Garage keepers liability, general liability, and workers compensation insurance for auto repair shops and body shops.
As an auto repair or body shop owner in Alabama, Georgia, or Tennessee, you're responsible for your customers' valuable vehicles. This unique "care, custody, and control" exposure means you need specialized insurance beyond a standard business policy. TCDS Insurance Agency is an independent agency that understands the auto service industry. We shop over 50 carriers to find you the right protection, including the crucial Garage Keepers and Garage Liability coverages you need.
It's a critical distinction. Garage Liability insurance is similar to general liability but tailored for auto shops; it covers bodily injury or property damage caused by your business operations (e.g., a customer slipping in your waiting room). Garage Keepers insurance, on the other hand, protects your customers' vehicles while they are in your care-whether being serviced, parked, or stored. This covers damage from fire, theft, vandalism, or even a tornado. You'll also need Workers' Compensation for your technicians and Commercial Property insurance for your tools and equipment.
Don't get caught in a coverage gap. TCDS Insurance Agency, a top-rated, Alabama-based agency serving AL, GA, and TN, can build a comprehensive policy for your auto repair or body shop. Get a free quote today and drive your business forward with confidence.
Garage Liability covers your business operations, like a customer slipping and falling at your shop. Garage Keepers Liability is different; it specifically covers damage to your customers' vehicles while they are in your care. You need both for complete protection in Alabama, Georgia, or Tennessee.
Yes, in Alabama, if you have five or more employees (including part-time), you are required by law to carry workers' compensation insurance. In Georgia, the threshold is three or more employees, and in Tennessee, it's five or more. It's crucial for protecting your business from employee injury lawsuits.
For mobile auto repair, you'll need Commercial Auto insurance for your service vehicle, in addition to General Liability and Completed Operations coverage. If you work on customer vehicles at their location, your Garage Keepers policy needs to be endorsed to cover off-site work.
The best way is to work with an independent agent like TCDS who can shop over 50 carriers. You can also lower costs by maintaining a clean claims history, implementing a formal safety program, ensuring good housekeeping to prevent falls, and properly securing your premises and customer vehicles to prevent theft.
Yes, if you have Commercial Property insurance. This policy covers damage to your building and its contents from perils like fire, wind, and hail. Given the frequency of severe weather in Alabama, having robust property coverage with adequate limits is non-negotiable for any shop owner.
Completed Operations coverage protects you from liability after the customer has left your shop. If you perform a repair and that repair fails and causes an accident days or weeks later, this is the coverage that defends you. For a mechanic, it's one of the most critical policies you can have.