Is RLI "Garage Keepers"

[ASAPWR]

I've searched the forum and can't find a good answer to my questions at the bottom of this post.

I just received a quote from RLI for GL and Garage Keepers coverage. After reading through the Garage Keepers policy sample page I am wondering if it is worth the cost. I have read on here that Garage Keepers will cover damage to the vehicle caused while doing a repair. The RLI policy exclusions includes "Faulty work you performed". Also under the property coverage it states that it will pay except if the customer's auto collides with another object.

So what DOES RLI cover under their Garage Keepers policy? Has anyone submitted a claim to RLI that has been paid or rejected?

[bill lambeth]

I have General only . One million . Insurance in this business is just a piece of paper as far as I am concerned. Unless you are going to be moving vehicles around I don't see why you would need " Keeper" .

[Dave M]

These are questions you should be asking your RLI agent and be very specific! I'd give you my opinion on the meaning of Garage keepers and what it covers but I'm sure someone else would give you a different opinion.

[ASAPWR]

Just got off the phone with the RLI agent...a very unhelpful guy. I had to give him scenarios for him to give me any information.
He said that basic garage keepers will not cover any damage to the vehicle that occurs while doing the actual repair. Crack the windshield, bridge scratches the hood, drilling and causing delamination, and etc. are not covered. I may be covered if a pen falls out of my pocket and scratches the hood! The policy will cover damage to the customers vehicle if I drive it into another car or pole. It will not cover the damage to the other vehicle or pole.

[Dave M]

There you go! He gave you a great explanation.

[Brent Deines]

Finding the right coverage can be confusing. I always carry garage keepers and have had to use it once in the past 25 years that I can remember. A drop of pit resin on the painted cowling of the vehicle that cured before it was noticed. The customer did not notice it until we pointed it out to him and offered to have the cowling painted. Turned out to be kind of an unreasonable guy and demanded that the entire vehicle be painted even though it was an older vehicle with significantly worse paint damage. Long story short we turned it over to the insurance company and they paid for the paint job which ended up costing several thousand dollars.

I hear a lot of mixed reviews about RLI. Those who want a simple liability policy at the lowest possible cost generally find them a good fit. Those who want a little better coverage and start comparing apples to apples often find that either they cannot get what they want from RLI or it is not cost effective. Needless to say RLI has carved out a niche in the windshield repair industry and a lot of technicians get their insurance from them.

I recommend finding a good local independent insurance rep who will search several companies to find a policy that fits your needs for a price you can afford. You can also show them the RLI policy so they can point out any possible gaps in coverage that you may be concerned with. If you decide liability only is all you need and RLI has the best price a good independent should tell you so even if it means they do not get your business...this time. We use an agent that is not always able to get us the best policy for our every need but is very honest about. We buy our insurance from him any time he is competitive and go elsewhere when he can't with his blessing. The personal relationship and honesty is important to me so he gets the majority of our business.