MOT Station Insurance
Tailored cover for MOT testing stations and garages, from specialist motor trade insurers.
- One short form, then specialist insurers contact you
- Road risks or combined cover for your garage
- Options for loss of MOT licence, tools and stock
MOT Station Insurance in short
MOT station insurance is a motor trade policy built for businesses that carry out MOT testing and related automotive work. It can combine road risks, public liability, employers' liability, tools, stock, business interruption and premises cover, and some policies add loss of MOT licence cover. Complete one short form and specialist insurers on a panel will contact you with tailored quotes.
Key facts
- Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement in the UK if your MOT garage has staff.
- Road risks cover is available at three levels: Third Party Only, Third Party Fire and Theft, and Fully Comprehensive.
- Combined insurance adds public liability, employers' liability, business interruption, stock and professional indemnity to road risks.
- Some policies include loss of MOT licence cover, which protects your income if your licence is revoked or suspended.
- Employees with driving convictions can increase your premium, so limiting named drivers may help reduce the cost.
Michael's take
If you run an MOT station, I would not treat loss of licence cover as an optional extra. Your testing licence is what sets you apart from a general garage, and losing it even temporarily can stop your income overnight. Compare quotes every year, keep an eye on who you name as a driver, and make sure the policy actually reflects the services you offer rather than a generic motor trade template.
What is MOT station insurance?
MOT station insurance is a motor trade policy designed for businesses that provide MOT testing and other related automotive work. It is a form of motor trade insurance, tailored to the particular risks of running a licensed testing station.
A policy can bring together several types of cover, including road risks, combined cover, employers' liability, public liability, stock protection, tools and premises cover. Because every MOT business is different, the cover is usually built around your garage rather than sold as a fixed package.
Why does an MOT garage need more than basic motor trade insurance?
As a licensed MOT operator you are responsible for making sure vehicles meet legal standards, and that brings risks a general motor trader does not face. The most specific is the potential loss of your MOT licence.
Some MOT garage policies include loss of MOT licence cover, which helps protect you financially if your licence is revoked or suspended because of regulatory issues, so you are not left without income while you resolve the situation. Protecting against these risks helps keep the business running and guards against unexpected financial setbacks.
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What does MOT station insurance cover?
Cover is normally built on either road risks or a combined policy, with extra options added to fit your garage.
- Road risks insurance: covers your garage's own vehicles and customer vehicles while they are being worked on or test driven for business purposes. It comes at three levels: Third Party Only, Third Party Fire and Theft, and Fully Comprehensive. Smaller MOT businesses and part-time motor traders often choose this cover.
- Combined insurance: goes beyond road risks to include public liability, employers' liability, business interruption, stock cover, professional indemnity and more. It suits larger garages that need wider protection for premises, tools and employees.
- Employers' liability: a legal requirement if you have staff. It covers your business if an employee is injured or falls ill as a result of working at your garage.
- Public liability: protects your business if a member of the public is injured or their property is damaged because of your business operations.
- Tools and stock cover: protects your essential tools and any stock you hold, such as spare parts, from damage or theft.
- Business interruption: provides financial compensation if your garage has to close temporarily after an unforeseen event such as a fire or flood, so your overheads are covered while you recover.
Is employers' liability insurance a legal requirement for MOT garages?
Yes. If you employ staff, employers' liability insurance is required by law in the UK. It covers your business if an employee suffers an injury or illness because of their work, and operating without it can lead to hefty fines.
Employers' liability is included in most combined motor trade policies. If you only hold road risks cover and take on staff, you will need to add it.
What is not covered by MOT station insurance?
A road risks only policy does not cover your premises, tools, stock, liabilities or lost income; it is limited to vehicles in your custody or being driven for the business. Those protections need to be added or taken through a combined policy.
Loss of MOT licence cover is not automatic either. Only some policies offer it, so if it matters to you, ask for it when you discuss your options. Because no two MOT businesses are the same, the right way to find any gaps is to go through your services and risks with an adviser before you buy.
How much does MOT station insurance cost?
There is no standard price. The cost depends on the size of your garage, the number of vehicles you handle, the types of cover you choose and your claims history.
Who you add to the policy also matters. Employees with driving convictions can push up the premium, so limiting the number of named drivers may help reduce the cost. Comparing quotes from several specialist providers at each renewal is the most reliable way to check you are paying a fair rate for the cover you need.
How do I compare MOT station insurance quotes?
Complete one short quote form and your details go to a panel of specialist motor trade and MOT garage insurers. Those insurers then contact you with quotes tailored to your business.
Working with specialists means you can talk through the right combination of covers for the size of your garage, the services you offer and the risks you face, rather than guessing. Quote Goat is rated 4.8/5 on Reviews.io, with 97% of customers saying they would recommend us.
Frequently asked questions
Is employers' liability insurance mandatory for MOT garages?
Yes. If you have employees, employers' liability insurance is legally required in the UK. It covers your business if an employee suffers injury or illness because of their work, and without it you could face hefty fines.
Do I need cover for loss of my MOT licence?
Some MOT garage insurance policies offer loss of MOT licence cover. It protects you financially if your licence is revoked or suspended because of regulatory issues, so you are not left without income while you resolve the matter. It is worth asking for if your testing work is a major part of your income.
Can I add tools and equipment to my MOT garage insurance?
Yes, you can generally include tools and equipment cover in an MOT garage policy. It protects the essential tools and machinery your business relies on against theft, loss or damage.
What is business interruption insurance and do I need it?
Business interruption insurance covers loss of income if your MOT garage has to close temporarily because of an unforeseen event such as a fire or flood. It helps cover your overheads so the business can recover financially during the downtime. It is usually part of a combined policy rather than road risks only cover.
What is the difference between road risks and combined cover for an MOT garage?
Road risks covers your own and customer vehicles while they are worked on or test driven, at Third Party Only, Third Party Fire and Theft or Fully Comprehensive level. Combined cover adds public liability, employers' liability, business interruption, stock cover and professional indemnity, and suits larger garages with premises, tools and staff to protect.
How much does MOT garage insurance typically cost?
The cost depends on the size of your garage, the number of vehicles you handle, the cover types you choose and your claims history. Comparing quotes from several specialist providers is the best way to find a fair price for your needs.
How do I get MOT station insurance quotes through Quote Goat?
You complete one short form and your details are sent to a panel of specialist motor trade and MOT garage insurers. They then contact you with quotes tailored to your business, and you can discuss the right combination of covers with an adviser.
Motor Trade Insurance for your business
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Written by Michael Foote, Insurance & Finance Expert
Founder of Quote Goat, with over 20 years' experience in finance and insurance. He has appeared on TV and in Forbes, The Telegraph and The Metro.
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Quote Goat passes your details to a specialist motor trade insurance partner, who will contact you with quotes. This page is general information, not advice. Always check the policy documents to make sure the cover meets your needs.