For those in the trade of repairing and maintaining commercial vehicles, whether coaches, buses, or heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), the responsibility is substantial. You’re not just fixing a machine; you’re keeping transport networks, companies, and logistics systems rolling and safe. That makes mechanics insurance essential. But not all cover is created equal.
At Ashburnham Insurance, we have years of experience helping mechanics find the right protection for their unique risks. We’re able to source competitive, tailored insurance packages, including access to more specialised cover such as Service Indemnity, which may not be offered as standard elsewhere.
Understanding the Risks for Large Vehicle Mechanics
While all mechanics face hazards, those working on large commercial vehicles deal with more intense demands and higher-value assets. Whether you’re servicing a coach fleet or carrying out HGV diagnostics at a depot, there’s very little margin for error. These vehicles are often worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, and clients rely on them to keep their businesses operating smoothly.
Simple mistakes like a faulty reassembly or an error during maintenance can quickly turn into costly liability claims. There’s also the potential for damage during cleaning or test-driving, or unexpected issues during routine inspections. Such accidents, though not deliberate, may have severe consequences.
Without the right insurance in place, a single event could leave a business out of pocket or even exposed to legal action.
What Does Mechanics Insurance Cover?
An insurance policy for mechanics is designed to protect your business against both everyday operational risks and more serious incidents. These might include accidental damage to a third party’s property, injuries to customers or employees, and loss of essential tools or equipment.
For mechanics working on HGVs, lorries, buses or coaches, having comprehensive liability protection is particularly important. These are large, complex machines, and something as small as a missed inspection or a faulty part can lead to real financial consequences.
It’s also worth noting that many policies on the market don’t extend to cover damage to a vehicle while it is being worked on. That’s where many mechanics unknowingly leave themselves vulnerable.
The Value of Service Indemnity Cover
One of the most important yet often overlooked forms of protection for commercial vehicle mechanics is Service Indemnity cover. This optional extension covers accidental damage caused to a customer’s vehicle while it’s in your care for repair, servicing, maintenance, or even cleaning.
It might not sound like something that happens often, but in practice, it’s more common than you might think. For example, an electrical fault could be triggered during diagnostics. A door might get damaged during cleaning. Or a test drive could reveal a previously unnoticed issue that a client claims was caused by your work.
Many standard public liability policies do not cover damage to the vehicle itself if it happens during the repair or service process. This is often a surprise to mechanics, who assume their liability insurance has them covered. Without Service Indemnity in place, the cost of repairing that damage would fall to you.
Ashburnham Insurance can help you secure a policy that includes this important feature, so that you’re protected not only from the obvious risks but also from the ones that are easily overlooked.
Who Should Consider This Type of Cover?
Whether you’re a self-employed mobile mechanic servicing HGVs at distribution centres or you run a busy garage that handles coach fleet maintenance, Service Indemnity is well worth considering. If you ever take control of a client’s vehicle, even for a short time, there’s a potential liability you’ll want covered.
This is especially true in the commercial vehicle sector, where the vehicles involved are high-value and their owners are often dependent on keeping them operational. A delay or fault that causes downtime can quickly result in a dissatisfied client, and potentially a claim against your business.
That’s why, at Ashburnham Insurance, we often recommend this cover for coach, bus, and HGV mechanics, as it fills a crucial gap that many standard policies leave open.
Why Work with Ashburnham Insurance?
Unlike insurers who offer one-size-fits-all policies online, Ashburnham Insurance work on your behalf to help you get the right policy at the right price, by understanding your business first and then sourcing cover from reputable insurers across the UK.
Because we understand the work you do, we know what to look for in a policy. And if you’re not sure what cover you need, we’re happy to explain it in plain English, no jargon, and no pressure.
Whether you’re a sole trader working from a van or you manage a team of technicians in a large workshop, we can help you arrange insurance that fits. That includes options for:
- Public liability insurance
- Employers’ liability insurance (if you have staff)
- Tools and equipment cover
- Service Indemnity
- Legal expenses
- Business interruption
We arrange everything, saving you time, reducing the risk of being underinsured, and ensuring that you’re properly covered for the work you carry out every day.
Protect Your Business Today
Coach, bus and HGV mechanics perform important work, and with that responsibility comes risk. At Ashburnham Insurance, we’re here to help you manage that risk with specialist cover that’s built around your business.
If you’re unsure whether your current policy includes Service Indemnity, or if you’re looking to switch providers and improve your cover, get in touch with our team. We can assist you in navigating your choices and working out the best insurance for your requirements. Call us on 0800 1696137 to get started.