Month: September 2026

Two Coverages Every Repair Shop Needs to Understand

Garage Keepers Liability: Covering the Customer’s Vehicle

This is the coverage that specifically addresses damage to a customer’s vehicle while it’s in your care, custody, or control, whether it’s sitting on a lift, parked in your lot overnight, or being test-driven after a repair. MDL Services works with shop owners across Corydon and Chariton who assumed general liability alone would handle this, only to learn that garage keepers liability is its own distinct coverage.

General Liability: Covering Everything Else

General liability handles the more traditional risks, a customer slipping in the waiting area, a supplier’s delivery driver getting injured on the lot, or property damage unrelated to a specific customer vehicle. These two coverages work together rather than overlapping, which is exactly why understanding the distinction matters.

What a Repair Shop Actually Faces Day to Day

• A vehicle damaged while being moved between service bays
• A customer’s car stolen from the lot overnight
• Fire damage originating from welding or other repair work
• A slip-and-fall injury in the waiting area or shop floor

Why Rural Shops Face Their Own Considerations

A shop serving Corydon and Chariton often works on a wider range of vehicles than a specialized urban shop might, from personal cars to farm trucks and equipment. This broader scope means liability exposure can look different than it would for a shop that only services one type of vehicle, and coverage should reflect that variety.

Equipment and Tools Deserve Their Own Line Item

Lifts, diagnostic equipment, and specialized tools represent significant investment for a repair shop. Commercial property coverage, separate from garage keepers liability, addresses damage or loss to this equipment itself, not just customer vehicles passing through.

Building a Policy That Fits Your Shop

If your business repairs or services vehicles, it’s worth confirming your coverage specifically includes garage keepers liability alongside general liability and property coverage. MDL Services helps shop owners in Corydon and Chariton put together coverage that reflects what actually happens on their shop floor. Reach out through MDL Services to review your coverage.