Are you familiar with garage liability insurance? Depending on the type of business that you’re involved with, than you already may have come across it before. If not, then you may be surprised to learn that there’s more to it than meets the eye. In this guide, we’ll take a look at this form of commercial insurance, who needs it, and how and why it’s a necessity.
One of the first points to consider is that this is a more widespread or common form of insurance than you may imagine. There are many different types of businesses and industries where this is either required or recommended.
This begins with automobile dealerships. Auto dealers are required to carry numerous forms of commercial insurance, such as dealer bonds, as well as garage liability. With the latter, business owners are essentially covered in the combined areas of general liability and automotive insurance. In other words, they’re protected against bodily injury and property damage as a result of a vehicle accident.
Beyond the world of automobile dealerships, as we mentioned, there are also many other businesses which are served by garage liability coverage. This list includes essentially any type of business where a customer’s or client’s car may be left on-site, and either moved or serviced by the business. In practice, this list includes everything from valet services and parking garages to quick lube and tire change facilities, auto repair and body shops, car washes, and so forth.
What this does not cover is what’s separately known as “garagekeepers” insurance. This portion of the puzzle is what protects your business against any actual damage to the vehicle itself. You don’t want to fall into the trap of believing that you are already protected against this only to find out at the worst time that you’re actually not covered. It’s any business owner’s nightmare.
Another important note to remember is that the specific requirements for garage liability will vary from state to state. In a state such as Florida, different automobile dealer licenses have different minimum coverage levels, for instance. In depends on the type of license you’re carrying, and this type of stipulation is common in other states across the country as well.
Of course, it’s always essential to work with an experienced, licensed insurance professional in your state or local area. He or she will be familiar with the local regulations and requirements, and should be able to help you smoothly navigate the matter while finding the right deal and the right policy.
