Cars are the primary vehicle for millions of Americans and have been a fundamental part of the modern lifestyle for decades. People take pride in the cars they own and often depend on them to get from one place to another. Naturally, every object with moving parts requires regular maintenance and occasional repairs. Car repair shops are essential for keeping cars up to date, which in turn keeps the roads and people on them safe.
However, car maintenance shops also need to protect themselves. Repair shops can face lawsuits when something goes astray. Furthermore, they can experience great losses if natural disasters hit or something is stolen. It might take just one incident for a business to go under.
can reduce the risk of financial ruin and help cover costs resulting from the aforementioned events. The following sections will explain the purpose of auto repair shop insurance in more detail, outline what it covers, and provide tips for getting the best price.
It is fair enough to say that all businesses need insurance. Auto repair shop insurance, sometimes also referred to as garage keeper’s insurance is specifically designed for the mechanics’ needs. Despite following all safety regulations and protocols, accidents can still happen. In an auto repair shop, accidents can have dire consequences due to all the heavy machinery and vehicles. Additionally, no one can be fully safe from natural disasters or criminal activity. It is always better to be prepared.
Here are some of the risks that can result in hefty costs:
If you do not have insurance, you will need to pay everything out of your own pocket. In a good scenario, you will only lose some of your assets, but in the worst case, you might have to relinquish your entire business.
Auto repair shop insurance is usually a combination or a variation of generic business policies. You can read more about them in the next section, but here is an overview of the most typical packages for auto repair shops.
This is a standard policy that covers expenses resulting from third-party bodily injuries, property and vehicle damage, medical bills, and other related losses. It includes coverage for situations when you or your employees are at fault. Large claims due to injuries and vehicle damage are one of the biggest risks auto repair shops face, so having insurance that covers it is a huge asset and should be part of every service shop’s operations.
This provides coverage if a client’s vehicle is damaged at your repair shop or while the vehicle is in your care and control. The cause of the damage could be, for example, fire, theft, weather, or a lift accident. It does not, however, provide coverage when the client’s items inside the car are damaged or when the damage is caused by faulty parts or poor quality of work. Nevertheless, if you keep vehicles in your shop, you are going to need them.
Some insurance companies will also require you to purchase on-hook towing insurance. This covers towing or hauling a vehicle if needed after a collision, fire, theft, explosion, or vandalism. Garagekeepers liability insurance can also be purchased by service stations, retail shops, and other businesses that deal with vehicles and provide temporary on-site storage for them.
In addition to the insurances specifically for auto repair shops, several other insurance policies can be taken into consideration. Most auto repair shops will add several other insurance policies to the main package to ensure their business is covered:
In general, businesses can have very diverse needs depending on their size, location, clientele,
Auto repair shop insurance saves you money if an accident occurs, but that does not mean you cannot save some money on the policy itself. When insurance companies calculate the premiums and costs, they first determine the level of risk they pose. Understanding the factors that affect their assessment of your risk level can also help you make better-informed decisions. Here are some tips for making sure you get good quality insurance at a reasonable price:
If you are not yet sure whether this insurance is for you or you need help with deciding which policies to get, email us us a call, or fill out the free quote form on our website. We would be happy to help!
