Mobile mechanics are one of the fastest-growing segments in the motor trade — and one of the most underinsured. The convenience of coming to the customer has real business advantages: lower overheads, flexibility, and a client base that values time. But from an insurance perspective, mobile mechanics occupy a tricky middle ground — not quite a tradesperson, not quite a workshop operator — and many end up with coverage gaps they don't discover until a claim arises.
Why Standard Tradesperson Insurance Doesn't Cover You
Most mobile mechanics start out with a standard tradesperson's public liability policy, assuming it covers them for the work they do. It often doesn't — for a specific reason: motor trade liability.
When you work on a vehicle and something goes wrong — a brake repair fails, an oil change results in engine damage, a wheel nut isn't torqued correctly — the resulting claim falls under professional liability for motor trade services. Standard tradesperson policies are designed for builders, plumbers and electricians. They often exclude work on motor vehicles or limit coverage in ways that leave significant gaps for anyone in the automotive trade.
You need a policy specifically designed for motor trade work.
The Core Covers Every Mobile Mechanic Needs
Professional Indemnity
Professional indemnity covers claims arising from your professional work — faulty repairs, missed defects, incorrect advice. The Consumer Guarantees Act requires that vehicle services are performed with reasonable care and skill. When repairs fall short of that standard, the vehicle owner has a right of recourse against you.
Late-presenting claims are a specific concern for mobile mechanics. An oil drain plug that wasn't fully tightened may take weeks to develop into a seized engine. A brake calliper incorrectly reassembled may not cause problems for several thousand kilometres. Professional indemnity covers these claims regardless of when they present, as long as your policy was in force.
Public and Product Liability
Public liability covers third-party property damage and personal injury arising from your operations. For mobile mechanics, this is particularly important because your "workplace" is constantly changing — you're in customers' driveways, car parks, and roadsides. Oil spills on driveways, accidental damage to surrounding property, and injury to bystanders are all scenarios that public liability addresses.
Cover of at least $2 million is standard. Many mobile mechanics carry $5 million to provide adequate protection across a wide range of scenarios.
Portable Tools and Equipment Cover
Your van contains your livelihood. A well-equipped mobile mechanic's toolkit — including diagnostic scanners, power tools, torque equipment, and specialty tools — can easily represent $15,000–$50,000 in replacement value. Portable tools cover protects against theft from your van and accidental damage to equipment in the field.
Check the policy conditions carefully: some insurers require evidence of forced entry for a theft claim, and many require the van to be locked. Keep a current itemised list of all tools with approximate replacement values.
Road Risk Cover
Mobile mechanics frequently need to road test customer vehicles after repairs. Your personal motor policy won't cover you driving a customer's vehicle for business purposes — that requires road risk cover. Third-party road risk is the minimum; comprehensive is advisable if you regularly road test higher-value vehicles.
Commercial Vehicle Insurance for Your Van
Your service van needs commercial vehicle cover, not private motor insurance. Private motor policies exclude regular business use, and driving to customer jobs is clearly business use. Commercial vehicle cover also protects the tools and equipment stored in the van under some policy wordings — check this with your broker.
What About Working at Roadsides and Unusual Locations?
One of the most common coverage questions from mobile mechanics is whether their public liability applies everywhere they work, or only at specified locations.
The short answer: your policy should cover you wherever you're providing services — in driveways, car parks, and roadsides — not just at a fixed address. When getting quotes, confirm explicitly that your liability coverage applies at client premises and at any location where you perform work. Some standard business policies restrict cover to the business address listed on the policy schedule.
Do You Need Customer Vehicles Cover?
Customer vehicles cover (bailee's liability) protects you when a vehicle in your care is damaged or lost. For mobile mechanics, this is most relevant when you drive a customer's vehicle — either to test it or to move it for access. If you only work on the vehicle where it's parked and don't move it, the exposure is lower. But if you regularly take vehicles for road testing or move them to a better location, customer vehicles cover is advisable.
How Much Does Mobile Mechanic Insurance Cost?
As a general guide:
A specialist motor trade broker can structure coverage to match exactly how you operate.
Common Coverage Mistakes
Using private motor insurance for the van — this voids coverage for business use and leaves you uninsured when travelling to and from customer jobs.
Not declaring the full value of tools — underinsuring tools means partial settlements at claim time. Keep your schedule updated.
Carrying public liability only — without professional indemnity, you're exposed to workmanship claims that public liability won't cover.
Assuming your policy covers driving customer vehicles — without road risk specifically, you're uninsured when road testing or moving a customer's vehicle.
Speak with a specialist motor trade adviser to ensure your policy matches your actual operation.