Mobile mechanic insurance for the driveway job.
Garage liability, coverage for customers' cars in your care, tools and commercial auto for mechanics who repair vehicles at homes, offices and fleet yards.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Your shop moves every day
Most garage policies are built around a fixed shop address. A mobile mechanic works on customers' cars in driveways, parking lots and fleet yards, so the policy has to follow the work, including the customer's car while it's in your hands and the repair after the customer drives away.
California generally requires anyone repairing vehicles for pay to register with the Bureau of Automotive Repair, mobile operations included, and carriers often ask for it. I set up coverage around how and where you actually work.
- Garage liabilityInjuries and damage from your work, including repairs that fail later.
- GaragekeepersCustomers' vehicles while they're in your care.
- Tools and equipmentScan tools, jacks and hand tools in the van or on site.
- Commercial autoThe service van or truck you work out of.
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.
- Work: the repairs you do, and any you won't touch.
- Where: homes, businesses, fleet yards or roadside, with rough percentages.
- Customer cars: the most valuable vehicle you'd typically work on.
- Registration: your BAR registration, or that you're applying.
- Vehicle and tools: your van or truck and the value of your tools.
- History: any current policy and claims.
Mobile mechanic insurance, answered
Does general liability cover damage to the car I'm working on?
Usually not. General liability policies generally exclude property in your care, custody or control, and a customer's car on your jack is exactly that. Garagekeepers coverage is what responds.
Can garagekeepers cover work at the customer's location?
It can, but forms vary and some are written around a shop address. I make sure the coverage applies where you actually do the work.
Am I covered if a repair fails after the customer leaves?
Garage liability can cover injury or damage caused by a faulty repair, such as a brake failure that leads to an accident. The cost of redoing your own work is usually not covered.
What about oil or coolant spilled on a customer's driveway?
Fluid spills can run into pollution exclusions on some policies. Tell me what you work on and I'll check the wording.
Does my personal auto policy cover my service van?
Usually not once it's used as a mobile shop. A commercial auto policy is built for business use, and some carriers combine it with the garage policy.
Do you offer mobile mechanic 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.
Tell me how you work. I'll shop it.
The repairs you do, your van and your BAR registration status 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.