Compare Van Insurance for Mechanics

Why Do Mechanics Need Specialist Van Insurance?

Mechanics rely on their vans every day to transport diagnostic equipment, power tools, engine parts, and workshop supplies. Whether you operate from a garage, travel as a mobile mechanic, or repair customer vehicles on the road, having van insurance is a legal requirement under the UK Road Traffic Act 1988. Every van must have at least third party cover to drive on public roads.

Standard car insurance does not protect you while you are transporting tools, repairing a customer’s car, collecting parts, or working on-site. A specialist mechanic insurance policy protects your tools, equipment, customers' vehicles in your care, and your van itself if something goes wrong.

Without the right type of cover, a small accident or theft can lead to large financial loss — especially if your business relies on expensive tools or diagnostic equipment.

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What Types of Cover Are Available for Mechanics?

Mechanics can choose from different types of cover. The best one for them depends on where they work, the way they do their job, and the tools or things they have with them. Each type of cover helps protect them from different risks and costs.

Types of Cover for Mechanics (2025 ABI market averages)

Type of Cover	What It Protects	Typical Annual Cost (UK)
Third Party Only	Minimum legal requirement. Covers injury or damage to others.	£520–£680
Third Party Fire & Theft	Adds theft and fire protection for your van.	£650–£900
Comprehensive Cover	Repairs your own van after accidental damage, even if you’re at fault.	£850–£1,200
Comprehensive Van Insurance + Tools Cover	Includes tools, diagnostic equipment and own goods in transit.	£1,050–£1,550

Figures are based on 2025 ABI averages across mechanics, motor trade workers, and mobile mechanic insurance policies.

Mechanics often have to use tools that cost a lot, or they may need to travel between jobs. They can get more out of comprehensive van insurance when they add extra coverage, like tools and public liability insurance. This kind of coverage helps them feel safe and protected at all times.

What Does a Mechanic Van Insurance Policy Cover?

A typical commercial van insurance policy for mechanics includes protection for the van, the tools, and the business.

Standard features include:

Cover for accidental damage to your van
Tool cover and protection for diagnostic and repair equipment
Public liability if a member of the public is injured or property is damaged
Legal expenses and legal fees for disputes or claims
Breakdown cover and roadside assistance
Medical expenses and personal injury benefits after an accident
Theft cover for the van and tools
Vehicle cover for customers' cars in your care when loading/unloading

What Does a Mechanic Van Insurance Policy Cover

Mechanics working as a sole trader or small motor trade business can combine business van insurance with business insurance (e.g., public liability or service indemnity) to get better rates from one insurer.

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Why Is Public Liability Insurance Important for Mechanics?

Mechanics work in situations where property damage or injury can occur, especially around heavy tools and vehicles. Public liability insurance protects you if something goes wrong.

Public liability insurance protects you and your business from trouble that can come up. With liability insurance, you and your work are safer if there is an accident.

It covers:

Injury to people who are close by
Harm to the client’s things or to the customer’s vehicle
Money you have to pay for claims
Legal costs and help from a lawyer
Accidents that happen when you use tools, if someone slips, spills something, or when a vehicle moves

Most mechanics choose public liability insurance that covers between £1 million and £5 million. The amount they pick can be based on the contract they sign, the rules in the workshop, or the site where they work.

Public liability does not come with every mechanic insurance policy. If you are a mechanic, you need to read the policy documents before you choose the one for you. When you look at mechanic insurance quotes, see if the cover has public liability.

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What Optional Extras Can Mechanics Add to Their Van Insurance?

Mechanics can change their insurance to make it work for their job. They have the option to add extras that help take care of their tools. These optional extras also help protect their work when things go wrong or when customer vehicles are being fixed.

Useful Optional Add-Ons for Mechanics

Optional Extra	What It Does	Estimated Cost (per year)
Tools in Transit	Covers tools and diagnostic equipment while travelling.	£60–£160
Courtesy Van	Temporary van while yours is repaired after a claim.	£40–£90
Legal Expenses Cover	Pays for solicitor costs and legal advice.	£25–£110
Breakdown Cover	24/7 roadside and recovery support.	£40–£120
Personal Accident Cover	Pays compensation for injury in an accident.	£25–£70
Goods in Transit	Covers engine parts, equipment, or supplies being transported.	£50–£130
Premises Cover	Protects work equipment kept inside garage or unit overnight.	£60–£150
Road Risk Insurance	Covers customer vehicles driven as part of a job.	Cost varies by risk and experience

Optional extras help mechanics choose the right level of cover for both workshop-based and mobile mechanic roles.

What Factors Affect the Cost of Van Insurance for Mechanics?

Insurers consider several trade-specific risk factors when giving a van insurance quote.

Key pricing factors:

Type of van — bigger vans that have more power will be pricier to fix.
Place of work — when you work in a city or high-risk place, the cost gets higher.
Claims history — when you make more claims, you need to pay more for premiums.
Levels of cover — comprehensive cover gives you better safety for your own vehicle, but you will pay more.
Security features — if your van has CCTV, trackers, or immobilisers, you help lower the chance of theft.
Named drivers — if you put more drivers on your policy, your premium will go up.
Carriage of goods — if you use your van to move parts or equipment, this will change the price.
Vehicle value — if your van is worth more on the market, you will face a higher premium.
Business purposes — when you use your van for business instead of only personal use, the price will be higher.

Estimated Annual Costs (2025 ABI Market Data)

Type of Mechanic Role	Typical Annual Cost Range (UK)
Workshop-based mechanic	£750 – £1,180
Mobile mechanic	£900 – £1,450
Mechanic working across multiple sites	£1,050 – £1,550

Mobile mechanics often have to pay more. This is because they have a bigger chance of their tools getting stolen. They also drive more miles for work. This adds to the cost for them.

Why Is Comprehensive Cover Recommended for Mechanics?

Mechanics often work on customer vehicles and also use heavy machines and expensive tools. The best way to keep all of these safe is to get comprehensive van insurance.

It normally includes:

You get cover if you damage your own van, even if it’s your fault.
Have protection for theft of tools and diagnostic equipment.
Be covered if hit by drivers who have no insurance.
You get cover for personal belongings that are stored in a safe way.
Use repair centres approved by the company, with parts that are guaranteed.
Get help for medical expenses.

It costs more, but it reduces disruption to work and protects both earnings and equipment — especially for mobile mechanics.

How to Compare Van Insurance Quotes for Mechanics

It can take a lot of time to check prices on your own. This is because insurance policies for mechanics are not the same for everyone. The price depends on the tools you use, the way you work with your customers, and how far you go for your job. The best way to get the right coverage and a good price is to use a trusted comparison platform.

5 Steps to Compare Quotes

Enter your van registration number and your postcode.
Choose the level of cover you want and the type of insurance that fits your trade.
It can be good to add extras you need, like breakdown cover or legal expenses.
Check the policy documents. See if there are any exclusions or rules about voluntary excess.
Look at the prices. Pick an insurer that is approved by the FCA.

Using a trusted site to compare van insurance can help mechanics feel good about what they pick. You get clear and fair options. This means it's easy to keep your stuff, tools, and shop safe.

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What Happens After a Claim Is Made?

If your van gets damaged when you are working, driving in traffic, or carrying parts, you should do these things:

Tell your insurer right away about the situation. Let them know what happened.
Give them proof. This can be photos, videos, names of people who saw it, and police information if there was personal injury or something was taken.
The insurer checks for accidental damage or personal injury. They also look at how much it will be to fix the problem.
If you have legal expenses cover, this could pay for solicitor fees if an issue comes up.
When the driver at fault does not have insurance, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) may pay for the losses.

A fast and clear report helps the insurer fix or swap vans and tools in less time. With this, mechanics have less downtime. They do not lose much income.

FAQs About Van Insurance for Mechanics

Most mechanics choose comprehensive cover. This type of cover helps protect the van. It also protects the tools and equipment. The cover does not only pay for damage to other vehicles.

You do not always need this. Sometimes, you may need in transit tools cover or mechanic tools insurance. It will help if your tools are stolen or if there is accidental damage.

You can drive a customer’s vehicle only when your policy includes road risk cover or service indemnity. This keeps you safe if you need to move or test the customer’s vehicle while you work.

Yes, you can do this if the policy lets you use the car for social and home trips. You need to read the policy details. That way, you will know if personal use is allowed or not.

Not every plan is like the other. Some have liability insurance in them. But many mean you have to get public liability insurance on its own if you are a mechanic.

Mobile mechanic insurance may cost more than other mechanic insurance. The reason is that a mobile mechanic has to drive a lot, go to different places, and face bigger risk of theft. So, to have mobile mechanic insurance, you may need to pay more.

Mechanics work with and move costly equipment. They are often near customer vehicles, which can be worth a lot. This means there is more risk for the people who give insurance.

Yes. Vans that have alarms, deadlocks, tracking devices, or CCTV proof often get lower premiums. When you add the security items, the cost to insure your van can go down. This is because the items help keep it safe and stop theft. Insurance companies like vans that have to more security since they see them as less likely to be stolen.

Most people have personal injury cover when they get comprehensive insurance. But you can also add personal accident cover. This way, you can get more help with money if you have an accident and something happens to you.

Yes. If you have a good claims history and you do not file new claims, you often pay less for insurance.

Yes. Mechanics can get temporary cover. This is good for people who often switch vans or borrow vans for some jobs.

Yes. Some insurance companies and trade brokers have plans made just for people in the motor trade industry. These plans work well for mechanics who carry tools, go from one job to the next, or handle customer vehicles.

Most insurers will ask to see your driving licence, your van registration number, proof that you really live at your address, and your claims history. If you work as a mobile mechanic or in a motor trade business, they may also need some basic business details. They will want to see any no-claims discount that you have, too.

Compare Van Insurance for Mechanics

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Why Do Mechanics Need Specialist Van Insurance?

What Types of Cover Are Available for Mechanics?

Types of Cover for Mechanics (2025 ABI market averages)