Auto Repair Shop Insurance
Owners of auto repair shops need protection against various possible threats like liability, damage to customer vehicles, business interruptions, and more.
Cara Carlone is a licensed P&C agent with 20 years of experience. She has her P&C license in RI and TX and holds CPCU, API, and AINS designations.
Owners of garages and auto repair shops need the right kind of business insurance to protect their assets from various risks that come along with the job. Any kind of customer injury or property damage can result in a costly claim or lawsuit. But with the appropriate auto repair shop insurance tailored to your needs, you can help safeguard your business's risks and maintain smooth operations.
An independent insurance agent in your area can also help your auto repair shop get covered. They'll get you set up with all the auto repair shop insurance you need. First, though, here's a closer look at insurance for auto repair shops.
Auto Repair Shop Risks That Need Protection
Automotive repair shops, car mechanics, and auto body shops are entrusted not only with fixing their customers’ cars but also with keeping those cars safe while in their control. In addition, auto repair shops face the following types of business risks:
- Customer or employee slips and falls
- Worker illnesses or injuries
- Claims of faulty workmanship, parts, or products
- Fire, bad weather, vandalism, or theft
- Damage to a customer’s vehicle
- Employee theft or crime
- Business interruptions
You need a variety of business insurance coverages to protect your auto body shop from costs associated with these risks.
What Auto Repair Shop Insurance Can Cover
Insurance for auto repair shops can include protection for just about every angle of your business that could face various risks. You can expect to find a few or all of the following in an auto body repair shop insurance policy:
- Garagekeepers liability insurance: This coverage protects your auto repair shop against damage to customer vehicles while they're in your control. Damage can be caused by a number of different factors, including fire damage or vandalism.
- Business property insurance: This provides coverage for lost inventory, office equipment, computers, and more due to damage or destruction by fire, vandalism, smoke, theft, etc.
- Business interruption insurance: This pays for rent, employee salaries, and other expenses if your shop must close temporarily due to an unforeseen disruption or after a disaster like a fire.
- Commercial general liability insurance: This provides protection against the cost of lawsuits related to third-party bodily injury and property damage.
- Business owners policy insurance: This is a package policy designed for small businesses that combines property, liability, and business interruption coverage in one affordable policy.
- Crime insurance: This protects your business from the costs of theft, dishonesty, and fraudulent acts committed by an employee or criminal.
- Business auto insurance: This covers liability, accidents, theft, and other incidents that affect company-owned vehicles used for business purposes.
- Workers' compensation: This covers costs associated with employee injuries due to the work environment or job duties.
Since auto repair shops vary significantly in the services they provide, it's important to work with your independent insurance agent to get set up with the right business insurance for auto repair shops.
How Much Does Auto Repair Shop Insurance Cost?
The average cost of auto repair shop insurance coverage can vary based on many factors. These can include:
- The location of your shop
- The size and annual revenue of your shop
- How much coverage your shop needs
- Your shop's previous claims history
Your independent insurance agent can help you find the most affordable auto repair shop insurance policy near you.
An Independent Insurance Agent Can Help You Find Auto Repair Shop Insurance
When shopping for the right auto repair shop insurance, no one's better equipped to help you than an independent insurance agent. These agents have access to multiple insurance carriers, so they can shop and compare policies and quotes for you. Ultimately, they'll get you matched to the policy that offers the best blend of coverage and cost. And down the road, they'll be there to help file claims for you or update your coverage as necessary.
https://www.progressivecommercial.com/coverages/garage-keepers-liability/
https://autoleap.com/blog/types-insurance-auto-repair-shops/