What auto repair shop insurance is
Auto repair shop insurance is a package of coverages that protects an independent repair business from the risks it runs every day: a customer hurt on the premises, a car damaged while in the shop’s care, stolen tools, an injured mechanic, or a lawsuit. Most shops carry several coordinated lines rather than a single policy, because a garage faces exposures a generic small-business policy doesn’t address.
The two lines owners most often confuse are garage liability and garagekeepers. They are not the same thing, and the difference matters when a customer’s vehicle is damaged. We keep them on separate pages for that reason.
The core lines
A typical program for a repair shop is built from these components. Limits and forms shown are placeholders until confirmed against the issued policy.
Garage liability
Bodily injury and property damage arising out of shop operations and the premises where you service vehicles. Higher limits available.
Garagekeepers
Physical damage to a customer’s vehicle in your care, custody, or control, on the ISO Garage Coverage Form. Applies where the shop is legally liable.
Property
Your building, contents, tools, lifts, and diagnostic equipment against covered loss on premises.
Workers’ comp
Mechanic and staff injury coverage. Requirements are statutory and differ by state.
Excess / umbrella
Additional liability limits above your garage liability, for the claims that run big.
Cyber
Data breach and cyber exposure for shops handling customer and payment information.
Who needs it
General repair shops, auto body and collision shops, tire and quick-lube operations, transmission and specialty shops, and mobile mechanics all carry versions of this coverage. What changes between them is the mix — a body shop holding customer cars for days has a larger garagekeepers exposure than a quick-lube bay; a shop with a lift and a scan tool has a larger tools-and-equipment schedule. See insurance by shop type.
What it costs
Premiums depend on payroll, revenue, the number of bays, the services performed, claims history, and the state. We don’t publish a flat price because a real quote is built from your shop’s specifics. See what drives the cost for the factors underwriters weigh.
How to get covered
As a program administrator, MGU, and retail broker, we place coverage with our carrier partners based on your risk. Start a quote and tell us about your bays, headcount, and the work you do.