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Trade Plate Insurance

If you’re in the business of transporting vehicles to sell or repair, it’s likely that you’ll use trade plates for vehicles that are untaxed. Make sure that wherever and whatever you’re moving, vehicles are covered with Trade Plate Insurance. Cover is included as standard with Road Runner’s motor trade policies.

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What are trade plates?

Trade plates are special car number plates for people in the motor trade industry. They allow motor traders, like car dealers, to legally drive and transport vehicles that are unregistered and untaxed.

If you’re selling or handling a vehicle short-term, trade plates let you avoid the time and cost of registering and taxing it. They must be clearly displayed on the front or rear of the vehicle, without covering or obscuring its original number plates.

What is Trade Plate Insurance?

Trade Plate Insurance is specialist cover that protects vehicles being moved, transported and often sold, while using trade plates.

If you’re a motor trader who uses trade plates rather than constantly registering vehicles temporarily in your care or ownership, this is tailored cover to protect these vehicles in case there’s an incident, collision, or any other damage.

Trade Plate Insurance is included in Road Runner’s motor trade policies as standard.

What does Trade Plate Insurance cover?

Trade Plate Driver Insurance is usually included as part of a wider motor trade policy. With Road Runner, cover can include:

Road Risks cover
Comprehensive insurance to cover you and your employees driving on the road.

Movement of non-registered and non-taxed vehicles
When you’re transporting vehicles, you’ll be covered for incidents and accidents.

Theft of keys
Cover can include theft of keys and replacement locks up to the value of £5,000 per year. Plus, no excess to pay!

Windscreen cover
Included as standard on all personal vehicles on a comprehensive policy.

Cover for a range of drivers
Cover can include the proposer, spouses, or employees – when driving in connection with motor trade.

Optional legal cover
The option to include up to £100,000 of legal cover for uninsured losses.

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Why Road Runner for Trade Plates Insurance?

Partners to the motor trade:

We’ve been side-by-side with every part of the motor trade for almost three decades, so we understand the ins and outs of insurance for trade plates.

Our reputation is built on trust, great relationships, and serving up the insurance solutions that are right for you and your motor trade business.

We’re good at spinning plates

There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all trade plate policy with us – which is why we offer something as specialist as trade plate cover.

For example, if you’re transporting cars with trade plates between showrooms, we’ll provide you with robust cover the whole time those vehicles are under your care, protecting you, your business, the cars, and your premises from risk.

We help keep the motor running

You’re here to sell cars, we’re here to protect both them and your premises. It’s that simple.

We understand the ins and outs of looking after cars while they’re with you and while being transported – and understand why this cover can help make that process so much quicker and easier.

But don’t just take our word for it – before coming to us for a Trade Plate Insurance online quote, read our Feefo reviews for an idea of what our customers think about us.

Do trade plates cover insurance?

No, trade plates do not cover insurance requirements. Whilst using trade plates makes things much more efficient for motor traders in terms of registration and tax, you will still need specialist Trade Plate Insurance to protect vehicles in your care.

Thankfully, specialist cover like Road Runner’s exists, which will cover you and your employees when driving vehicles with trade plates. Plus, it will provide a wider net of covers including road risks, liability and more.

A row of black and silver cars is parked in a dealership lot, with a BMW sign visible in the background.

Who needs Trade Plate Insurance?

Trade Plate Insurance is usually required by a wide range of motor traders who drive customer vehicles. These include:

Dealers, manufacturers and repairers of vehicles – including those involved in collection and delivery
Trailer manufacturers
Valets and accessory fitters
Vehicle testers (you’re eligible if you road test other people’s vehicles on public highways)

Who can drive on Trade Plate Insurance?

Road Runner covers qualified drivers aged 23 and upwards working within the motor trade industry. Drivers must not have been disqualified or convicted of driving offences. You can find a full list of our criteria further down this page.

When might I need Trade Plate Insurance?

This type of policy covers a wide range of circumstances including:

Road testing

You’ll get cover for taking a vehicle out on the road for a test drive after its manufacture, repairs or servicing

Post-purchase journey

When driving a vehicle that you’ve bought to the showroom, forecourt, garage, or to a customer

Customer test drives

If a customer wants to take a vehicle on a test drive, this cover keeps them protected – even if they’re involved in an accident

How much is Trade Plate Insurance?

Trade Plate Insurance cost in the UK varies between every motor trade customer. It varies on the value and type of motor stock being driven or transported, and any previous insurance claims made.

Our personal approach means we look at each individual business and consider its needs before entering into any discussions or negotiations with possible insurance vendors. We’ll always endeavour to offer you the most comprehensive, suitable cover at an agreed price.

Our Criteria

For Road Runner to provide a quote, you must meet our criteria. Some of the main points you must satisfy are below:

You and all drivers are aged 23 and upwards
You’re actively operating a motor trade business for profit or income
You and all drivers have not been disqualified from driving, and haven’t been convicted of driving without insurance
You and all drivers have no criminal convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act nor any criminal convictions pending
You, any partners, directors, employees, or drivers have never had a policy cancelled, declined, been refused renewal, nor had any special terms or premium imposed

full list of criteria

Ready to get Trade Plate Insurance?

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Frequently asked questions

Why do I need Trade Plate Insurance?

You need Trade Plate Insurance in the UK to cover you and your business when moving unregistered and untaxed vehicles.

While trade plates save motor traders time, money and paperwork relating to registering and taxing vehicles, you still need specialist insurance that covers driving a vehicle with trade plates, should something go wrong.

Are my trade plates insured?

Trade plates are not insured as standard. You need to seek out specialist cover to legally drive vehicles with trade plates.

If you’re unsure whether you have insurance, you can do a Trade Plate Insurance check on the Motor Insurance Database (MID).

Can I insure a young driver on trade plates?

We can insure drivers 23 and over, subject to terms and conditions.

Your Motor Trade Insurance team

We’re proud to present a specialist team who’ll not just provide you with insurance policy options, but also get to know you and your business. So, let’s introduce:

Spanners

Branch Manager

Louise Velez

Associate Director

Lee Dicks

Sales Manager

Fidoo Etwaroo

Renewals Manager

Find out more

Our other products

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Interested in Trade Plates Insurance? You might want to learn more about our Car Dealer Insurance.

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Looking to cover just one, or a fleet of recovery trucks? Read more about our Recovery Truck Insurance.

ROAD RISKS

Whether you take the wheel of your customers’ vehicles or drive your own as part of your day-to-day business, Road Risks cover is for you. And that’s exactly what we offer.

LIABILITY INSURANCE

If you have people working for you or have customers regularly visiting your site, you’ll need to think about Liability Insurance. We’re here to help keep you covered.

PREMISES INSURANCE

If you work from a premises, you’ll likely have spent a lot on your tools, equipment or vehicle stock – and the last thing you want is any loss or damage. That’s where Premises Insurance can help.

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Road Runner is a trading name of Howden UK Brokers Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority No. 307663. Registered in England and Wales under company registration number 02831010. Registered Office: One Creechurch Place, London, EC3A 5AF. Calls may be monitored and recorded for quality assurance purposes.