Motor trade cover explained

Motor Traders External Risks Insurance

Motor Traders External Risks covers specified classes of vehicles while they are being driven away from the insured premises for motor trade purposes—for example road testing after repair, collection or delivery. Drivers, use, radius and vehicle types must fit the schedule. It is different from internal risks, which applies mainly at the premises.

What is normally covered

  • Road tests after servicing or repairs
  • Collection and delivery of customer vehicles
  • Movement between declared branches or approved suppliers
  • Accidental road damage and third-party liability where scheduled
  • Theft or hijacking while the vehicle is in authorised use
  • Approved employees or drivers named or described by the policy

What is normally excluded

  • Private or social use not authorised by the schedule
  • Unlicensed, unauthorised or intoxicated drivers
  • Unroadworthy vehicles unless being moved under specifically agreed conditions
  • Racing, speed testing or use beyond the territorial limits
  • Mechanical breakdown, wear and tear or tyre damage alone
  • Vehicles or values outside the declared acceptance limits
Realistic claim example

A technician crashes during a post-repair road test

After replacing suspension components, a licensed technician takes a customer’s SUV on an authorised 8 km road test and collides with another vehicle.

How cover may respond: External risks may cover damage to the SUV and the third party, subject to driver, road-test, excess and liability terms.

Important: If defective fitting caused the collision, the insurer will also examine the workmanship wording and exclusions.

Who needs this cover

  • Workshops that road-test vehicles
  • Dealers offering demonstrations
  • Panel beaters collecting or delivering vehicles
  • Fitment centres testing installed equipment
  • Vehicle traders moving stock between sites

Information insurers require

  • Purpose, frequency and maximum radius of trips
  • Driver ages, licence codes and driving records
  • Highest individual vehicle value and vehicle categories
  • Trade plates and registration arrangements
  • Road-test and handover procedures
  • Motor and liability claims history

What affects the premium

  • Number and experience of authorised drivers
  • Road-test radius and annual driving exposure
  • Vehicle values, performance and repair costs
  • Driver excess structure and tracking requirements
  • Past collisions, thefts and hijackings
Relevant trade pages

Cover should match the way you trade

Related cover

Get cover based on your actual risk

Tell us what vehicles you handle, where they are kept and how they are used. A specialist can compare suitable terms and explain the important conditions before you bind cover.

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This is a general explanation, not advice or a policy contract. Cover is subject to the insurer’s schedule, wording, limits, excesses and conditions.