Windshield Repair Forum

I highly recommend that you talk to several different insurance professionals, including at least one that offers garage keepers coverage for your windshield repair business, and make sure you understand what you are and are not covered for when you buy a policy. There is a lot of misinformation being given on this forum by people who do not understand the difference between the different types of insurance available. I'm not an insurance expert so you should not take my advice, or the advice of anyone else who is not a licensed insurance professional.

Here is a link to a site that attempts to explain the difference between garage liability and garagekeepers insurance, but I still recommend having several licensed professionals recommend coverage for your business, and then choose the lowest priced policy that provides "everything" you need.
http://www.dealers-insurance.com/Garage ... epers.html

Here is the summary at the end of the article you will find at the link above.

"As you can see, the difference between garage liability coverage and garagekeepers coverage is the difference between liability insurance and physical damage insurance.
One covers the insured's liability for operations and autos and the other covers damage to customer's vehicles. All garage risks need both coverages to properly insure their loss exposures."

Make sure you are comfortable with the coverage you have when the customer's vehicle is in your care, custody, or control. After you buy a policy you should also take it to another insurance professional and ask them if there are any gaps that may leave you unprotected. I've found most agents are more than willing to point out anything that another company may have left out in order to win your business with a low price.

Again, I am not making any recommendations, just pointing out that you really need to know what you are being covered for, and more importantly, what you are not covered for. Several of our customers were shocked to find out that they had been misled by their insurance agent and there were some serious gaps in their coverage.

You are right Brent, everyone should check with their insurance agents for the real story. What I find confusing is, the information you just posted and what Candyman's RLI Agent told him are different. I think there is some major "gray area" when it comes to insurance.

Fellow Techs...

When it comes to Insurance, I have used several different Co. over the years, and last year I decided to try out RLI because someone recommended them. Well, if you want to get your foot in the door somewhere, or just get on the networks, RLI is good for that because of the cost of the Insurance is cheap, but the vehicle you're working on is NOT covered! Only the property that you're on and any vehicles around the vehicle you're working on is protected.

I actually switched back to Safeco, I have a $1 million Liability and Garage keepers, this is for detailing, Windshield Repairs, and glass replacements for a Mobile company, and my annual cost is $1,350.00 give or take a few bucks!

Just do your homework when it comes to Insurance, always ask questions and make the agent clearly tell you what you are covered for and what you are NOT covered for, Protect yourself and your Customers vehicles, this should be the #1 reason for having Insurance in the first place.

thanks guys, i think ill get this time RLI and next year ill follow the advises to get a better policy,ATX i got you message ,but i cant replay,so i want to say thanks for your help.
Roo thank you too for the information about safeco,i contact them too,so ill get rli and next year when i have my foot on the ground i may upgrade to a better policy.
i relly apreciate this forum,thanks delta kits
roy

t4k wrote:You are right Brent, everyone should check with their insurance agents for the real story. What I find confusing is, the information you just posted and what Candyman's RLI Agent told him are different. I think there is some major "gray area" when it comes to insurance.

I don't think it is a gray area when it comes time to pay a claim. What is a gray area is the way some insurance agents sell their products and how confusing the policies are to read if you are not an insurance expert. If you dig up previous posts on this subject you will find some interesting information. I know SGT had an eye opening experience because of misleading information he was given when he purchased his first policy.

I just hope everyone does their homework so they don't get burned.

Brent Deines wrote:

t4k wrote:You are right Brent, everyone should check with their insurance agents for the real story. What I find confusing is, the information you just posted and what Candyman's RLI Agent told him are different. I think there is some major "gray area" when it comes to insurance.

I don't think it is a gray area when it comes time to pay a claim. What is a gray area is the way some insurance agents sell their products and how confusing the policies are to read if you are not an insurance expert. If you dig up previous posts on this subject you will find some interesting information. I know SGT had an eye opening experience because of misleading information he was given when he purchased his first policy.

I just hope everyone does their homework so they don't get burned.

You are preaching to choir on this one.

Going to chime in here...
Depending on the state you live in, is going to tell you what goes on.. Your insurance agents will contact underwriters..they make the rules.
In my state Colorado. even if your mobile, they will make your home the office/garage on the policy.....
The garage part is this, you are working on a car, in a parking lot..Thats is your garage.

Im in california, i was able to get $500,000 general liability (x2) for about $22 a month through StateFarm

hope that helps!

Guys /Gals,

I am not an insurance agent but for the love of GOD read my posts on this subject. You may have a different impression on what is what. I am just like most of you. Owner operator of a small WSR business and I am part time to boot. So I am in the trenches and understand what we go through and how important finding the best value is. Do you homework and do not just assume an agent knows what your needs are. Be very direct in your business description and needs.

After reading through a number of posts on the forum last October, and then doing some research, I finally decided on RLI for my insurance. For $168 annually, I got a $500K liability policy. I know rates vary state to state. I'm in Northern California.