12:54 pm, July 14, 2026
New for 2026 is our Trade Insurance Award and, whether it’s protecting premises, demonstrators, courtesy cars or vehicle stock, the right insurance partner is an essential part of running a successful dealership.
This year the firms that were highly commended in this category are Aviva and AXA but taking the very first Car Dealer Power title in this brand-new category is Howden.
It’s a business that dealers say consistently delivers excellent service, competitive cover and real peace of mind Howden.
Matt Brady from Howden said winning the inaugural award was a proud moment for the whole team.
‘It’s an amazing achievement for the team and something we’re really proud of,’ he told Car Dealer.
‘It means a lot, especially because it’s voted for by the dealers, so it shows the relationships and the work we put in is really paying off. It’s a real testament to our team. They’re all going to be really happy when they find out, because they put a lot of hard work in and they really care about what they do.’
Brady said the company’s specialist focus on the motor trade was key to its success.
‘I think it’s our expertise in the industry,’ he said. ‘We work with our dealers every single day, and all the team do is specialise in motor trade. They really understand the industry, they really care about what they do and they understand the importance of insurance.
‘We’re always trying to raise our bar and do the best we can for our clients.’
Brady said Howden’s product offering set it apart, backed by strong relationships with insurers.
‘We’ve got the leading insurance product in the market, with wider flexibility than any other product out there,’ he said.
‘We’ve got really good relationships with insurers, which makes our job a lot easier. We can normally negotiate the best price, the best cover and the best outcome for our customers through the work we do – not just with our customers but also with the insurers.’
Customer service, Brady added, was central to the business, particularly at the moments that matter most.
‘We work for our customers, so everything we do is really tailored towards getting the best outcome for them,’ he said.
‘Insurance is something people have to buy, and we’re aware that we’re normally there when things go wrong. So it’s great that we can give a great product and show good service on those worst days. If someone’s had a really bad day and something’s gone wrong, they don’t want us to be difficult. They want us to solve their problems, leave it with us, and we’ve got everything sorted.’
Looking ahead, Brady said there was more to come from the business over the coming months.
‘We’ve already got the best products out in the market, but we’re always trying to raise that bar,’ he said.
‘If there’s ever a gap we think we can improve, another service we can offer clients or a new emerging product, we’re always looking. We’ve got a couple of things on the horizon that will probably be announced fairly soon.’
Thanking dealers for their support, Brady added: ‘It means a lot to know the hard work we’re doing is paying off and is appreciated by dealers. For them to go out of their way to vote for us really shows that going above and beyond is appreciated.’
T: 020 7623 3806
