When you arrange for someone else to move your car, a sensible question is who is responsible for it during the journey. This guide explains how cover works when a professional carries out the movement, and what you as the owner may want to check. It is general information rather than legal advice, so always confirm your own position with your insurer if you are unsure.
Who is responsible during the movement?
Once a vehicle is in the hands of a professional carrier, the movement itself should be covered by that carrier. At MDM, every movement is fully insured in transit, whether your vehicle is driven by one of our trade-plate drivers or carried on a transporter.
On driven jobs, we also cover the tax for the journey, so the vehicle is moved correctly and legally on the road.
This does not necessarily replace your own policy in every situation, which is why it is worth understanding both sides before the day.
What about my own car insurance?
Your own policy and how it applies will depend on your insurer and your circumstances. As a general rule, owners often find it helpful to:
- Check whether your policy still needs to be in place while the car is being moved by a third party.
- Ask your insurer how they treat a vehicle that is being professionally transported or driven under trade plates.
- Keep a record of when the vehicle leaves your possession and when it arrives.
We are not able to advise on your individual policy, but a quick call to your insurer will usually clear up any questions.
How the condition report protects you
A large part of insurance worry is really about damage disputes, who is responsible if a mark appears, and how you would ever prove when it happened. This is exactly what our condition report is designed to remove.
For every movement we produce a digital photo condition report at both collection and delivery. That means:
- The car’s state is documented before it leaves, with date-stamped photographs.
- The car’s state is documented again on arrival, so both ends can be compared.
- You receive instant proof of delivery.
Because the condition is recorded at both points, there is a clear, shared record. That protects you, it protects us, and it means any question about a mark can be settled by looking at the photos rather than relying on memory.
Driven or transported, and what each means for cover
Whether your vehicle is driven or transported, the movement is fully insured either way. The deciding factor is the vehicle itself:
- To be driven, a vehicle must be roadworthy with a current MOT.
- If it is not roadworthy or lacks a current MOT, it is transported instead.
This keeps every movement compliant and properly arranged, and it means you do not have to work out which method is appropriate, we confirm that when you book.
A few sensible checks before collection
To keep everything smooth and to support the condition report, it helps to:
- Note any existing damage yourself before the driver arrives, so you have your own record too.
- Remove valuables and personal items from the vehicle.
- Have your paperwork ready, including the V5 and any relevant documents.
- Confirm contact details so we can reach you at collection and delivery.
In short
You should always understand your own policy, but the movement itself is our responsibility. With MDM, every job is fully insured in transit, tax is covered on driven jobs, and a photo condition report at both ends gives you clear evidence of the vehicle’s condition throughout.
If you would like cover confirmed for your specific movement, request a fixed-price quote and we will talk you through exactly how your vehicle will be moved.
