Motor trade cover explained

Road Risk Insurance for Motor Traders

Road risk insurance is the on-road part of a motor trade policy. It can insure customer, stock or other declared vehicles while authorised people drive them for road testing, collection, delivery or demonstration. The schedule must clearly describe who may drive, why, where and which vehicles are accepted.

What is normally covered

  • Collision and overturning during an authorised trip
  • Theft or hijacking during covered use
  • Third-party property damage liability
  • Road tests, collection and delivery where listed
  • Towing after an insured accident, within policy limits

What is normally excluded

  • Ordinary commuting or personal use unless declared
  • Driving without a valid licence or permission
  • Use outside stated radius or borders
  • Driving under the influence or reckless illegal use
  • Mechanical failure without insured resultant accident damage
  • Unaccompanied customer test drives unless specifically extended
Realistic claim example

A customer vehicle is hijacked on delivery

A panel beater’s driver is returning a repaired bakkie to its owner when it is hijacked at a traffic light.

How cover may respond: Road risk may respond to the vehicle loss if delivery use, the driver and hijacking are insured and all tracking or reporting conditions are met.

Important: The policy excess and vehicle valuation basis will determine the settlement.

Who needs this cover

  • Repairers conducting road tests
  • Businesses collecting and delivering vehicles
  • Dealerships moving or demonstrating stock
  • Panel beaters using customer vehicles on public roads

Information insurers require

  • Trip purposes and estimated frequency
  • Driver list or driver-selection rules
  • Vehicle types and maximum values
  • Geographical radius and cross-border exposure
  • Tracking, key control and incident procedures

What affects the premium

  • Distance and frequency travelled
  • Driver profile and young-driver exposure
  • High-performance or luxury vehicles
  • Theft and hijacking areas
  • Cover basis, excess and liability limit

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.