As the owner of an auto body and repair shop, it is important to have a full understanding of your coverage. If not, you may find that your auto body and repair shop insurance has exclusions.

A common exclusion to be aware of: defective product coverage. Let’s take a look at a scenario…

Your auto body shop has installed a new engine in a client’s vehicle. A week later, you find out that the engine caught fire while the client was on a road trip and destroyed the entire vehicle. The final verdict: there was a defective part in the engine. The client comes back to your shop asking to be reimbursed for both his vehicle and the defective engine.

The first thing you may do is turn to your insurance agent to report the loss. However, many auto body shop owners will be DENIED because there is no coverage in place for a defective product. Why is this? Chances are your policy contained a Defective Products Exclusion, stating “Property damage caused by any of the insured’s products because of damage caused by a defect in the product or any part of it is not covered.”

Are you aware of the exclusions on your garage insurance policy? Our experts at Wolpert Insurance would be happy to go over your existing policy and make sure you are 100% protected from all types of scenarios, including this one. Just give us a call at (800) 299-6819!

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As the owner of an auto body shop and garage, it is important to understand that your business could face a faulty workmanship claim at any time. While both you and your employees are more than likely highly skilled professionals, mistakes may still happen. Have you considered preparing for a faulty workmanship claim by purchasing the right insurance?
Many times, coverage will NOT protect you from faulty workmanship. Take this case for example:
Your shop repairs a water pump for a client. Once it is complete, the client goes about their business. A few days later, the client notices that a warning light has turned on, and then another and another; the car suddenly stops running. The outcome: your shop has improperly installed the water pump and the motor has stopped running due to overheating.
Without the proper garage insurance in place, this type of scenario may not be covered. Coverage for this kind of loss may differ depending upon a given insurer’s interpretation of a garage policy exclusion. For example, the policy that your shop may have may contain an exclusion which denies property damage for “faulty work.” For more information on how to protect your shop from a faulty workmanship claim, contact our agency. Our experts at Wolpert Insurance would be happy to speak with you and make sure you are always 100% protected.

As the owner of an auto body and repair shop, it is important to be aware of the types of damages and accidents that are covered under your auto repair shop insurance policy. Now that we are well into the summer season, it is not uncommon for a customer with a boat to stop by. Whether a customer is looking to have their fiberglass hull repaired or simply need a boat tune-up, it is important for you to be 100% sure that your company will be covered if something were to go wrong.

The truth is, many repair shops may not actually HAVE the proper coverage in place when it comes to boats and watercrafts. Here is a quick example:

A customer comes into your shop looking to have their fiberglass hull repaired. You fix the hull; the customer pays, thanks you and is on their way. Later on, the customer is having a good time on their boat when suddenly, the hull begins to shake. Before you know it, the hull shatters and the customer does not survive the accident. At this point, a claim will be made against your boat shop because of the faulty repair. You assume that you are covered, but oh no… your garage insurance policy has a specific exclusion pertaining to watercrafts!

Our own Robert Mucci has recently had an online garage insurance article published by Tire Business magazine, “Repair Boats and You Could Get Sunk.” This article goes in depth about this type of scenario, zoning in on the specific “language” that exists in most Garage Keepers Liability coverage. Most times, the policy will state: “We will pay all sums the insured legally must pay as damages for “loss” to a “customer’s autos” left in the insured’s care while the insured is attending, services, repairing, parking, etc…” The key phrase in this statement: customer’s auto. “Customer’s auto” pertains to land motor vehicles, trailers or semi-trailers. Boats and other floatation vehicles not included!

At Wolpert Insurance, we want to make sure this type of scenario does not happen to you. If you are not sure what your auto repair shop insurance policy protects you from, it is best to ask the experts. Together, we can design a unique policy that will cover all types of vehicles that come into your shop, whether a classic car or a large boat. Contact us for more information today!

Here is a scenario: you rent out a car to a customer. During this process, you take their name, address, credit card information and maybe even a copy of their driver’s license or social security number to keep on file. All sensitive information is stored in locked file cabinets or maybe even the company computer system that is password protected. A few days later, you realize that your system has been hacked into and customer data has been stolen. Or maybe you suffered a break-in and the file cabinets have been ripped open. You are now a victim to a data breach.

If you are a Massachusetts business then you do business in a state with one of the toughest laws in the country when it comes to protecting personal information. But MA is not alone; CT, RI, NH, and 42 other states have joined in protecting this information as well. Why is this important to know?

Because should you suffer a data breach you may find yourself having to comply with not only the tough standards as set forth in MA but the nearby state laws as well when that consumer or employee resides in another state.

So what constitutes personal information in MA? A person’s first and last name (or first initial) combined with any one of the following:

• Driver’s License Number

• Credit Card or Bank Account Number

• Social Security Number

Who do you notify and how?

• MA Attorney General’s Office

• MA Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation

• Each affected or possibly affected resident

Interestingly enough the notice to consumers may require certain information that is different for every state. What a nightmare. Who pays for all this? Not to mention the bad publicity.

The first thing that should come to mind when asked this question is: does my garage insurance program include cyber liability coverage? If so, this process just got a whole lot easier. Having cyber liability in place will make sure you are compensated for unexpected expenses that are associated with a breach. These costs will directly affect your business, which may include:

• Investigation expenses

• Notification expenses

• Legal fees and court costs

• Public relations expenses

• Time spent away from business in order to “manage” the data breach

• Payment of judgments

• Loss of customers!

As you can see, the expenses will add up. Without cyber liability insurance in place, your shop may not survive this process.

To add cyber liability insurance to your garage insurance plan, contact our agency. We would be more than happy to discuss this coverage and provide you with a free quote!

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As the owner of an auto body and repair shop, you understand the importance of maintaining a safe work environment, keeping up with industry-specific rules and regulations and updating your auto repair shop insurance. It is these three things that will allow you to run a smooth and secure operation.

Speaking of safety and security, when is the last time you updated the equipment in your auto body shop? Garage shop owners and employees who continue to use old equipment and methods may find that the chance of an injury or accident is much greater than those with new and improved tools. Why?

• New and improved equipment may have better safety features, ultimately lowering the risk of accidents and claims.

• Older equipment has a greater chance of malfunctioning than new equipment.

• Chances are, new equipment will be much more efficient and can possibly save you time and money.

• Using the newest tools will look professional and may bring more business to your shop.

These days, many auto body shops are taking a “greener” approach. Besides benefiting the environment, such an initiative will be healthier for your employees, too. New equipment can reduce toxic emissions produced in your shop. Once you replace old equipment, you may find that employees are suffering less and in turn, be able to keep workers compensation claims to a minimum. In the end, this will ensure that your premium remains low!

For more information on reducing risks in your auto body shop, contact our agency. We would be more than happy to share our knowledge in this unique field. We would also be glad to provide you with a free auto repair shop insurance quote!

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As the owner of a garage and auto body shop, you understand that there are health and even life-threatening risks in your shop. Without the proper training, equipment and tools for the job, your workers may be filing for workers compensation sooner than later. Luckily, having a garage insurance program in place will make sure your workers are protected, but it is still best to avoid a claim.
During the past few weeks, we have discussed the risks that toxic solvents bring to your shop. This week, we have decided to look into another health concern: the exposure to dust from sanding operations. Exposing your employees to hazardous air pollutants (HAPS) will have a negative effect on their health in the long run. To minimize this risk, you can:

• Purchase and use a vacuum sander to collect the dust during sanding operations;

• Avoid bringing home your “work clothes” to keep these HAPs in the shop.

• Have your clothing cleaned by a professional.

• Wear safety goggles and a mask when sanding. Employees may think that masks are too hot or a nuisance to wear, but it is NOT an option! Masks are mandatory, according to OSHA regulations.

• Avoid bringing food and drinks into the shop where sanding procedures are typically done.

As you can see, there are always ways to minimize risks in the shop. To avoid exposing your employees to this, it is essential to follow the tips listed above to minimize the dust from sanding operation in your shop.

For more information on how to lower the risks on your shop, contact our agency. Our professionals would be happy to assess your risks and offer possible solutions. We would also be more than happy to provide you with a free garage insurance quote!

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As the owner of an auto body and repair shop, it is not uncommon to have used vehicles for sale or even customer autos held on consignment. If you do it’s important that you are aware of the risks that your garage and employees face on an everyday basis. By being aware of your risks, you can purchase the right amount of insurance and the proper policies to protect you from the worst case scenario. Auto repair shop insurance can be designed to cover just about anything! One coverage option that you may not be familiar with: driveaway collision insurance.

According to IRMI.com, dealers driveaway collision is: “a garage policy endorsement that broadens the collision coverage for autos being driven or transported from point of purchase or distribution to the destination. The garage form limits collision coverage for these autos to apply only within a 50-mile radius of your facility The exclusion will apply if the distance is greater than 50 miles, even if a collision occurs within the 50-mile radius. Driveaway collision coverage deletes this distance exclusion and affords coverage for the pickup or delivery to or from a point greater than 50 miles from the dealership.”
In other words, if you are driving a vehicle and are involved in an accident, you better hope the final destination is less than 50 miles away! Let’s say it actually comes out to be 70 miles… you will not be covered. This is where driveaway insurance comes into play. If your shop has cars that either you or your customers own for sale, this endorsement may be useful to you.
If you want to learn more about driveaway insurance, contact our experts at Wolpert Insurance. We would be more than happy to go over this policy endorsement in further detail. You should also contact us for a free auto repair shop insurance quote! We would be happy to go over the risks in your particular garage and make sure you have the proper policies in place. Your shop is unique; and your coverage should be, too!
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In this day and age, going green in your shop is the way to go. Going green does not only mean a reduction of costs for your auto body and repair shop, but more importantly it reduces health hazards and possible risks down the line. Besides being safer for your own workers, it is also beneficial to the customers that come in and out of your shop. A safer way of working is the way to go, especially if that means more business for you in the end!

While we may be your go-to for information on garage insurance policies and coverage, we are also here to help you lower risks in your business and keep hazards to a minimum. That being said, we have put together a quick list. Here are just a few benefits of using less toxic paints and solvents:
• Toxic paints and solvents have been shown to negatively affect health over time. Both your workers and even customers may suffer health issues down the line.
• Going green reduces the risk of lung cancer.
• Reduces worker and customer exposure to hazardous air pollutants.
• Reduces the cost of hazardous waste disposal.
• Lowers the chance of spills, lowering the number of slips and falls.
Trust us; Americans are on the prowl for green businesses these days. If your business can hop on the green band wagon now, you may start growing sooner than later!
As we mentioned before, going green will not only mean a growing clientele. The less toxic chemicals and solvents you use in your shop, the less pollution, mishaps, accidents, and claims… the benefits are endless! Of course, the lower the number of claims made in your shop may mean a lower garage insurance premium. If you are wondering how going green may affect your premium, contact our agency! We would be happy to discuss with you.
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Over the past few weeks, we have discussed the harmful effects of solvents in your auto body shop. The truth is, there are plenty of other harmful chemicals besides just solvents (such as toxic paints!) We enjoy being your go-to for garage insurance inquiries, but we also enjoy sharing our knowledge on garage safety. This week, let’s focus on paint use!

While it may not be possible to eliminating paint use all together, there are always ways to reduce it. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, there are a few ways to do so:
1. Opt for high-volume-low-pressure (HVLP) spray guns as opposed to conventional spray guns. They may cost more, but they will reduce labor time and pollution.
2. Provide training to your employees to ensure the best spray application techniques. Those with higher transfer efficiency will save paint, reduce application time, and reduce exposure to air pollutants.
3. Stop spilling paint! Try to minimize waste and spills while you mix paint.
4. Use air-tight containers to reduce vapors and waste. The only time you should open these containers is to add or pour liquid.
There are plenty of benefits to reducing paint use in the garage. It can reduce labor time, costs associated with product purchases, application time and most importantly, it can reduce exposure to hazardous air pollutants. That is a plus for your workers!
At Wolpert Insurance, we want the best for your auto body and repair shop. This is exactly why we are dedicated to providing you with the most comprehensive garage insurance program in New England! For more information, contact our agency today.
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If you are the owner of a garage or auto body repair shop, you know that the risks are endless, whether they are liability risks or environmental risks. Luckily, you have garage insurance in place to take care of accidents and injuries on the job site, but it is up to you to handle and lower the risks that affect the environment.

Last week, we discussed the importance of recycling solvents in your auto body shop. We focused the blog on recycling solvents on-site but this week, we are focusing on recycling solvents off-site. Here are a few things you should know:
• If you decide to ship solvent waste to an off-site location, look for a facility that processes waste solvent and returns clean solvent to you.
• If you cannot find a facility that does this, look for one that recycles for reuse as cleaning or other solvent, not fuel!
• Make sure that the recycler that you choose is permitted by Department of Toxic Substances Control. You may want to check their compliance history, as well.
• Off-site solvent recycling may cost up to $18,000/year.
• If you are an off-site recycler, you are in charge of obtaining all essential permits and maintaining regulatory compliance at the facility.
Whether you recycle solvents on-site or off-site, you are still doing your part to recycle and save. At Wolpert Insurance, we believe that you should constantly be looking to improve your business. Recycling solvents is beneficial, so what are you waiting for?
If you are more concerned about discussing coverage for your auto body shop, contact our agency today. We would be more than happy to provide you with a free garage insurance quote.

Happy recycling!
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