Starting new business, need insurance and llc info

[GlasWeldTech]

I agree with EXACTLY what SGT says. We were under the same impression UNTIL we did some checking. We now have a Garage Kepper's policy with several dealerships and Networks listed as ADDITIONAL INSURED. Much more costly but we are covered now. My insurer charges an additional $100 per additional insured and our insurance is about $1200.00 per year.

[GlassStarz]

Im sure you can buy insurance for bowling balls falling off the space shuttle but why would you?
Not much that could happen with what we do that said the networks require insurance and RLI sells a very inexpensive policy that fills thier requirements so I buy it not because I want to but because I have to personaly im not worried about other stuff

[SGT]

Like Brent said,

I also have no dog in this fight and have nothing against RLI. I shared my experience and findings to help others. For a long time, I was a promoter of this company on the forum becuase I took the word of someone who was an insurance professional working on my behalf. In todays world you need to become knowledgable in every area that affects you as it is becoming increasingly harder to find people who are compitent in their positions.

RLI insurance does serve a purpose. Just make darn sure their purpose matches your purpose otherwise you will have a gap in coverage when you just may need it. Buying insurance is something we do to protect ourselves, not becuase we expect something will happen but rather for the unexpected.

If nothing more I hope this helps anyone with RLI insurance or what ever insurance company you have or maybe considering at least evaluate / re-evealuate there current coverage and policy limitations and understand what the true policy coverage is.

[Brent Deines]

Im sure you can buy insurance for bowling balls falling off the space shuttle but why would you?
Not much that could happen with what we do that said the networks require insurance and RLI sells a very inexpensive policy that fills thier requirements so I buy it not because I want to but because I have to personaly im not worried about other stuff

What could happen? In my case it was a single drop of pit resin accidentally left on the paint that ended up costing thousands. If an uninsured third party lost control of their vehicle and smashed into the new Mercedes you were working on it could cost you tens of thousands. Although I agree that these things very rarely happen in our industry, I can attest to the fact that they can happen, especially if you have employees. Unfortunately one claim could put someone out of business if they are under insured and do not have enough of a reserve in the bank to self insure.

If you and your customers are willing to accept that risk, more power to you, but as Brian said, technicians and their customers should know what those risks are, and apparently many do not. I know I would not want someone to work on my car if I knew they were not insured in case of an accident that caused damage to my vehicle.

[bobswsr]

First off, "HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE"

Thanks Brian and Brent, this is the info I was asking in an earlier post.
After talking with RLI, although their prices are reasonable, the rep said their policy would keep the insurance companies happy, but would not cover a mishap with a customers vehicle such as a scratrch or resin mishap, etc.
It sounds like, something like a garage keepers policy, will be what will make me sleep at night before going out for a repair, not that I am sloppy, but just in case.

Thanks for the help as always,

SoCal BOB

In 2009 Everything Will Be Fine

[KELY G]

maybe a dumb question but...
if RLI doesn't cover any damage that I may inflict on customer's vehicle, what DOES it cover??

[SGT]

RLI cover general business liability. I do not want to go out on a limb as to what an RLI policy can cover as I am not an agent and I have had inaccurate information provided to me over the years by my under writter allowing me to think I was covered while working on a customers vehicle. I suggest you give RLI corporate and not your local under writter a call to get your questions answered from a policy expert as I did to find out the extent or lack there of with one of RLI policies.

[Brent Deines]

Check out this article. It was written for detailers, but the same basic idea applies for windshield repair technicians. http://www.auto-detailing-guide.com/aut ... rance.html

Still, you should always check with an insurance specialist and ask as many point blank questions as you can. None of us like paying for insurance, but it is an important part of owning a reputable business.

[josephm8777]

I am starting up a small mobile windshield repair business. I got a quote from RLI- I think, and they will not cover the vehicle I am working on. I am thinking that this might be a good think to have, just in case I drop something and ding it or something like that.

What do you guys have and who do you use?

[Brent Deines]

In case any of you noticed that a few posts about RLI were removed, I did remove 3 posts yesterday. They were posted by enzil21 who works for RLI but did not identify himself or herself as such. The information in the posts was misleading and placed in an effort to create new business under false pretenses. I have referred hundreds of windshield repair technicians to RLI in the past, but will no longer do so in light of the information posted by SGT and this recent attempt to deceive forum members.