Motor Trade Insurance in Ireland
Protect Your Business on the Road and On-Site
Looking for motor trade insurance in Ireland? At Dolmen Insurance, we provide specialist cover for garages, motor dealers, mechanics and mobile traders across Ireland. From road risk to full garage and property insurance, our flexible motor trade policies are designed to protect your business, staff and customers — whether you operate from a garage, home, or on the road.
Tailored Insurance Solutions for Every Motor Trade Professional
Our motor trade policies are designed for a wide range of businesses, including:
- Vehicle Sales Dealers – showrooms, forecourts, compounds, or home-based sales
- Mechanical Repairs & Servicing – garages, mobile mechanics, and home workshops
- Panel Beaters & Crash Repair Specialists – workshop-based or mobile bodywork services
- Vehicle Valeting & Detailing – garage or mobile services
- Vehicle Recovery Operators – recovery trucks and roadside assistance
- Auto Electricians – diagnostics and vehicle electronics repair
- Windscreen Fitters – mobile and workshop services
- Tyre & Exhaust Fitters – garage or on-site fitting
- Vehicle Restoration Specialists – classic, custom, and high-performance vehicles
No matter your trade, we tailor a policy that suits your business model and risk profile.
Who do I talk to about Motor Trade Insurance Ireland?
Choosing the right policy is critical to protect your assets, staff, and customers — and at Dolmen, you’re in great hands. Our dedicated Motor Trade Insurance Team combines decades of experience with a genuine passion for helping Irish businesses stay protected and compliant.
When you contact Dolmen, you’ll be speaking directly with our friendly, knowledgeable specialists:
Niall Dunne, Mark Behan, and Mark Farrell – our Motor Trade Specialists, who work closely with garages, mechanics, dealerships, and service centres nationwide to tailor comprehensive Road Risk and Garage & Property cover.
Talk to Gerry & Darren’s Team
Commercial Lines TEam
Why not talk to Gerry and Darren’s team to ensure your business has the protection it needs.
Reach out today – We’re just a call or click away!
Supporting them are our brilliant Motor Trade Executives – Lisa Turnbull, Noelle Delaney, and Rachel Baird Shannon – experts in managing policies, claims, and renewals with efficiency, care, and a personal touch.
Together, the team will:
Assess the specific risks in your motor trade business
Recommend the most suitable Road Risk or Garage & Property coverage
Tailor optional add-ons to fit your business model
Clearly explain all limits, exclusions, and claims processes
Ensure your policy keeps pace with any changes to your business
With Dolmen, you’re not just getting insurance — you’re getting a trusted partner who knows the motor trade inside out and genuinely cares about your success.
Why Choose Dolmen for Motor Trade Insurance?
- Irish Expertise – specialists in motor trade insurance for dealerships, garages, and mobile traders
- Tailored Solutions – policies designed for your trade, size, and location
- Flexible Coverage – road risk, garage combined packages, and optional add-ons
- Fast & Clear Quotes – get protection without delays or complex forms
- Trusted Advice – expert guidance from a team who understands motor trade risks in Ireland
Comprehensive Coverage Options
Dolmen offers many types of motor trade insurance including:
Road Risk Insurance
Protects you while driving or transporting customer vehicles. Coverage can include:
- Windscreen damage
- Accompanied demonstration drives
- Step-back No Claims Bonus protection
- Recovery trucks
- Coverage for modified, classic, and high-performance vehicles
- Unlimited vehicle value and policy tonnage
Garage & Property Insurance
Protect your premises, stock, and equipment with optional coverage for:
- Garage buildings, contents, plant, machinery, and tools
- Customer and own vehicles stored securely or on-site
- Public and products liability, including mobile work extensions
- Service indemnity and defective workmanship
- Employers’ liability
- Business interruption and money cover
- Vehicles in transit
- Engineering inspection policies
Motor Trade Insurance FAQs
1. What is motor trade insurance?
Motor trade insurance is a specialised type of insurance designed for businesses involved in buying, selling, repairing, or transporting vehicles. It covers risks such as road testing customer vehicles, garage operations, liability, and damage to vehicles under your care.
2. Who needs motor trade insurance in Ireland?
Motor trade insurance is essential for: vehicle dealers, car garages, panel beaters, auto electricians, windscreen fitters, valeters, vehicle restoration specialists, mobile mechanics, tyre and exhaust fitters, and recovery operators. Essentially, any business handling vehicles professionally should have this cover.
3. What types of motor trade insurance are available?
The main types include:
- Road Risk Insurance: Covers driving, testing, collecting, or delivering vehicles.
- Garage/Composite Insurance: Covers buildings, stock, tools, machinery, public liability, and employees.
- Optional add-ons such as goods in transit, courtesy vehicles, or mobile work extensions are also available.
4. Does motor trade insurance cover test drives?
Yes. Road Risk Insurance allows you to legally drive or test customer vehicles for collection, delivery, or demonstration purposes. Policies can also cover accompanied and unaccompanied demonstration drives.
5. Can motor trade insurance cover mobile operations?
Absolutely. Many policies include extensions for mobile work, such as roadside repairs, on-site windscreen fitting, mobile valeting, or diagnostics away from your premises.
6. Is motor trade insurance required by law in Ireland?
If you drive customer or stock vehicles on public roads, Road Risk Insurance is legally required. Additionally, employers’ liability is mandatory if you have staff, and public liability cover is highly recommended to protect against third-party claims.
7. Can I insure modified, classic, or high-performance vehicles?
Yes. Specialist motor trade insurance can include coverage for modified vehicles, classic cars, or high-performance vehicles with no restrictions on vehicle value or policy tonnage.
8. Does it cover employee and customer vehicles on-site?
Yes. Garage or composite insurance protects vehicles stored on your premises, in secure compounds, or at your home (subject to insurer approval). Optional goods in transit cover can protect vehicles while moving between locations.
9. Can I get cover for recovery trucks or motorcycles?
Yes. Recovery vehicles and motorcycles, including customer motorcycles, can be included in your motor trade insurance package.
10. What additional protections are available?
Additional optional covers include: business interruption, money cover, engineering inspection policies, service indemnity/defective workmanship, and mobile work extensions.
11. Are monthly payments available for motor trade insurance?
Many insurers offer flexible monthly payment plans to help manage cash flow for small and medium-sized motor trade businesses.
12. How can I get the right motor trade insurance for my business?
The best approach is to speak with a specialist motor trade insurance provider. They can tailor your policy to your specific trade, whether it’s vehicle sales, repairs, recovery, valeting, or mobile services.
Get Insured Sorted Covered
Get the Right Insurance for Your Motor Trade Business
Your vehicles, stock, and customers are valuable – so is your peace of mind. Whether you operate from a workshop, home, or on the move, Dolmen Motor Trade Insurance provides comprehensive, tailored protection for your business.
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