Auto Body Shop Insurance & Collision Repair Shop Insurance

Do you need insurance for an auto body shop?

auto body and collision repair insurance quotes

If you're looking for auto body shop business insurance, we can get you free quotes.

Auto body shops repair cars that have been in fender benders and collisions. They make cars look as good as new so that it's impossible to tell that the accident ever happened.

The clients who entrust body shops with their vehicles rely on their advice and experience, which is why auto body repair shops can be sued for fraud and negligence. And that's why you need the right auto body shop insurance.

Collision repair shops are sued all the time for issues like...
  • Faulty work

  • Customers slipping and falling while in the garage area

  • Peeling paint

  • Not using factory original parts

  • Workers comp claims

Get comprehensive auto body repair shop insurance quotes

We will take the time to understand your business, clients, and specific industry-related liabilities and challenges. Complete our online form or contact us today at (877) 341-5728 to schedule your free, no-strings-attached collision repair shop insurance consultation today.

Are you protected from all of the risks that your auto body shop faces?

insurance risk consultation insurancehub

Here at InsuranceHub, we have experience helping businesses get auto body shop insurance, including:

  • Antique and classic automobile restoration
  • Automotive body shops
  • Automotive interior shops
  • Automotive paint shops
  • Automotive tops (canvas or plastic), installation, repair, or sales and installation
  • Automotive trim shops
  • Bump shops
  • Collision shops
  • Customizing automobiles, trucks or vans: except on a factory basis
  • Upholstery repair for vehicles
  • Van conversions, except on a factory basis

Collision shops need protection from the following exposures:

Property exposure

Your biggest concerns come from the flammable paints, chemicals, solvents, and welding gas tanks that you use. To reduce your property risks, you should...

  • Properly label, separate, and store flammables in approved locked metal cabinets.
  • Make sure that all painting, coating, and rustproofing is done within spray booths with proper ventilation.
  • Make sure that all wiring and light fixtures are UL-approved and meet electrical codes.
  • Hire only licensed and insured electricians to do electrical work in your shop.
  • Make sure all welders are properly trained to perform work behind flash/welding curtains.
  • Keep all welding gas tanks in a safe, secure location.

Inland marine exposure

Your computers are some of your biggest inland marine exposures. Ask yourself the following questions to determine your inland marine computer risks. 

  • Do you offer credit on repair balances?
  • Do you use computers to monitor inventory?
  • Do you use computers to mix paint?

As an added precaution, you should have backup copies of all customer and vendor records, including computer records, stored off-site.

Environmental impairment exposures

Your auto body shop faces environmental exposures because paint and solvents are toxic. Reduce the risk of polluting the environment by...

  • Setting up procedures to follow to prevent accidental leakage and contamination of water and soil.
  • Setting up contracts for the proper disposal of all environmentally dangerous chemicals.

Crime exposures

Your biggest concerns are employee theft, holdups, and burglary. To manage your crime-related risks, you can...

  • Do criminal background checks before hiring.
  • Make daily bank deposits that you don't have excess cash on your premises overnight.
  • Install video cameras.
  • Monitor inventory regularly.
  • Conduct annual audits.
  • Install panic buttons.
  • Install a monitored security system.

Premises liability exposure

Your biggest concerns for your premises liability are slips and falls. To reduce the chances of someone taking a nasty fall, you should...

  • Set up a customer waiting area.
  • Set up signs clearly warning that customers are not permitted in the garage area.
  • Repair frayed carpets and tears.
  • Fix all holes and cracks in the floors.
  • Repair all cracks and holes in the sidewalk and parking lots.
  • Clean all spills immediately.
  • Remove all snow and ice to prevent slips and falls.
  • Make sure all emergency and exit lights work.
  • Install sufficient exterior lighting.
  • Install chains or fences if you keep customer cars on your lot overnight.

Automobile exposures

Do you have employees picking up parts and materials? Who is driving your vehicles? Your auto body shop might face automobile exposures. Lower your risk by...

  • Doing regular MVR checkups on all drivers.
  • Taking the time to regularly maintain your vehicles so that tires and brakes are in good order. Make sure that you keep good copies of those records!

Garagekeepers exposure

Anything can happen to a customer vehicle while it is in your garage. Your customers leave their cars in your care, custody, and control, so you should take the following precautions to reduce your risk and account for these cars in your auto body shop insurance. 

  • Be sure to properly secure all vehicles. What if one fell off a lift?
  • Take care when you're changing tires. A bolt that isn't tightened properly when changing a tire could cause the tire to fall off while your client is driving.
  • Make sure that employees double check cars before working on them. You don't want to paint someone's car the wrong color!
  • Keep customer keys in a locked box.
  • Require photo ID before giving car keys back to the owner.
  • Install plenty of exterior lighting in your lot.
  • Install a chain or fence to prevent vehicle theft after hours and on the weekend.

Workers compensation exposures

Your employees face significant risks in their jobs. To help protect the people who work in your shop, you should...

  • Make sure that all hoists and jacks are well-maintained and procedures are in place to prevent vehicles from falling.
  • Enforce good house cleaning habits. Clean up leaks and spills immediately to prevent slips and falls. Do a shop cleaning at the end of every day.
  • Teach good lifting techniques to avoid back injury.
  • Provide safety equipment and make sure that your employees wear it. 
  • Remember that prolonged exposure to fumes and vapors from paint spray can cause lung and skin problems. 

It's also important to make sure that your auto body shop insurance plan includes coverage for your employees.

Here is the minimum recommended collision shop insurance coverage:
minimum insurance coverages for a small business insurancehub
  • Business Personal Property
  • Business Income
  • Employee Dishonesty
  • Money and Securities
  • Accounts Receivable
  • Computers, Valuable Papers, and Records
  • General Liability
  • Employee Benefits
  • Environmental Impairment
  • Umbrella
  • Business Automobile Liability and Physical Damage
  • Hired and Nonownership Auto
  • Garagekeepers
  • Workers Compensation

Other body shop insurance coverages to consider:

  • Building
  • Earthquake
  • Flood
  • Leasehold Interest
  • Real Property Legal Liability
  • Forgery
  • Computer Fraud
  • Signs
  • Cyber liability
  • Employment-related Practices
  • Stop Gap Liability

Get started today

It's easy as a few taps.

We'll explain your business insurance options, offer our advice, and get you on your way to the commercial protection you need.