Have you considered the difference between garagekeepers coverage and garage liability insurance? While many may consider these policies the same thing, we are here to tell you that there IS a BIG difference. In order to consider your business to be properly covered with garage insurance, both policies are crucial to have.

So, what are the differences? The best way to understand is through an example.

Let’s assume an employee spills a flammable liquid or gasoline in the garage. A spark from an employee welding nearby ignites the liquid, burning a vehicle also in your garage. To make matters worse, a customer is injured vacating the building and a laptop and some golf clubs in the truck are burnt.

Garage liability insurance:

According to IRMI Online, garage liability insurance is defined as: “insurance covering the legal liability of franchised and non-franchised automobile, truck, truck-tractor, motorcycle, recreational vehicle, and trailer dealers for claims of bodily injury and property damage arising out of business operations.”

Therefore, it is the general liability policy that would respond to the claims associated with the injured customer. But what about the car and the contents?

The general liability policy excludes from coverage any personal property that is in your care, custody, or control. It does not matter whether this personal property is owned or used in a business.

Garagekeepers coverage:

This particular policy covers the legal liability for garage shops, dealers, repair shops, etc. While a customer’s vehicle is sitting in your shop, there is no telling what might happen to it. Garagekeepers coverage (unendorsed) protects the customer’s vehicle while you are keeping it on location for parking, storing or performing service. It will also provide protection for damages by fire, theft, collision or vandalism. But there is a catch. The garage keeper must have some degree of negligence associated with the claim.

Assume that in the above example it was lightning that ignited the fire. Since that is not the fault of the shop owner, generally they would not be liable for the loss and the policy would not pay even though the vehicle is in their care. While at first glance this may seem awful, in that the garage owner is perceived to fend for themselves, remember that the garage owner is not legally liable and therefore cannot be held liable in court.

But because the source of the fire in this example rests with the negligence of the employee due to the flammable liquid spill, the resulting damage to the vehicle is covered by the garagekeepers policy.

Okay, but what about the contents of the vehicle? The contents are not covered by the general liability because of the care, custody and control exclusion. It is also not covered by the garagekeepers policy because personal property is not a vehicle and that’s all that a garagekeepers policy covers; vehicles.
So where do we get coverage? Through an endorsement to the policy adding coverage for customers personal property in the care of the shop owner.

At Wolpert Insurance, we can provide your unique business with garagekeepers insurance, garage liability insurance and whatever other insurance needs your business requires. Just like an expensive designer suit needs to be tailored to fit, we tailor coverages to suit the specific needs of your operation. If you have questions or concerns about garage insurance or any policy, feel free to contact us!

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As a professional in the world of auto body and
repairing, you know how important it is to master the art of color
matching. If a damaged vehicle comes into your shop, there is no doubt
you are going to have to mix up some paint and tint to find the exact
color. If it isn’t exact, your customers will assume you are sloppy and
may take their business elsewhere. Now, we may be your go-to garage insurance experts, but we also know a thing or two about technique!

Let’s face it: tinting is difficult. If you or your employees do not have a good understanding of color, you may find a lot of mismatching in your shop. Luckily, we have a few tips to offer that may help you perfect your tinting technique. Before tinting:
• Confirm the OEM code. If the OEM color code is misread, guessed or chosen incorrectly, the color is going to be mismatched. Accuracy is important; always double check.
• Measuring and mixing. The wrong measurement can mean a huge difference in color.
• Choose the correct reducer. You may opt for a reducer that quickens the repair process but different reducers will affect the color. It is important to understand the reducer you are working with.
• Mind your spray technique. The proper gun set-up, gun angles, air pressure, distance and overlap are critical for a near-perfect color match.
• Make a spray-out panel. While a spray-out panel is not used for all jobs, it may be a good idea to use it if you have doubts. Just make sure you are doing the exact same procedures to both the panel and the vehicle.
• Check your sight. Are you aware that about 25% of males have difficulty with color vision? A quick online test may be all you need to figure out if you are a part of that 25%.
Keeping these techniques in mind may result in a much better match. Once you have your color, it is time to blend and tint! Be sure to come back next week for another step-by-step guide to finish off the job.
At Wolpert Insurance, we want to see your auto body and repair shop succeed in every aspect of the business; from stellar service to nearly perfect color matching. We also want to make sure you are properly protected. With our reliable garage insurance, auto body shop owners will not have to worry about the worst case scenario. We offer protection for the vehicles, your employees and property. Do not hesitate to grab a free quote today!
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Working in a repair and auto body shop day in and day out is sure to have a negative effect on your health, especially if you are not mindful of the risks in your garage. As the owner, it is important to make sure both you and your employees are protected by providing the proper gear, workers compensation and garage insurance. Most importantly, it is crucial to make sure all workers are careful while using specific chemicals and products; dermal exposure is a serious health concern in this industry!
At Wolpert Insurance, we believe one of the best ways to protect your skin from coming in contact with harmful chemicals is simply wearing the proper gloves. According to OSHA, there are a variety of factors that may affect your glove selection, including:
• The type of chemical you will be handling;
• The frequency and duration of contact with the chemical;
• The temperature of the chemical;
• Concentration of the chemical;
• The nature of chemical contact (splashing, misting, total immersion, etc.)
• The length of your arm to be protected;
• Grip requirements (slippery, oily, dry);
• Thermal protection;
• Size and comfort;
• Price;
• Special glove features (cuff edge, lining, color, etc.)
One OSHA study indicated that 70% of the workers experiencing hand injuries were not wearing gloves. Hand injuries to the remaining 30% of the workers who were wearing gloves were caused by the gloves being either inadequate, damaged, or the wrong type for the type of hazard present. As you can see, a lot of thought should be put into this decision! To avoid harmful skin exposure, it may even be a good idea to have your shop evaluated by a professional; health and safety should be a priority!
At Wolpert Insurance, we always place safety and protection first. That is why we offer high-quality garage insurance. We have a wide-variety of programs that are dedicated to the auto repair industry, including: auto insurance, workers compensation, umbrella insurance, property insurance, employers’ liability insurance and much more. We want to help your business overcome these health hazards!
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As the owner of an auto body and repair shop, it is important to be just as skilled as a manager as it is to be as a mechanic. In order to remain profitable, it takes much more than just the necessary labor skills. A shop owner and manager must always be aware of changes in the field, procedures, billing, garage insurance, and any other areas that may affect the business and its profits.
More specifically, there are five areas that should be monitored and modified regularly in order to remain a profitable auto body and repair shop. The following five areas are:
#1: Estimate: It is important to be thorough and specific when writing estimates or else your profit may suffer. What may seem like a minor expense once may be multiplied as you continue to use the wrong estimate.
#2: Standard operating procedures: For a thorough estimate, it is important to be educated on each repair procedures. This is where standard operations procedures (SOPS) can be helpful, serving as a checklist for repairs once it comes time to figure out billing.
#3: Efficiency of the shop: It is crucial to continually improve processes. This may require constant training but it will be worth it. The ability to repair a vehicle correctly and in a swift manner will benefit your shop and reputation.
#4: Changes in equipment: There are constantly new and improved tools hitting the market. It is important that your shop keeps up with these changes. Some may end up affecting costs and profits so it is crucial to adjust.
#5: Shop integrity and honesty: Stellar customer service will go a long way. If your customers respect your workers and your shop as a whole, you may never face a shortage of business. Keep up that great reputation; it is hard to fix once it is tarnished!
While these are not the only five areas that should be monitored, they are certainly the most important. If you cannot properly manage these areas, you may find your company profit at a stand-still, or worse, at a loss.
Another important part to monitor and keep up with is your garage insurance. Without the proper protection in place, a minor issue could turn into a major financial loss. Luckily, this policy is specifically designed to cover the unique risks you may face as a garage shop owner. Possible products and services include: auto insurance, workers compensation coverage, employers’ liability insurance, umbrella insurance, group auto insurance, small business retirement planning and much more. Feel free to contact us for a free quote today!
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Over the past two weeks, we have discussed OSHA standards and how the proper precautions and procedures can help eliminate risks in the workplace. As the owner of an auto body and repair shop, it is crucial for you to be aware of these standards and ways to decrease medical and health risk. Having garage insurance and workers compensation will only go so far when protecting your employeLast week, we discussed the risks associated with welding, cutting and brazing. This week, we want to take a closer look into chemical exposure and how it can affect you skin. According to the United States Department of Labor, “the number of cases and the rate of skin disease in the US exceed recordable respiratory illnesses.” In 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 34,400 skin diseases.
While this issue may seem like an impossible feat, it is actually fairly easy to control and prevent dermal exposure in your workshop. Here are a few prevention tips to keep in mind:
• If possible, change the chemicals that you use. While you may be using a harsh chemical for a specific job, there may be a safer product that will get the same job done. Research!
• In order to avoid splashing or immersion, it may be a good idea to re-evaluate and re-deign the work process.
• Chemical protective gloves, an apron, goggles and other protective clothing and gear should be worn at all times.
• Find a pair of gloves that are best suited for the specific chemical that you are working with. Factors to consider: type of chemical, frequent and duration of chemical contact, nature of contact, concentration of chemical, temperature of chemical, grip requirements, thermal protection, glove features and much more.
The next time you are working with a chemical, remember these tips. Chances are, both you and your employees in the auto body and repair shop are using chemicals on a daily basis. Having the proper protection should keep your skin safe from harm.
Having protection for your business is important in all areas, not only when it comes to chemicals! Allow us at Wolpert Insurance to cover your shop with garage insurance. This policy is specifically designed to cater to the unique issues your shop faces each day; from auto insurance to discounted workers compensation. Better safe than sorry in such a risky work environment!
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If you are working in an auto body and repair shop on a daily basis, you understand the importance of recognizing risks. For business owners, it is crucial to look into the proper garage insurance to stay protected from potential threats and dangers. However, it takes much more than a policy to stay safe on the job.

Last week, we discussed safety from hazardous and toxic substances. However, these are not the only issues that employees in the auto body and repair shop business will face. Welding, cutting, and brazing are among the variety of hazardous activities in the workplace. Not only do these activities pose a physical safety risk, but health as well. According to The United Sates Department of Labor, “the risk from fatal injuries alone is more than four deaths per thousand workers over a working lifetime.”

There are a variety of health and safety hazards to be aware of when welding, cutting and brazing, including: exposure to metal fume, exposure to UV radiation, burns, eye damage, electrical shock, cuts, crushes toes and finger, and more. The best way to protect you and your workers from these potential risks is to follow proper procedures, work in a well-ventilated area and wear the correct protective equipment.

While your garage may be equipped and ready for the worst case scenario, that does not mean you will be able to avoid every possible risk. One of the best solutions? Staying covered with garage insurance. This policy will be able to protect your business from top to bottom, unlike a typical business insurance policy. We have designed this coverage to fit your garage’s specific needs, with policies such as employer’s liability insurance, discounted workers compensation, auto insurance, umbrella insurance and much more. If you are interested in putting your workers and company first, be sure to speak with us at Wolpert Insurance. We would be happy to supply you with a free quote!

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As an auto body and repair shop owner, you are aware of all the potential risks that both you and your employees are exposed to on a daily basis. Luckily, there are OSHA standards in place that can help minimize threats in the shop. However, there is no way to always be 100% immune to these risks. The best owners and workers can do is to be careful, follow standards and stay covered with reliable garage insurance.

The first step to staying safe is to recognize the risks. Many times, workers may be unaware of the potential hazards in the workplace, making them much more vulnerable to accidents and injuries. In order to help you better understand your risks, we have put together a series of OSHA standard blog posts. The first order of business: hazardous and toxic substances.

According to the United States Department of Labor, hazardous and toxic substances are defined as “those chemicals present in the workplace that are capable of causing harm. The term chemical refers to dusts, mixtures, paints, fuels and solvents.” Currently, OSHA regulates exposure to about 400 substances. In order to protect yourself and your workers from these chemicals, it is important to:

• Provide training in OSHA standards and training guidelines;

• Make sure the workplace is well-ventilated;

• Understand the toxic substances that you are using;

• Wear chemical-protective clothing;

By following these rules and being aware of OSHA standards, both you and your employees will be lowering risk and injuries in the workplace. If for some reason you DO have to face an injury or issue, you have our garage insurance to turn to for protection. This specific policy can provide workers compensation, group benefits, garagekeepers coverage, garage liability coverage, auto insurance, equipment and tools coverage and much more. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to speak with our experts at Wolpert Insurance!

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Garage insurance is not only for auto body shops, though it may seem like it. With terms like “auto” and “land,” it may not seem like boats and other modes of transportation would be included. However, with the proper changes and endorsements, you can make sure that the boats, engines and other watercraft vehicles in your repair shop are covered.

If you are the owner of a boat repair shop, you may wonder how you can properly protect yourself from any liability issues. What if the boat or engine is stolen while it is on your premises? What if the boat is damaged? There are a lot of “what ifs” involved in this type of business! Luckily, you can make sure you have your garage insurance tailored at Wolpert Insurance to fit these needs.

For the best protection, it is best to turn garagekeepers liability insurance. This policy will respond to certain comprehensive and collision type claims. However, it is important that you review the terms defined in the policy itself. If you notice words such as “auto” or “land”, as we stated above, it is best to ask questions and figure out if boats and watercraft vehicles are included. These policies should be read word-for-word in order to make sure you are not relying on the wrong coverage.

To properly insure the boats in your shop, the proper endorsement would be necessary. With an endorsement, you may be able to change the definitions of the policy to fit to your specific needs. Without this, you may end up in the wrong and left without coverage.

If you have any questions, concerns or are generally confused about a policy, it is best to speak up! We are equipped with insurance experts at Wolpert Insurance. We specialize in auto body and repair facilities, which make us the go-to for any questions or confusion. We are dedicated to helping you find the best garage insurance policies for your place of business!

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As a garage or auto body shop owner, you know that having garage insurance is critical in order to stay in business. That being said, you continue to pay an affordable premium and continue to work without having any claims. Suddenly, your premium has jumped in cost. What gives?
This is a common scenario and question from other garage and auto body shop owners. As your reliable insurance agency, we have an answer for you. Allow us to explain…
Insurance companies receive income from two sources: the premium charged to insurers and investment income. They use the premiums paid to invest in the marketplace to supplement their revenues. In the past, these investments could result in returns from 3-10%. However, if you have looked at your retirement account in recent years, you know invest income has dropped and this has affected insurance companies well.
Insurance companies are now faced with two choices:
#1: Increase the policyholder’s premium.
And/or
#2: Implement a very strict underwriting criterion in hopes of reducing losses.
These are the two main reasons why you may have seen a spike in your garage insurance premium. However, there are always ways to fight off these growing costs. If your garage or auto body shop can demonstrate safety, training and other efforts to lower the risks in the workplace, you may be able to bring those rising costs back down. Never hesitate to speak with us at Wolpert Insurance. We would be happy to talk about techniques and procedures in order to lower your premium!

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Are you looking to open an auto body shop for the upcoming year? Besides having a business plan, it is crucial to look into the proper coverage. For such a specialized company, it is important to look into specific coverage: garage insurance.
There are a few specific coverage options for this policy, including: garage keepers liability, general liability, property, auto and workers compensation. So what will you need exactly to complete a garage insurance quote?
Garage keepers liability: In order to figure out this number, one must calculate how many customer cars will be at your facility times the average value. For example: for a shop with 10 customer cars with an average value of $10,000 there would need to be a limit of $100,000.
General liability: This number is based on sales, which means one would need to figure out what the annual anticipated sales will be.
Property: This coverage should include your rental space, tools, spray booths, lifts, machinery, etc. So that an underwriter may properly assess the exposure, one would need ALL information relative to the building (e.g., sq. ft, construction, year built, the year that updates to the roof, electrical, heating and plumbing were performed) whether or not you own or rent.
Auto: If you need this coverage, it is crucial to put together information such as the drivers, names, DOB and license numbers. It will provide coverage for any company-owned vehicles and any repair plates.
Workers compensation: This policy is estimated on the payroll for the shop employees and any clerical staff that a company may have. Remember, this is a separate policy but an imperative one.
Once you have put together all of this information, you are well on your way to being 100% covered with garage insurance. Before going ahead and opening your auto body shop, be sure to check with the state about special requirements in order to register your shop. Other than that, we wish you the best of luck!
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