liability insurance co. suggestions?

[David T]

Dear fellow techs,

I have made a contact with a fleet of vehicles that has agreed to long term windshield repairs IF I have liability insurance to cover any damages that might occur to a windshield during repairs.

Can anyone recommend an insurance company that offers affordable coverage for a small, one person winshield repair service?

Thanks,
David T

[Layne]

RLI is used by many of us.

[Brent Deines]

I don't think any one insurance company is the "best" choice for everyone, as everyone's needs are different.

A lot of people in the windshield repair industry use RLI insurance, although there has been some question as to what is covered and what is not. RLI sells different policies for different needs, so I still believe they are worth contacting. Be very specific as to what you want to be covered for, and go from there. Most will tell you that the rates from RLI are very good, but it never hurts to check around. Just be sure you are comparing apples to apples, and are covered for whatever your feel is important.

There website is: http://my.rlicorp.com

You can also search this forum for previous threads and posts on this subject. There have been quite a few.

[Dave M]

David T,
If I am understanding your question correctly, no insurance company will cover the w/s for damage that occurs while you are doing a repair. I believe they require you to carry commercial liability ins. while you are on their lot. I'd also suggest Garage Keepers if you plan on moving a vehicle.

[Brent Deines]

I think a lot of windshield repair techs choose a home business insurance that is very limited, and therefore very inexpensive. There are lots of companies that will cover the windshield you are working on if you have the right policy, but in order to be affordable most of us opt for a $500, $1000, or higher deductible. Personally I would pay for anything under a $1000 out of my pocket rather than run it through my insurance company, but that is a choice every windshield repair technician must make for himself or herself.

You just have to ask the right questions and shop around. I was with the same company for my auto insurance for over 25 years but when I finally got around to checking rates I ended up saving about 25% on my premiums and got better coverage.

One other thing to remember is that just because a company offers the best rates on a car or home, does not mean it offers the best rates on commercial liability insurance.

[Dave M]

Brent,
Are you saying that an insurance company will pay for damage done to a w/s (crack out) while a repair is being performed, with the proper coverage and premium? If so, I was not aware of that!

[Brent Deines]

Brent,
Are you saying that an insurance company will pay for damage done to a w/s (crack out) while a repair is being performed, with the proper coverage and premium? If so, I was not aware of that!

Mine did, although I as I mentioned, I kept a higher deductible, and also replaced glass, so there was no reason to turn in a claim for a broken windshield. I was fortunate enough to have very few windshields crack out while I was working on them, and when it did happen the customers were very understanding, so it is difficult for me to understand why anyone would turn in a claim for the rare instance when a windshield cracks out.

The only reason I know for sure that my insurance covered that particular scenario is that I had a number of government contracts that required me to have specific types of coverage, and very specific minimum limits on that coverage.

You can get insurance coverage for just about anything if you are willing to pay for it, however those who choose home based business insurance are probably getting a product that has very limited coverage. I had a fixed location in addition to my mobile unit, so I did not even look into the home based business coverage.

I should also make it clear that I have never personally purchased insurance from RLI, but after hearing the prices that others have received, I certainly would have checked their coverage if I had known about them.

[Glassdoc]

I have Nationwide Commercial Glazer's policy it includes Garage Keepers, and the deductible is $100 per occurance and the premiums now run about $940 a year.. When I started it was less than $400 a year, my how times have changed..

[Brent Deines]

I too think RLI has some of the least expensive coverage you can get, but my understanding is that the RLI policies do not include garage keepers coverage, which in my opinion everyone should have. $940/year is probably realistic when you add garage keepers coverage, but I don't think RLI even offers that option. When you are shopping just be sure to ask the same questions to each company you talk to and get the answers in writing. You may want to ask your current agent to compare the coverage you currently have with the coverage offered by RLI and other companies to see how they all shake out.

[SeeClearly]

Wow, see you learn something new everyday. I too looked for insurance where they would cover it while working on it and the only response I got was that "no insurance would cover it if it breaks during repair". Is there anyone who CURRENTLY has coverage of this nature? If so, who are you dealing with (besides RLI since I had no luck with them) for the insurance since I know my current coverage does not cover this scenario. Thanks.