A strong motor-trade renewal begins with an accurate description of the business, not a copy of last year’s proposal. Garages, dealers and repairers change gradually—new staff, higher vehicle values, extra equipment or different work—so the renewal file should be rebuilt and checked.
1. Map every activity
List mechanical repair, MOT testing, bodywork, sales, recovery, mobile work, tyre fitting, vehicle storage and any specialist processes. Reconcile turnover across those activities. New work such as EV repair, ADAS calibration, welding or performance modifications should be declared specifically.
2. Reconcile drivers and vehicles
Confirm names, dates of birth, licence details, convictions, claims and roles. Remove people who no longer drive and obtain approval for anyone outside standard criteria. Review maximum stock and customer-vehicle values, not just average values.
3. Revalue property
Buildings, tenants’ improvements, lifts, diagnostic tools, stock and machinery should reflect realistic replacement cost. Include installation, debris removal, professional fees and lead times where relevant.
4. Explain customer-vehicle exposure
Record the peak number and value held, overnight arrangements, key security, collection and delivery, road testing and external storage. Parts delays can cause temporary accumulations that exceed ordinary levels.
5. Build the claims narrative
Obtain a current insurer claims record and compare it with workshop files. Explain large or repeated events and the action taken—security upgrades, torque procedures, driver controls, CCTV or revised storage.
6. Test policy conditions
Read hot-work, alarm, key-security, overnight-storage and vehicle-use endorsements. A condition that no longer matches daily practice should be raised before renewal, not after a claim.
7. Allow enough time
Start well before expiry so errors can be corrected and insurer questions answered. Retain a final copy of all information supplied and compare excesses, limits and restrictions alongside premium.
This is general preparation guidance. CoverPilot is pre-launch and cannot review or place a live renewal.