Crossroads · Independent since 1978

Car Dealer Insurance

Buying and selling vehicles. Tell us how you trade.

Car dealer insurance needs to reflect your stock, your drivers and the way vehicles move through your business. Speak to Crossroads about motor trade cover for your buying and selling activities.

Crouch End, North London

Speak to our team

How you trade

Start with your business, not just a vehicle.

Trading from home

Tell us where stock is kept, how customers view vehicles and whether you use another storage location. A residential address does not by itself establish that vehicles or trading activities are insured.

A forecourt or premises

Explain the premises, security, maximum stock value and customer visits. Road risk cover and protection for vehicles at your premises are separate points to check.

Full-time or part-time

Tell us when the business began, your motor trade experience and any other occupation. Acceptance and evidence of genuine trading depend on the insurer.

Road risk, stock and customer vehicles

One limit may not cover every vehicle, driver or location.

We’ll establish what you buy and sell, who owns the vehicles and where they are kept. Mention prestige cars, imports, modified vehicles or commercial vehicles at the outset.

Tell us whether you also repair, service, recover or deliver vehicles. Those activities need to be declared alongside sales.

Driving for the business

Discuss collection, delivery, taking vehicles for preparation and the people who need to drive. The certificate determines permitted drivers and use.

Vehicles you own or hold

Separate your own vehicles, stock for sale and vehicles held on behalf of customers. Discuss indemnity limits per vehicle and the maximum value at each location.

Demonstration and test drives

Ask about customer test drives and accompanied or unaccompanied demonstration cover. Do not assume a prospective buyer is insured to drive.

Have these details ready

You can start with a short enquiry. For a fuller quotation, it helps to have:

Your business structure, trading name and start date.
Trading and storage addresses, premises type and where vehicles are kept overnight.
Motor trade activities and the approximate split between them.
The highest vehicle value and maximum total stock value.
Driver details, claims history and existing motor trade or private car no claims bonus.
Your current insurer, renewal date and cover required.

Road risk cover does not automatically insure your premises, tools, stock at every location or business liabilities. We can discuss combined motor trade insurance where wider business protection is needed.

Car dealer insurance questions

Can I enquire if I am just starting to buy and sell cars?

Yes. Tell us about your plans, experience and intended stock. New venture acceptance and any evidence required will depend on the insurer.

Is buying and selling covered by my private car policy?

Do not assume so. Explain the commercial activity before using vehicles for the business. A private car policy is not a substitute for motor trade cover.

Can I use private car no claims bonus?

Tell us the number of years, the policy type and whether it is still being used elsewhere. We will check whether the insurer can recognise it; it is not automatically transferable.

Does motor trade insurance cover every vehicle I buy?

No. Vehicle type, value, ownership, use and storage restrictions can apply. Check a proposed purchase against your policy before relying on cover.

Do I need to tell you about repairs as well as sales?

Yes. Declare all trading activities, including work undertaken by others on your behalf where relevant. We can then establish the information the insurer needs.

Can you insure motorcycles as part of this enquiry?

Crossroads does not arrange motorcycle insurance. This enquiry is for eligible car and commercial vehicle trading activities.

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Let’s talk about your cover.

Choose a callback or share your quote details. We’ll explain the available cover, costs and conditions so you can decide.

An enquiry does not put cover in place. Your policy documents and confirmed start date set out the insurance arranged.