• Independent automotive garages
• Gas stations with automotive garages
• Third parties coverage
• Property damage coverage
Automotive garages that service and repair vehicles may be held responsible for any damage that customer vehicles incur while they’re in the car of a garage. Considering many garages have multiple customer vehicles at a given time and vehicles can be quite expensive, this potential liability risk can be quite substantial. Garage keepers insurance helps protect Vermont garages that service vehicles from this particular risk.
Garage keepers insurance is a highly specialized form of commercial liability insurance for automotive garages. Like other liability insurance coverages, garage keepers liability coverage will usually pay any legal fees, settlement or judgement associated with a covered claim.
Broadly speaking, most Vermont businesses that service or repair customers’ vehicles should have garage keepers liability insurance in place. This includes businesses such as:
In addition to these service and repair businesses, valet parking operations also usually can benefit from the protections that garage keepers coverage provides. Although valets don’t do actual automotive repair work, these businesses are still entrusted with customers’ vehicles and can be held responsible for damage that vehicles sustain.
Most garage keepers liability insurance policies cover the following causes of damage:
To be covered, the damage usually must occur while a vehicle is in a business’ possession.
Additionally, policies’ exact terms and conditions can vary. To fully understand the precise incidents that a specific policy covers, businesses should review that policy with a knowledgeable agent who’s familiar with this type of insurance.
The standard protections in garage keepers policies normally don’t extend to personal belongings that customers have in their vehicles. These belongings sometimes are covered by a customer’s auto or homeowners insurance policy if they’re lost in a covered incident.
If a business wants to protect customers’ personal belongings that are in vehicles, however, an endorsement that offers this protection might be available. Endorsements are narrowly defined optional protections that get added onto policies. Adding an endorsement that protects customers’ belongings might help promote goodwill and maintain a business’ reputation if there’s a claim involving the loss of possessions.
Our business was with the same trusted agent for over 20 years. Mike Bancroft offered to evaluate our policies and see if he could save us some money on both Workmen's Comp and general liability. He did, and in the process even moved us to better coverage. Mike also offers a superb quality of service. Cannot recommend highly enough.
Mike Bancroft has been great to work with. He has assisted with my Business Auto, Tool Coverage, Homeowners and all other types of insurance needs. I wouldn't be surprised if they change their name to Paige, Campbell & Bancroft soon!
Extremely prompt, personable, and professional service! Despite only needing a workers' comp policy for one employee, Paige & Campbell was very receptive and ensured to shop my policy around to ensure I received a great price that was almost half of what another broker quoted me.
Garage keepers coverage might be purchased on it’s own, but it’s usually included within a larger package policy. Many businesses get it alongside other coverages that are applicable to auto service centers or similar businesses, for instance.
Premiums for garage keepers coverage vary depending on a business’ location, size of operation, chosen limit and other factors. In general, however, this coverage is usually quite affordable. It’s almost certainly more affordable than what covering a major claim could cost if no protection is in place.
For help finding garage keepers insurance, contact the independent insurance agents at Paige & Campbell Insurance. Our agents have worked with many Vermont businesses that need this and similar coverages, and we’ll help you find the coverage option that’s best for your particular business. Since we’re an independent agency, we can recommend the best options from among many insurance companies that operate in the state.
Barre
P.O. Box 469
297 North Main Street
Barre, VT 05641
(802) 476-6631
Bradford
P.O. Box 392
25 North Main Street
Bradford, VT
(802) 222-5222
Waitsfield
5197 Main Street, Suite 3
Waitsfield, VT 05673
(802) 496-3118
This material is for informational purposes only. All statements herein are subject to the provisions, exclusions and conditions of the applicable policy, state and federal laws. For an actual description of coverage, terms and conditions, please refer to the applicable insurance policy or check with your insurance professional. The illustrations, instructions and principles contained in the material are general in scope and, to the best of our knowledge, current at the time of publication.
Mike Bancroft is simply an amazing agent. When my business got burglarized, I was so upset and didn't know what to do. I contacted Mike and he was very prompt in calling me back and he put my mind at ease. He made me feel so much better and handled all of the paperwork immediately. His customer service is top notch and I highly recommend him to be your insurance agent!