Repair insurance helps protect businesses that repair or service vehicles. It's an optional form of coverage that protects auto dealers, body shops, and similar establishments financially, in case something goes wrong during the repair process. Repair insurance can help pay damages, and also the cost of legal fees.
What does Repair Insurance cover?
Repair insurance usually covers the following main areas:
- Customer complaint coverage. Repair insurance can help cover costs when customer complaints are investigated and resolved. It can also help pay for associated legal fees.
- Faulty workmanship coverage. This covers financial liability if customers complain about low-quality repairs. Coverage can help pay for damages and legal fees associated with the case.
- Breach of contract coverage. This type of coverage protects businesses accused of breaching customer contracts. It can help pay for damages awarded to customers and any associated legal fees.
- Personal injury coverage. This coverage helps protect businesses from financial liability if customers are injured while on-premise. It can help pay for medical expenses as well as associated legal fees.
What isn’t covered by Repair Insurance?
- A basic garage policy doesn’t include Worker’s Compensation. If you need to plan for this risk, your friends at Cal-Surety can accommodate your insurance needs. Ask your agent for details about the addition of Worker’s Compensation to your policy.
Who needs Repair Insurance?
Businesses that store, repair, service, and altogether keep vehicles for customers. This includes auto dealers, body shops, and mechanics. Also, garage owners and towing and impounding companies. Businesses that provide similar services for watercraft can also use repair insurance.
Repair insurance is for you if:
- Your customers regularly bring in vehicles for repairs or servicing
- You send out employees regularly to perform repairs on customer vehicles
How much does Repair Insurance cost?
The premium for repair insurance is typically calculated based on the following factors:
- The amount of coverage you want
- The type of services you provide
- The number, value, and type of vehicles you service
- Your annual business revenues
- The years of industry experience you have
- Your location
In general, you need to pay an out-of-pocket deductible. It’s calculated per vehicle, before the insurance covers any losses. The higher the deductibles, the lower the premiums.
You would need to answer dozens of questions to get a specific number. What's your risk appetite? What different scenarios are you expecting? Contact us to learn how much a custom policy would cost.
Types of Repair Insurance we offer
Auto Repair Insurance
For businesses that service or maintain vehicles, or send out employees to do so.
Auto repair insurance isn’t an extended warranty. An extended warranty helps cover repair or replacement costs for certain vehicle parts or systems. It’s an agreement offered by the manufacturer of the vehicle usually when it’s first purchased. It’s a service contract between the customer and the manufacturer.
Boat Repair Insurance
For businesses that service or maintain yachts and recreational watercraft. It covers completed operations, damage to vessels under your care, and more.
Heavy Truck Repair Insurance
For businesses that service or maintain heavy trucks. It can protect against incidents of damage during servicing, accidents, and natural events.
RV Repair Insurance
Protects businesses from financial liability in case customer RVs are damaged while on business premises.
Cal Surety offers these types of insurance in the following states:
- Alabama
- Utah
- Arizona
- North Carolina
- Georgia
- Michigan
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- California
- Texas
Why you need Repair Insurance for your business
As a business providing services for vehicles or watercraft, you know there’s always a risk of something going wrong while you work. There could be unforeseen circumstances that damage the vehicles. There might be events out of your control that result in mistakes. The customer could simply be unhappy with the work. In any of these cases, customers may file a complaint and take legal action against you. You need repair insurance to protect your business financially. It can help cover the cost of legal fees and any damages that may be awarded to the customer.
Your risk grows as your business scales. The more work you do, the more chances there are for accidents to happen. Repair insurance lets you continue to grow your business without stumbling at every unavoidable incident.
