Liability Insurance Requirement?

[Layne]

Some (or most) insurance companies require insurance before you..as a repair tech..can be placed on their approved list before referring repair requests to you. Have you had a problem with this? How do you circumvent this requirement? Any suggestions?

[mafsu]

Buy insurance. If you use the search option there are lots of posts about inexpensive insurance.

[Layne]

Thanks for your response mafsu.

However, in my case as a part time tech, the premium cost would approach the net profit that I have realized in each of the past 6 years. The premium quoted to me was then $1300.00. Were I full time, this would be a reasonable cost and could be a write off.

I am continuing to pursue this "part time" discipline in a small town environment.

[Delta Kits]

Layne,

If you go through RLI, the premiums for $500K insurance are typically about $200-$300, some a little less.

Check out this post:

viewtopic.php?t=383&highlight=rli

[mafsu]

Layne,
I wasn't trying to give you a hard time. The price you were quoted sounds like it was for garagekeepers insurance not for general liability which is what you need if you are performing a mobile service and don't have a shop where customers bring their cars to get them fixed. I pay around $250 a year for a million dollars coverage. The price will fluctuate a little depending on what part of the country you are doing business in. Even though you are doing this part time don't do it half way.

[Dave M]

VERY IMPORTANT......If you move a customers vehicle than I'd advise getting Garage Keepers insurance. Has nothing to do with being mobile only or not having a shop location. Check with your local ins. agent!

[Layne]

Thanks mafsu-Jeff Higgins and Dave M.

Your information is most helpful. Now I can really go for a premium within that range that you have quoted. Just have to check the minimum level required by Lynx, Safelite and others.

Hopefully, after I qualify and get on their approved lists, I will not be inundated with a barrage of requests for repairs. Sure would sabotage my retirement schedule (golf mostly).

Thanks to this site and all of you willing to share your expertise.

[Delta Kits]

Just have to check the minimum level required by Lynx, Safelite

$500K

[Dave M]

Jeff,

I'm not questioning whether you are right or wrong regarding the $500k, however I only carry $300k. This amount was authorized by Lynx and SGC, only after I informed them I was repair only!
I've carried this amount of coverage for years and at the networks request, have faxed my certificates of insurance for proof.

[Delta Kits]

There seems to be some debate Dave, certainly. When I talked to Steve Shaw from Lynx, he told me they require $500K liability.

Obviously though, what management says isn't always what the people who answer the phone say. Also, it was almost a year ago that I spoke with them.