Five workshop risks to review before insurance renewal
1. Vehicle movements and pedestrian safety
In garages and dealerships, vehicles frequently manoeuvre through confined spaces alongside employees, customers and delivery personnel.
Reversing, restricted visibility and poorly defined traffic routes can create serious collision and crush risks.
Businesses should assess vehicle circulation, separate pedestrian and vehicle movements wherever practicable, restrict workshop access and establish clear procedures for moving customer vehicles.3
2. Lifting equipment and machinery
Vehicle lifts, jacks and workshop machinery are essential to daily operations, but equipment failure or incorrect use can cause serious injury.
The HSA advises that vehicle service lifts undergo thorough examination by a competent person at least every 12 months, alongside regular visual checks.4
Maintenance records, inspection reports, operator training and procedures for removing defective equipment from service should be reviewed regularly, not simply when renewal approaches.
3. Fire prevention and hazardous substances
Motor workshops often contain flammable liquids, fuels, solvents, paints and electrical equipment. Welding, grinding and other hot-work activities introduce additional ignition risks.
Businesses should review chemical storage, ventilation, fire detection, emergency arrangements and safe working procedures.3
Particular attention should be paid to hazardous chemicals and vehicle batteries, including electric and hybrid vehicle battery systems where these are serviced or handled.
4. Employee health and safe working practices
Workshop risks extend beyond immediate accidents.
Manual handling, awkward working positions, noise, exhaust emissions and exposure to hazardous chemicals can contribute to occupational injuries and ill health.3
Employers should ensure risk assessments reflect actual working practices, with suitable controls, training, supervision and personal protective equipment where required.
Employee involvement is also important. Workers are often best placed to identify unsafe shortcuts, recurring near misses and practical improvements.
5. Documentation, claims history and changing exposures
Insurance renewal provides an opportunity to confirm that business activities and declared risks remain accurate.
Has the workshop expanded? Has new equipment been installed? Does the business now undertake electric vehicle servicing, body repairs or additional customer vehicle movements?
Changes in operations may affect insurance requirements and should be disclosed appropriately.
Businesses should also review incident records, outstanding corrective actions, maintenance documentation and previous claims. Demonstrating effective risk controls can support more informed conversations with insurers, although it does not guarantee lower premiums or particular renewal terms.
Make workshop safety a year-round priority
A well-managed workshop is not created in the weeks before an insurance renewal.
Regular inspections, documented maintenance, employee consultation and timely corrective action help embed safety into everyday operations.
Taking a proactive approach can reduce disruption, protect valuable assets and give insurers a clearer understanding of how risks are managed.
How NFP can help
NFP combines specialist motor trade insurance expertise5 with practical health and safety support through SeaChange.
Our teams can help motor trade businesses understand their insurance exposures, review existing cover and identify practical opportunities to strengthen workplace risk management.
Whether you’re preparing for renewal, expanding your operations or reassessing your workshop safety arrangements, we can help you take a more informed, joined-up approach to protecting your business.