Insurance coverage

[kingmonkey]

I know people have asked a lot about what insurance company to go with but I haven't really found any post that talked about what type of coverage you should have.

I know nothing about commercial insurance. I'm talking to agents trying to get quotes but they keep offering this product and that product but I really have no idea what they are talking about. And when I get them to explain it, it all makes sense, but I'm not sure if that is what I should be going with. So my question to all of you is this:

In our line of work what specifically does your insurance coverage include? I've heard things about garage keepers insurance, general liability, etc., etc. But what do you guys have going on in your policies?

[rscatoe]

Garage keepers insurance covers your customer's vehicle while it is in your possession. If you have a mobile business, you don't need garage keepers insurance because you don't take possession of their car. You need a general liability policy. This covers you if someone is injured or property is damaged due to your negligence. The insurance companies require you to carry $500,000 worth of coverage if you want to take advantage of the "free" repairs. If your business is all cash, then it is up to you whether you carry insurance or not.

Steven Catoe
SOS Glass Repair
"Service on the Spot!"
Thibodaux, Louisiana

[cleanerimage]

yes up to you if you want to have insurance, but to me always a must. Its more professional, protects you and your customer, not too expensive, and just a good thing to have.

[screenman]

If you are working on someone's vehicle you are taken as being in control of the vehicle, over here that would require you to have a traders policy, or in your case garage keepers I beleive.

[Dave M]

rscatoe,
I'd have to disagree with you on the garage keepers. This is such a gray area with so many techs! While you are working on a customer vehicle it is in your custody and care. If you are moving vehicles, garage keepers is a must have. Commercial Liability will not cover the vehicle if it is hit by someone or you hit and damage something. I was told that in our line of work, garage keepers insurance is a must.

[t4k]

rscatoe,
I'd have to disagree with you on the garage keepers. This is such a gray area with so many techs! While you are working on a customer vehicle it is in your custody and care. If you are moving vehicles, garage keepers is a must have. Commercial Liability will not cover the vehicle if it is hit by someone or you hit and damage something. I was told that in our line of work, garage keepers insurance is a must.

Do you move customer's cars? I have never nor will I ever move a customers car. If the car needs to be moved, I get the customer to move it prior to me working on it. You leave a big door open for damage claims if you start moving and driving someone's personal car.

I am not saying garage keepers insurance is not a necessity but just be very careful driving other peoples cars.

[Dave M]

Yes, I move cars all the time. I have for 15 years. Don't misunderstand me.....you should have garage keepers even if you don't move the vehicle. While you are working on the car it is in your possesion, custody and care! You are responsible for it.
So, back to moving a vehicle. If you never have, that's great. Explain to me why you would not move one. I have dealer and fleet accounts that MOST of the time I need to move the vehicle. It may be raining, snowing, too hot in the sun or just not enough room to work. Why would I bother the used car guys or the fleet guys to move a vehicle for me when I can do it myself?

[t4k]

Yes, I move cars all the time. I have for 15 years. Don't misunderstand me.....you should have garage keepers even if you don't move the vehicle. While you are working on the car it is in your possesion, custody and care! You are responsible for it.
So, back to moving a vehicle. If you never have, that's great. Explain to me why you would not move one. I have dealer and fleet accounts that MOST of the time I need to move the vehicle. It may be raining, snowing, too hot in the sun or just not enough room to work. Why would I bother the used car guys or the fleet guys to move a vehicle for me when I can do it myself?

If you read my previous post again it states "someone's personal car". I have 18 dealership and fleet accounts I move cars for everyday. I have no problem moving a fleet account's cars, I just have made it a rule (for 31 years) not to move a customer's personal car.