoming increasingly common. Help protect your small business with cyber insurance solutions arranged by Marsh.

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Why should I consider insurance for my motor trade business?

The financial strain of an accident or claim may be the straw that breaks your business.

But you can help prevent that – by understanding your business risk exposures and having the right insurance in place.

Some everyday risks your motor trade business could face include:

  • Allegations of faulty workmanship or installation to customer vehicles

  • Damage or theft of vehicle stock, parts, mechanic tools and equipment

  • Unforeseen mechanical and machinery breakdowns 

  • Accidents that damage a customer’s vehicle on your property.

Why Marsh?

Why should you choose Marsh to arrange your insurance solutions?

Trusted by 130 associations

We are proud to be the endorsed insurance broker for more than 130 Australian industry groups and member associations, developing insurance solutions that help meet the risk and insurance needs of businesses across a variety of industries.

Local expertise

Our Australia-wide network of brokers have spent years at the coalface supporting business owners manage their unique risks in a fast-changing market. They keep ahead of the latest market insights both local and global and break down the jargon into your language.

Claims support

Handling an insurance claim can quickly become overwhelming, not least when your time is stretched to the limit keeping your business going in the backdrop. We help take the load off and manage, negotiate and settle claims with insurers on your behalf.

Favoured by 800+ businesses

We’ve been the preferred insurance broker for more than 800 Australian motor trade and tyre retail businesses for years. And we couldn’t be prouder. Our insurance brokers are experts in the field of all things motor trades – and they’re ready to help you.

Decades of expertise

Our dedicated brokers have been supporting motor trades clients for more than 20 years. But their industry knowledge goes far deeper. With many years of collective expertise, our broking team can pinpoint your needs – and arrange cover that addresses your most pertinent risks.

Proud VACC partner

We are the insurance broker of choice for the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) – and have been for a number of years. If your business belongs to this vast network of associations, chambers of commerce and business leaders, we can arrange your tailored cover.

Why use a broker?

Choosing business insurance means navigating through products, coverages and policy terminology – with a sales pitch as your only guide. An experienced broker will spot your unique set of risks, match you to the right choice, and advocate for you on price.

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Frequently asked questions

Yes. We can arrange funding for your premium payable in monthly instalments* provided your business meets certain criteria.

Contact us to set up monthly payments for your premiums.

The answer depends on how often your business changes.

As a rule of thumb, we recommend you review your policy at least once a year. This will ensure your business’s current risk exposures are covered.

But major changes – like business growth, greater work complexity or expanded services – should always prompt an insurance review.

Some insurers need to know about certain changes in accordance with your duty of disclosure. If your business has changed recently, contact the Marsh motor trades team to update your policy.

The cost of your motor trade insurance will depend on several factors – including your business size, revenue and services provided. 

For advice specific to your business, you can request a call back to speak to a Marsh advisor.

A motor trade policy can cover for: 

  • Property damage

  • Public and product liability

  • Professional indemnity

  • Business interruption

  • Machinery breakdown

  • Electronic equipment breakdown

  • Glass 

  • Money 

  • Customer vehicle loss or damage.

Have another concern? We can always arrange insurance to suit the specifics of your business.

The types of motor trades clients we can service are ever-expanding. We can cover:

  • Auto electricians

  • Mechanics

  • Tyre retailers and fitters

  • Car dealers

  • Members of the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC).

Some of the cheapest insurance policies might not always offer you the best value insurance package, and you should carefully consider what might be included – and more importantly, excluded – from your cover. You should always take the time to read the policy wording carefully before you compare pricing.

There are some steps you can take to help ensure the cover you purchase is not only right for your business, but also at the best possible price point. These include:

  • Comparing quotes
  • Assessing your needs to avoid unnecessary add-ons or coverage you might not need
  • Increasing risk mitigation strategies (eg security measures) to minimise the chance of an incident occurring
  • Choosing a higher excess
  • Starting your renewal process early to give yourself time to gather all the evidence (eg reports, assessments) that insurers require
  • Working with a speciality business broker who can advocate for you and may be able to negotiate a better price point.

Related insurance solutions

selected option

Business insurance

Need a range of covers to suit your business needs? Explore Marsh’s business bundles for glass, theft, contents cover and more.

   

Learn more

Insurance premium funding

Insurance can be a lifeline. But lump sum premiums can be a hindrance. Pay in monthly instalments with premium funding arranged by Marsh.

Learn more

Commercial property cover

Let Marsh arrange your commercial property insurance policy to help protect your business’s buildings, contents, and more. 

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Auto electrician insurance

Accidents happen – even to experienced electricians. Let us arrange your insurance to help keep you safe from losses and liabilities.

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Car dealer insurance

For car dealerships, theft and damage are pertinent risks. Help protect yourself from financial loss with insurance arranged by Marsh.

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Mechanic insurance

There’s no quick fix for financial losses. Get coverage for accidents, errors or negligence with insurance arranged by Marsh.
  

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Panel beater insurance

Panel beating is a hands-on job. Mitigate risks of damage and financial loss with tailored insurance – arranged by Marsh.

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Marsh Advantage Insurance Pty Ltd (ABN 31 081 358 303, AFSL 238369) (“Marsh”) arranges the general insurance (i.e. not the Discretionary Trust Arrangement) and is not the insurer. This page contains general information and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. For full details of the terms, conditions and limitations of the covers, refer to the specific policy wordings and/or Product Disclosure Statements available from Marsh on request. Marsh makes no representation or warranty concerning the application of policy wordings or the financial condition or solvency of insurers or re-insurers. Marsh makes no assurances regarding the availability, cost, or terms of insurance coverage. Any statements concerning actuarial, tax, accounting, or legal matters are based solely on our experience as insurance brokers and risk consultants and are not to be relied upon as actuarial, accounting, tax, or legal advice, for which you should consult your own professional advisors. The Discretionary Trust Arrangement is issued by the Trustee, JLT Group Services Pty Ltd (ABN 26 004 485 214, AFSL 417964) (“JGS”). Any advice or dealing in relation to the Discretionary Trust Arrangement is provided by JLT Risk Solutions Pty Ltd (ABN 69 009 098 864, AFSL 226 827) (“JLT”). JGS and JLT are businesses of Marsh McLennan. The cover provided by the Discretionary Trust Arrangement is subject to the Trustee’s discretion and/or the relevant policy terms, conditions and exclusions.

LCPA 23/127

*Interest and additional fees will apply.