Tough Garage Risk in CA

[Rob]

I have a risk that manufactures flatbeds and welds them onto trucks (primary customers are Truck rental places). They also install (no manufacturing) liftgates onto vehicles. So they have a GL exposure and a Garage exposure. No luck on the garage liability. I can get the GKLL but they won't do the garage liability. Receipts are about $360,000. So far the following have declined:

Century Surety
Burlington
Maxum
Evanston
Colony

I'm going to try National Fire. Any other ideas?

[CObroker]

I had a risk like this a few years ago with the same problem. My insured manufactured RV's onto pick-up chasis. The problem was the removal of the garage keepers form and the primary carrier excluded the coverage from the general liability policy.

We were able to get Western Heritage to write another GL policy that didn't exclude garage keepers but excluded all other (or maybe it was secondary on all other)- Pain in the rear, but it worked.

This was in Colorado. I'm not sure about California, but I would try talking to your surplus lines wholesaler or insurer(s) about going this route.

-Good luck

[pita3333]

Hartford used to have an affinity group that handled just this type of exposure....we used it for tow rig installation/mfg.

I would check to see if still available...recall that you did not need hartford appointment to write in the program.

[Rob]

I had a risk like this a few years ago with the same problem. My insured manufactured RV's onto pick-up chasis. The problem was the removal of the garage keepers form and the primary carrier excluded the coverage from the general liability policy.

We were able to get Western Heritage to write another GL policy that didn't exclude garage keepers but excluded all other (or maybe it was secondary on all other)- Pain in the rear, but it worked.

This was in Colorado. I'm not sure about California, but I would try talking to your surplus lines wholesaler or insurer(s) about going this route.

-Good luck

Well I forgot to say Western Heritage declined the garage. What I have so far is Admiral willing to write GL and also a GKLL but won't write the garage liability exposure.....which I don't see the logic behind, but anyway, there would still be a gap that needs to be filled.

[AlstonCPCU]

Garagekeepers is physical damage coverage - simple claims, no tail.

Garage Liability & Products for the installation - complicated claims, legal defense costs, etc. and that's probably why it's complicated to place.

[Rob]

Garagekeepers is physical damage coverage - simple claims, no tail.

Garage Liability & Products for the installation - complicated claims, legal defense costs, etc. and that's probably why it's complicated to place.

Sure but they are willing to write a GL policy which is what I meant when I said I don't understand the logic. This would cover installation, etc. So the only thing they don't want to do is write it on a garage chassis which leaves open the exposure of injuring someone or damaging others property while moving the vehicles.

[ComGirl1970]

Try Scottsdale's auto service program. Super expensive, but slightly less restrictive. They may be willing to consider.

[sanddog1]

Rob, Hartford just open to this class you're seeking. In their middle market, SIC class code 3713 and 3715. The description you gave fits this new program.