# Insurance for motorcycle workshops and dealers in Germany

> Motorcycle workshops and dealers in Germany deal with vehicles that are easy to steal, quick to fall over and often ridden on test rides by people who do not know the model. Add client bikes in winter storage, accessories in the shop and mistakes on brakes or chains. Here is what a business should insure and what it costs.

Quelle/Source: https://www.nammert.com/en/business-insurance-motorcycle-workshop-and-dealer.php  
Updated: 2026-10-15

## Who pays if a customer crashes a new bike on a test ride?

Damage to others is paid by the motor liability behind the red plate. Damage to the demo bike itself is only covered by own damage cover, usually part of the motor trade policy. Check whether test rides by customers are included and what the excess is, and see licence and ID before every ride.

## At a glance

- **Trade:** Motorcycle and bicycle mechanics (Zweiradmechaniker) are listed in Annex A of the German Crafts Code, a regulated craft
- **Compulsory:** Motor liability for own vehicles and red trade plates under section 41 of the Vehicle Registration Ordinance, at least €7.5 million for injury and €1.3 million for property damage
- **Biggest risk:** Test ride crashes and theft of new and client bikes
- **Basic cover from:** about €400 a year for public liability for a small workshop, a guide value from our quoting work
- **Often forgotten:** Client bikes in winter storage: without goods in care cover nobody pays after a fire or break in

## What goes wrong in this trade

- **Test ride crash:** A customer underestimates weight or power and the bike goes down at the first bend.
- **Theft:** Bikes are lifted or pushed away from yard and showroom, helmets and clothing vanish from the shop.
- **Brakes and chains:** A badly fitted brake line or loose axle nut causes an accident after collection.
- **Winter storage:** Dozens of client bikes stand together for months; one fire or flood hits them all.
- **Falling off the stand:** A bike slips off the paddock stand and damages its fairing and the bike next to it.
- **Electric motorcycle batteries:** Damaged high voltage batteries can catch fire days after a crash.

**Risk radar** (Compared with other trades, 1 low to 5 high.): Liability 4, Fire and water 4, Theft 5, Cyber 2, Downtime 3, Health 3

## The insurance you need

- **Business liability** (Essential): Third party injury and damage, including losses caused by faulty repairs and damage to worked on items. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-liability.php
- **Fleet insurance** (Essential): The motor trade policy covers red plates, test rides, demo bikes and, with workshop risk, client bikes. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-fleet-insurance.php
- **Business contents** (Strongly advised): New bikes, parts, accessories and clothing in the shop against fire, burglary and water damage. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-contents.php
- **Business interruption** (Strongly advised): Pays fixed costs and profit if a fire shuts the business in the middle of the season. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-interruption.php
- **Electronic equipment** (Depends on the business): Diagnostic equipment, dyno and till system. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-electronic-equipment.php
- **Business legal expenses** (Depends on the business): For disputes over warranty on sales, repair invoices and test ride damage. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-legal-expenses.php
- **Cyber insurance** (Depends on the business): If your online shop, booking system and customer data are attacked. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-cyber-insurance.php

## What it costs: example prices

For motorcycle businesses the premium depends heavily on stock in the showroom, the number of red plates and winter storage. Dealers with many new bikes need a higher contents limit.

| Insurance | Example | Typical range |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Business liability | Workshop with two mechanics, €3 million limit | about €400 to €900 a year |
| Fleet insurance | Motor trade policy with two red plates, customer test rides and workshop risk | about €900 to €2,800 a year |
| Business contents | Showroom with new bikes, accessories and parts worth €300,000 | about €1,200 to €3,000 a year |
| Business interruption | Up to twelve months' downtime, €800,000 turnover | about €600 to €1,500 a year |
| Business legal expenses | Dealer with contract and employment legal cover | about €400 to €900 a year |

For comparison: Liability and the motor trade policy for a small workshop cost about as much a year as a set of sports tyres fitted plus a major service.

_All premiums are guide values from our quoting work, excluding German insurance premium tax, as of October 2026. Minimum limits and red plate rules as in the linked laws._

- [Pflichtversicherungsgesetz, Annex: minimum sums insured](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pflvg/anlage.html)
- [Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung, section 41](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/fzv_2023/__41.html)
- [Handwerksordnung, Annex A](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/hwo/anlage_a.html)

## Our suggestions: three packages

- **Workshop** (Independent motorcycle workshop with servicing, tyres and one red plate): Business liability, Fleet insurance, Business contents. Together: about €1,800 to €4,500 a year
- **Dealer** (Workshop with showroom, new bikes, accessories and test rides): Business liability, Fleet insurance, Business contents, Business interruption, Business legal expenses. Together: about €3,500 to €8,500 a year
- **Full cover** (Franchised dealer with online shop, winter storage and electric bikes): Business liability, Fleet insurance, Business contents, Business interruption, Business legal expenses, Electronic equipment, Cyber insurance. Together: individual, usually from about €7,500 a year

## The worst day in the motorcycle workshop

Six things motorcycle workshops and dealers really go through, all on the first warm Saturday in April. Tap through and see who pays.

- 08:10: The shop door was forced overnight; two helmets and leather suits are gone. (€4,800, Paid by: Business contents)
- 10:30: A customer crashes a new adventure bike on a test ride. (€6,500, Paid by: Fleet insurance)
- 11:45: The same crash damages a parked car. (€2,800, Paid by: Fleet insurance)
- 13:20: A bike slips off the stand onto the client's bike next to it. (€3,200, Paid by: Business liability)
- 15:00: A customer reports an accident: the brake line was not tightened properly after the service. (€15,000, Paid by: Business liability)
- 17:30: A customer refuses to pay and claims the engine failure happened in your workshop. (€2,500, Paid by: Business legal expenses)

**Damage so far:** €34,800

## Practical tips from your broker

- Have customer test rides expressly included in the motor trade policy.
- Copy licence and ID before every test ride and have a test ride agreement signed.
- Set the limit for client bikes by your full winter storage, not by summer.
- Secure new bikes overnight with chains or ground anchors; insurers ask about security.
- Store damaged electric bikes separately, outdoors or in a fire safe area.
- Record torque settings on brakes, axles and chains on the job card.

## Why NAMMERT for your business

- **We know vehicle claims:** In boat insurance we handle claims ourselves, on engines, trailers and electrics. We know what evidence an insurer expects.
- **We compare the small print:** As an insurance broker, Norman Nammert compares how several insurers handle test rides, winter storage and theft.
- **Shop, workshop and personal:** Business, red plates and your personal cover with one contact.
- **Broker since 1989:** A family business, not tied to any insurer. Our service is free for you; the insurer pays our commission. We advise in English.

## FAQ

### Which insurance is compulsory for a motorcycle workshop in Germany?

Motor liability for your own vehicles and red plates. Public liability is not required by law, but without it you pay for losses after repairs yourself.

### Who pays if a customer crashes on a test ride?

Damage to others is paid by the plate's motor liability, damage to the bike itself only by own damage cover. Your policy says whether customer test rides are included.

### Are client bikes in winter storage insured?

Only with goods in care cover, for example workshop risk. Your contents insurance only pays for your own stock and equipment.

### What does insurance cost for a motorcycle workshop?

In our quoting work a small workshop with liability, motor trade policy and contents pays about €1,800 to €4,500 a year.

### Do red plates need their own insurance?

Yes. Under section 41 of the Vehicle Registration Ordinance, motor liability must be in place for red plate journeys.

### Are electric motorcycles a special risk?

Yes, because damaged batteries can catch fire. Declare high voltage work and agree storage rules with the insurer.

## Request quotes

We obtain quotes and come back with a comparison, free of charge. You can write in English. https://www.nammert.com/en/business-insurance-motorcycle-workshop-and-dealer.php#anfrage

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Your broker: Norman Nammert, trading as NAMMERT. Insurance broker licensed under section 34d(1) of the German Trade Regulation Act. Broker register no. D-C08Q-TOSD4-37. NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH is a separate company. It does not arrange your contract.

NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH, Karl-Marx-Straße 4, 15711 Königs Wusterhausen, +49 3375 29 12 77, info@nammert.com. Wikidata: Q141141479.