Why You Need Both Garagekeepers Insurance And The Garage Liability Insurance Texas Insurers Provide

Owners of garages, towing services, auto repair and body shops do more than just transport vehicles and fix them, they have the added responsibility of ensuring the safety of these vehicles as long as they are on the business owner's property. Accidents, injuries, theft, fire, and other incidents have to be covered with the comprehensive garagekeepers and garage liability insurance Texas insurers offer.

These are separate policies and cover separate issues auto repair businesses can be held liable for. Liability coverage is meant to protect businesses from bodily injuries or property damage that can occur in the course of business. Auto repair shops and dealerships, as well as other businesses, routinely have this type of coverage.

This coverage is wide ranging and protects against a number of possibilities. It is protection for owners in the event a piece of equipment damages the property of one of their customers. Owners have protection if they use a defective part, or sell one to a customer, in the process of repairing a vehicle, and that part or product damages the customer's vehicle. If a customer or employee accuses an owner of discrimination, the owner is covered. Employee dishonesty is covered.

Garagekeepers policies cover businesses when their customer's cars are damaged on company property. This is different than liability insurance. Garagekeepers covers issues such as fire, theft, extreme weather and vandalism. It will not protect owners against defective parts or shoddy workmanship.

A garagekeepers basic policy will not cover items located within the customer's vehicle like anything inside the trunk or glove compartment. It doesn't cover the stereo system. You can add on to your policy to cover personal property located within a vehicle. This extended policy really isn't necessary for your protection. It is a goodwill gesture that customers notice and appreciate. These two policies are usually sold together, but you have to check with your agent to ensure you have both.

Agents recommend that auto repair shops specifically carry this coverage, but it's a good idea for related businesses to have the protection as well. That includes emissions testing stations, service stations, shops changing oil and doing lube jobs, and auto glass installers. Paint and body shops and auto restorers should have this coverage. Even companies that do sound system installation and repair need them.

There are things business owners can do to help insure they don't need to file a claim. Good lighting and surveillance equipment is a big theft and vandalism deterrent. Installing a sprinkler system and making sure smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are checked routinely also helps. Not only will this make your business, and the property of your customers, safer, it should give you some discounts when it comes to the cost of the policy.

Figuring the cost of maintaining a policy includes a number of variables. Monthly premiums are affected by limits, deductibles, and extended coverage, just to name a few. You need to get quotes from a number of insurers before you decide which one best suits your needs and pocketbook.