Motor trade preparation guide
Documents Needed for Motor Trade Insurance
A well-prepared submission can reduce delays, avoid repeated questions and help insurers understand the business accurately.
Core business information
- Business identityLegal entity, trading name, address, company number and trading history.
- ActivitiesA complete description of repairs, sales, recovery, valeting, MOT testing or other work.
- Turnover and wagesGive current and expected figures. Split them where different activities create different risks.
- ClaimsInsurers may ask for several years of claims history. Include any claims that are still open.
Road risk information
Prepare driver names and dates of birth. Include licence details, convictions, claims and occupations. Also list the types of vehicles driven and their highest values.
Combined-policy information
List the buildings, contents, machinery, tools and stock to be covered. Include customer vehicle values, security details and construction. Insurers may also ask about fire protection and business interruption.
Motor trade renewal preparation
Create one evidence pack for underwriting, terms and renewal
A motor trade submission should explain the business rather than simply attach a collection of files. Start with a short activity summary covering sales, servicing, MOT work, body repairs, recovery, collection and delivery, subcontracting and any work on unusual vehicles. Then connect each statement to supporting records.
Financial documents help demonstrate the scale and mix of trading. Vehicle purchase and sale invoices, accounts, turnover splits, wage figures and VAT information can show whether the requested cover matches the real operation. Premises documents should cover occupancy, construction, security, alarms, fire protection, machinery and values.
Keep a controlled renewal folder with the final proposal information, claims history, driver schedule, vehicle limits, insurer questions, policy schedule and endorsements. When a fact changes after inception, save the notification and response in the same place so the next renewal is based on a complete history.
- Business activity and turnover breakdown
- Director, employee and driver information
- Premises, security and fire-protection evidence
- Tools, machinery, stock and customer-vehicle values
- Claims runs with explanations and corrective actions
- Current schedule, endorsements and mid-term change records
The best document pack is indexed, current and internally consistent, allowing an underwriter to follow the operation without guessing what each attachment is meant to prove.