Car Mechanic and Dealership Insurance
For more info, contact
Kevin O’Donoghue
Account Executive | BrokerFrom independent car mechanics to franchise car dealerships, trust in Gifford Carr to ensure you are protected.
If you own a garage or vehicle service centre, there are a number of insurance categories you will want to consider. Given the scope of work for your business, your needs may differ from other businesses as you have some unique risks. In addition to protecting the business against liability, fire and theft, you also need to be protected in the event an employee damages a customer’s car while it is in your company’s possession or a fender bender on a test drive.
Think about insurance as an investment, it can provide financial protection for injuries caused by your operations. Deciding what mixture of liability insurance coverage is best for your company can be a confusing. We are here to help. At Gifford Carr we are on your team. We work for you. We understand that each shop is different.
Work with an expert who understands your business.
Our car garage and dealership expert, Kevin O’Donoghue, has been working with cars since he was 16. Working in car garages, gas station and car wash shops, he was hands on learning everything to do with auto mechanics. He loved, and still loves, cars. Though he was never a mechanic himself, he worked on everything from oil changes to tire repairs. Since day one in insurance our expert has been supporting commercial insurance for car garages and dealerships.
Our expert will do an assessment based on the scope of work in your shoppe to tailor the coverage you need to protect your business, and will be straight forward with what you don’t. Connect with Kevin.
Garage Auto businesses we work with:
- Car repair garages
- Body shops and collision repair facilities
- Specialty Shops (glass repair, tinting, vehicle wraps)
- Car detailing and car washes
- Gas stations and gas bars
- Mobile car services
- Oil & Lube services
- Tire Services
- Car dealerships (new and used car sales)
- Recreational vehicle dealers
- Parking garages (including valet service)
Car Mechanic and Dealership Insurance Solutions
FAQ
How do I know how much coverage I need to protect my shop?
How do I come up with my limits of insurance? You’ve built your shop and added to it – with new equipment and tools – over the years.
At Gifford Carr, our expert will come walk through your shop with you. With their expertise and understanding of your business, they can help evaluate the value of your property, tools and equipment to ensure your business and its tools are properly protected.
What does legal liability mean?
You have to be negligent for your policy to respond.
This may be best explained with an example. If a client drops a car off at your garage, you leave the keys in the car because they are going to be picking up after hours, though it’s not your standard practice the client asked for it. Someone steals the car. Your garage auto policy will only pay if there is negligence on your garage leading to the theft. So, if you are doing something that is not normal business practice – note it. Write it on the work order. Cover yourself to prevent a claim on your policy where it should not be.
Can we cover your tow truck?
Yes, but separate policy from a typical car garage.
You may have heard it’s a “Hard market” in surname right now. This hard market makes it tough for tow trucks to secure the coverage they need. Working with a broker that understands the parameters required and has the experience working with your industry helps get you covered. Typically this market means tow trucks need to have a clean driving record, 3 years (provable) experience, and clean CVOR (commercial vehicle operating record) to secure coverage.
Are employee tools covered under the program?
Not unless you have added Employee Tool Liability.
With this added line item, you will have the coverage in place for the replacement cost for your employee’s tools, up to the preset limit. These tools would not otherwise be covered in your typical property policy for your business business.
Connecting with an expert that understands your business ensures your broker will walk the shop. Know where you have exposure or risk and understand the value of you, and your employees, tools. Then they can help protect you accordingly.
Do I need "hoist collision" coverage?
Hoist collision refers to coverage for an accidental impact between a hydraulic or mechanical hoist and something else.
However, adding this coverage is a common misconception. Hoist collision is often included in the liability section of your garage auto policy. Always best to talk to a broker that understands your business to ensure you have the coverage you need, without adding the coverage you don’t.
