Car DetailingDetailing BusinessExterior DetailingInsuranceInterior Detailing

Best Insurance Options for Mobile Detailers

Written by Tahmid Rashid

November 29, 2025

Protecting the owner-operator, self-employed detailer, or worker who performs mobile detailing.

Mobile detailing is now one of the fastest-growing services in the automotive care industry. As moving forward in time, more owners-operators, small teams and self-employed detailers are working on driveways, business parks and car parks nationwide, offering everything from maintenance valeting to full paint correction and ceramic coating services.

But with this growth comes a reality many detailers overlook: mobile detailing carries a higher risk profile than most trades. You are working on high-value vehicles, using chemicals, operating machinery on private property, and transporting thousands of pounds worth of tools. One mistake, or even an allegation, can wipe out your profits for years.

This is why correct, specialist insurance is critical.
This guide breaks down exactly what mobile detailers need, how policies work, how much they cost, and the best providers.

Why Every Mobile Detailer Needs Proper Insurance

Whether you’re a solo detailer, a mobile operator with a partner, or running a small detailing team, you face unique risks daily:

Accidental vehicle damage
Polisher burns, sanding mistakes, chemical etching, interior staining, broken trim.
Public injury
A passerby slipping on wash water or tripping over a hose.
Property damage
Overspray on brickwork, staining block paving, cracked tiles, garage mishaps.
Equipment theft
Extractors, polishers, vacuums and stock stolen from a van.
Driving-related incidents
Knocking a vehicle during repositioning or causing damage while driving it.

And here’s the key problem:
Standard insurance does NOT cover most of this.

To protect your business and livelihood, you need the right mix of specialist covers designed for those who physically carry out the detailing work.

The Three Essential Covers for Mobile Detailers

Every professional detailer should understand these three pillars. A “cheap quote” usually fails on one of them.

Insurance for Detailers

1. Road Risk Insurance (The Legal Must-Have When Moving Vehicles)

If you ever move a vehicle, even a few metres, to reposition it, you require Road Risk insurance.
A private van policy won’t cover you while driving someone else’s vehicle for work purposes.

Types of Road Risk cover:

Third Party Only (TPO): Covers damage to other vehicles only.
Third Party Fire & Theft (TPFT): Adds fire and theft to the vehicle you’re driving.
Comprehensive: Covers accidental damage to the vehicle you’ve moved. Strongly recommended.

If you don’t have Road Risk cover and drive a vehicle, you are operating illegally.

2. Public Liability Insurance (Your On-Site Protection)

Public Liability protects you if someone is injured or their property is damaged because of your work.
Example incidents for an owner-worker mobile detailer:

A passerby trips over your pressure washer hose.
Water run-off causes someone to slip.
A foam lance or tool hits a window or wall.

Professional operators typically choose £2–£5 million cover.
Many commercial clients require £5m as standard.

3. Treatment Risks / Defective Workmanship (The Detailer’s Lifeline Cover)

This is the most critical and most misunderstood cover in the industry.

Ordinary Public Liability almost always excludes:

“Damage to the item being worked on.”

Meaning:
If you damage the vehicle while detailing it, you are not covered unless you have Treatment Risks (also known as Defective Workmanship or Service Indemnity).

This cover protects you if you:

Burn through clear coat with a machine polisher
Stain leather with ceramic coating
Scratch or mar panels during correction
Snap trim, badges or wiper arms
Cause coating or sealant failures

If your policy does not specifically list Treatment Risks, assume you are not covered.

Additional Insurance Covers Every Detailer Should Consider

These aren’t optional if you want a stable and secure business.

Tools & Equipment Insurance

Owner-operators often carry £5,000–£30,000 worth of gear:

DA polishers
Vacuums and extractors
Pressure washers
Steam units
Chemicals
Lighting and electrical equipment

Tools cover should include:

Theft from a locked van
Forced & violent entry
Overnight protection
Accidental damage

Make sure expensive tools aren’t restricted by single-item limits.

Goods in Transit

Protects chemicals, stock and tools while travelling.
Covers theft and vehicle collisions where your equipment is damaged.

Employers’ Liability (Required by Law if You Have Staff)

If you employ anyone, even part-time helpers or apprentices, you must legally carry £10 million Employers’ Liability.

Business Interruption / Income Protection

If you’re injured or your van/equipment becomes unusable, this protects your income.

Some UK Insurance Companies Examples — For the owner-operator, self-employed detailer, or working detailer.

Provider / Scheme	Best For	Typical Annual Premium*	Key Features & Limits	Notes / Drawbacks
Tradesman Saver	Budget-conscious new detailers	£350 – £650	Public Liability £1–10m, Defective Workmanship ~£50k, Tools cover standard £5k	Very low entry cost but higher excess (£500–£1,000)
Simply Business (via partners)	Quick online quote & basic cover	£400 – £800	Public Liability £1–5m, optional Defective Workmanship	Underwriter may vary; wording must be checked
Rhino Trade Insurance	Sole traders seeking simplicity	£380 – £720	Public Liability £1–5m, Tools-in-Transit standard	Check Road Risk and vehicle value limits
Trade Direct Insurance	Mid-range with strong tools cover	£450 – £950	Public Liability £5m standard, Tools cover up to £1k–£15k, overnight van theft included	Monthly payment option available
Coversure (Swindon specialist)	Detailers working on high-value vehicles	£600 – £1,400	Vehicle limits up to ~£250k, Defective Workmanship up to ~£100k	Higher cost, aimed at premium/detailing work
Howden Insurance	Growing teams / small operations	£700 – £1,600	Employers’ Liability included, Service Indemnity, Business Interruption cover	Best when you have staff or premises
Gallagher (AJ Gallagher)	Full combined coverage / premises	£800 – £2,000+	Road Risks + Combined, suitable if you have a fixed site or unit	Premium cost is higher; full scope
Kingfisher Insurance (PVD partner)	Accredited detailers / shows & events	£550 – £1,200	Up to ~£100k per vehicle, temporary increased limits for events, discounts for approved members	Requires accreditation; check event coverage

Important Note

Insurance pricing varies significantly based on age, location, driving history, services offered, vehicle type, equipment value, and individual underwriter criteria. The figures provided are general industry averages and should only be used as guidance, not guarantees. Always obtain a personalised quote from a regulated insurer or broker.

This article does not provide financial advice, and we accept no responsibility or liability for decisions made based on the information above. Always read your full policy wording and confirm cover directly with your insurer.

Why choose / Considerations: Choose a scheme that matches your vehicle values, tools exposure, and whether you operate at clients’ premises or a fixed site. For low-cost entry choose budget providers but check excesses and workmanship limits; for high-value cars prefer specialist brokers who offer higher per-vehicle limits and workmanship cover.

Hidden Policy Traps Mobile Detailers Must Avoid

No Cover for “Vehicles Worked Upon”: Standard Public Liability excludes damage you cause to the vehicle itself. You need Treatment Risks or Defective Workmanship for polishing, coating and correction work.
Vehicle Value Limits Too Low: Many road risk policies cap vehicle value at £50k–£75k. Raise limits if you work on performance or prestige vehicles.
Overnight Tool Theft Restrictions: Some policies only cover tools if the van is garaged or has specific security. Check driveway overnight conditions.
Chemical Use Exclusions: Strong APCs, acids and fallout removers may be excluded. Confirm your exact chemical range is permitted.
Helpers / Subcontractors Not Covered: Casual workers might not be insured unless specifically named.
Heat-Work Exclusions: Steamers, IR lamps and heat guns can be excluded unless declared.
Private-Land Misconceptions: Moving a car even 2 metres may require Road Risks depending on policy. Don’t assume you’re covered.
Wrong Van Insurance Class: Social/domestic van insurance becomes invalid once you carry detailing gear.
No Cover for Events or Demonstrations: Many schemes exclude show-and-shine or event work.
Under-Insured Tools: Tools worth £5,000 but insured at £2,000 means insurers may only pay a partial payout due to “average” clauses.

Average Insurance Cost Breakdown for Mobile Detailers

Public Liability (£1m–£5m): £90–£230
Treatment Risks Add-On: £40–£120
Tools (£5k–£15k): £80–£150
Road Risks: £800–£1,600
Total Package: £650–£1,200+

Younger drivers (<25) and anyone with claims history may pay +30–100% more.

Common Mistakes Detailers Make about Insurance

Thinking Public Liability covers vehicle damage (it doesn’t).
Not declaring high-value vehicle work.
Under-insuring tools and equipment.
Using the wrong van insurance class.
Assuming subcontractors are automatically covered.
Forgetting overnight tool security conditions.

Conclusion

For any self-employed detailer, owner-operator or mobile working technician, proper insurance is the backbone of your business. The minimum protective package is:

Comprehensive Road Risks
£5m Public Liability
£50k–£100k Treatment Risks
£10k–£15k Tools Cover
Employers’ Liability where required

With these in place, you protect your reputation, your income and your long-term ability to trade professionally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Road Risks is required if you move vehicles. Employers’ Liability is mandatory if you hire staff. Public Liability is not a legal requirement but most detailers consider it essential.

Yes, but only if Treatment Risks is explicitly included in your policy. If not listed, ceramic coating failures are normally excluded.

No. Standard van insurance will not cover tools or machine polishers. You need separate Tools and Equipment cover.

Yes. Insurers typically assess the driver, claim history, and vehicle use rather than years in business.

Only if your policy’s vehicle value limit is high enough. Always confirm the per-vehicle limit before working on prestige or high-value cars.