Auto Repair Shop Insurance in New Hampshire

Also providing auto repair shop insurance to residents in Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, & Vermont.

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What is auto repair shop insurance?

Repairing vehicles comes with substantial risks, ranging from equipment theft to liability lawsuits. Auto repair shop insurance may help protect service centers in New Hampshire from many of the risks they face.

Auto repair shop insurance is a specialized insurance for businesses that service and repair vehicles. Policies usually bundle multiple coverages together, protecting against a range of risks.

What New Hampshire businesses does auto body shop insurance make sense for?

New Hampshire businesses generally should have auto body shop insurance if they service vehicles. Both auto repair shops and auto body shops might get this type of policy. Some more examples of businesses that may purchase an auto body policy are:

• Car dealerships with service centers
• Independent mechanics and garages
• Auto body and paint garages
• Heavy-duty truck repair specialists
• Transmission repair specialists
• Motorcycle-specific mechanics
• Custom exhaust services
• Quick oil changes

Dealerships normally get these coverages within a broader auto dealer insurance policy that provides additional protections.

What insurance protections should auto repair shops look for?

Auto body shop insurance policies typically come with multiple coverages. These can include:

• General Liability Coverage: Usually covers basic (not vehicle) accidents occurring on a repair shop’s property.
• Garage Keepers Liability Coverage: Usually covers damage to customer vehicles while they’re on a repair shop’s premises, or being test-driven by employees.
• Commercial Umbrella Coverage: Usually covers costly lawsuits that exceed the limits of general liability, garage keepers liability or other liability coverage.
• Commercial Property Coverage: Usually covers a repair shop’s building, equipment, and tools against various causes of damage or loss.
• Commercial Auto Coverage: Usually covers loaner vehicles, tow trucks, and other vehicles owned by the repair shop.
• Crime Coverage: Usually covers internal theft by employees, and normally also theft by burglars.
• Business Income Coverage: Usually covers extended periods of lost revenue following certain disasters that force a repair shop to close temporarily.

An insurance agent who understands the insurance needs of auto repair shops well can help determine which coverages make sense for a particular repair shop.

Do auto repair shops need to carry workers compensation?

Auto repair shops are normally required to carry workers compensation coverage, since they typically have a few employees. New Hampshire law requires most businesses that have employees to procure this coverage.

The main purpose of the coverage is to help protect employees and businesses if there’s a workplace injury, which is certainly a risk when working on vehicles. If an employee is injured when repairing a vehicle, or at another time, the coverage may reimburse their medical costs and lost wages.

Whether workers compensation is purchased as part of an auto body shop insurance policy depends on the policy. Sometimes it’s obtained separately, through a workers compensation-specific policy.

How much do auto repair shops pay for their insurance?

Premiums for auto body shop insurance vary based on several factors, such as the shop’s location, size, and scope of services. The types of vehicles, equipment used and many other details also can impact rates.

To find out how much insurance will cost in a specific situation, repair shops can compare quotes from several insurance companies with the aid of an independent agent. An independent agent will be able to request multiple custom quotes, and have the expertise necessary to evaluate each one.

How can mechanics and repair shops get auto repair shop insurance?

For help finding auto repair shop insurance in New Hampshire, contact the independent insurance agents at Insurance24. Our agents will work closely with you to find a policy that’ll protect your shop well.