Garage coverage built for auto businesses.
Garage liability for your operations and garagekeepers for customers' vehicles, for repair shops, body shops, dealers, tire shops and towing yards.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Two coverages that work together
Garage liability covers injuries and property damage from your business operations, including the work you do on vehicles. Garagekeepers covers customers' vehicles while they're in your care.
Most auto businesses need both, and many carriers write them together as a garage policy. I place garage risks with carriers that have dedicated garage underwriters.
- Garage liabilityInjuries and damage from your operations.
- GaragekeepersCustomers' vehicles in your care.
- Completed workClaims from work you've finished.
- Dealer platesCoverage for vehicles driven on plates, where needed.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Business: type and years in business.
- Vehicles: customer cars on site and their values.
- Operations: road tests and customer pickup.
- Payroll: technicians and staff.
- Premises: own or lease, square feet.
- History: current policies and loss runs.
Garage liability insurance, answered
Is garage liability the same as general liability?
Garage liability is written for auto businesses and includes exposures general liability often leaves out, such as operating customer vehicles.
Do I need garagekeepers?
If customers leave vehicles with you, yes. Garage liability alone doesn't cover damage to their cars.
Are road tests covered?
Under the right garage policy, yes. Disclose them.
What about my tools?
Tools and equipment are covered with property or inland marine coverage.
Do you offer garage liability insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. California policies are placed directly; outside California the request is handled together with a partner agency in your state, and the shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Send the shop details. I'll shop it.
Your business type, payroll and customer cars on site are enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued. Some policies may be placed with nonadmitted (surplus lines) insurers, which are not members of the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA).
Tell me how to reach you. I’ll take it from there.
Takes about 30 seconds. I review every request personally and call you back, usually the same day.
(424) 552-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
Get a reminder before your renewal.
Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.