Auto Body & Collision Repair Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages an auto body & collision repair business may carry — core, prevalent, and situational — why each matters, and the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current policy and check the box next to any coverage you can confirm is already in place — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor. Coverage checklist for collision repair shops. Priorities reflect typical exposure; confirm against structural, refinishing, and ADAS work.
Tick each coverage you can confirm you carry — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Have it? | Coverage | Why this business needs it | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage Liability (incl. | Completed Operations) Covers injuries from the shop's work after the vehicle leaves — the core coverage for repair shops. | Core | |
| Garagekeepers | Covers customers' vehicles in the shop's care — confirm the basis (legal liability vs. direct) and limit. | Core | |
| Umbrella / Excess Liability | Adds limits for structural-repair verdicts like John Eagle. | Core | |
| Commercial Property (incl. Paint Booth) | Covers the building and booth — spray fires are a leading shop loss. | Core | |
| Pollution Liability | Covers paint, solvent, and hazardous waste releases. | Prevalent | |
| Workers' Compensation | Required in most states; lifts, tools, and chemicals drive injuries. | Core |
The coverage gap most often missed
The most commonly missed exposure for this class is repairing to the insurer's estimate instead of the maker's procedure. The John Eagle verdict — $42 million, 75% assigned to the shop — followed a glued roof that Honda required to be welded, and the director testified repairs were "guided by insurance." ADAS calibration is expected to produce the next such verdict. Shops should follow and file OEM procedures regardless of who pays, calibrate ADAS to spec, and source air bag parts only through the manufacturer.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your auto body & collision repair coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Auto Body & Collision Repair Insurance · Auto Body & Collision Repair Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does an auto body & collision repair business need?
The core coverages for an auto body & collision repair business are Garage Liability (incl., Garagekeepers, Umbrella / Excess Liability, Commercial Property (incl. Paint Booth), Workers' Compensation. This checklist also lists the prevalent and situational coverages worth considering, with a plain-English note on why each matters.
Is this checklist insurance advice?
No. It is a free educational tool to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed professional. It affords no coverage and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice — only your actual policy language governs what is and isn't covered.
Can Cory Washington & Co. review my auto body & collision repair coverage?
Yes. Share your checklist and we'll review your program line by line, market your account across multiple carriers, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
This checklist is a free educational tool from Cory Washington & Co. to help you review your own coverage and have a more informed conversation with a licensed insurance professional. It is general information only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy, change, or cancel any policy. Coverage terms, availability, limits, and requirements vary by policy, carrier, and state, and only the language in your actual policy governs what is and isn’t covered. Checking or leaving blank any item above does not indicate that you are adequately insured or under-insured. Using this checklist does not create a client, agency, or fiduciary relationship. Always consult a licensed professional about your specific situation.