Winning Garage & Dealers Submissions
Below, Garage Underwriters Karina Medina and Alysa Wiggins have offered similar tips for Creating a Winning Garage Liability Submission:
Most importantly to note is that not all questions will pertain to your risk. If they do not apply, please write N/A as the carrier requires a response. Blank answers can unnecessarily extend the underwriting time. If you’re meeting with a client, use THIS HIGHLIGHTED GARAGE & DEALERS APPLICATION. Note:
Everything in yellow is required for a garage or a dealer.
Everything in green is for service/repair
Everything in blue is for dealers.
I did use pink for some specific areas to highlight the instructions.
Detailed and complete applications, submitted in a timely fashion, are key to helping us create a quote that best serves the insured’s interests. Please continue reading to learn how to properly submit an application, review a quote packet, and submit a winning bind request that will lead to a more simplified, stress-free process dedicated to providing the insured with the best coverage possible.
Applicant Information
Policy Period Requested: Enter the effective dates needed
Business Trade Name: Enter the business name as registered to the state
Mailing Address: Address where the insured receives their mail (cannot be a PO BOX)
Years in business: If new venture enter 0 (if less than 3 years, provide experience in below space
of years in industry)
Business Entity: Must select one
General Underwriting Information
Describe Your Operations: check all that apply under Dealer operations or Service/Repair Operations (if they have both please select all that apply)
Describe total operation by percentage including types of vehicles you sell or service: Total must equal 100%
Related Operations: Select an incidental operation that do not fall under dealer operations or service/repair operations
Locations where you conduct Garage Operations: Even if they are mobile please fill in this section and put 100% mobile operations. Note: All dealer operations and service/repair operations are considered garage operations
Do you have an ownership interest in or operate any other business? Answer yes or no AND if yes, answer a-c.
Do you rent any space at this location to another business? Answer yes or no AND if yes answer a- b.
Do you lease or rent vehicles or dealer tags? Answer yes or no AND if yes, answer a-b.
Are autos loaned to customers? Answer yes or no AND if yes answer a-d.
Are firearms kept on premises? Answer yes or no.
Do you have any dogs on the premises? Answer yes or no; if yes, answer follow on question.
Do you tow for hire? Answer yes or no; if yes please fill out Tow Truck Questionnaire
Do you drive customers’ vehicles for the purpose of the pick up and/or delivery? Answer yes or no; if yes, answer follow on questions
How many transporter or repairer plates (non-dealers) do you own?
What is your lot security? Must select one
Where are vehicle keys kept when the lot or shop is closed? Must select one.
Do you park customer’s vehicles on the street? Answer yes or no
Prior Carrier Information: Must Complete unless new venture (currently valued and dated loss will
be required to bind)
Loss History for 3 Years: Must Complete unless new venture (currently valued and dated loss will be required to quote)
Dealers & Service Rating Exposure Basis: MUST list all employees for all operations; dealer and/or service/repair. (even if they do not drive) We must know if they are part time or full time, their job duties, date of birth and if they are furnished (provided a company vehicle for non-business travel) an auto to quote.
Dealers only OR Service with Scheduled Autos: List ALL Family members and non-family members (except customers) and indicate if they are furnished an auto for personal use or if they may be provided an auto for regular use, but not regularly furnished or if they have the opportunity to drive a scheduled auto?
Dealers Only OR Service with Scheduled Autos: Have all members of your household been disclosed on this application? Answer yes or no and IF no, please explain
Dealers Only OR Service with Scheduled Autos: Have all drivers, such as children away from home or in college, who may operate your vehicles on a regular or infrequent basis, been listed on this application? Answer yes or no and IF no, please explain
In the past 3 years, have you ever had insurance for this type of operation cancelled, declined or the policy renewal refused? (Missouri Applicants - Do not answer this question) Answer yes or No; IF yes, please explain
SALES Questions (If applicable)
Do you have a dealer’s license? Answer yes or no. If yes, what states are you licensed in?
What is the total number of plates issued in association with your dealer’s license? Total number of
plates AND break down by type
Who drives or transports vehicles to your lot? Select all that apply
Do you drive newly acquired autos over 300 road miles (50 miles for KS, KY, NH, MD, ME or WV)
from point of purchase to your lot? Answer yes or no. If yes, please complete follow on questions.
(if new in business, please estimate)
Do you deliver vehicles to customers after the sale is complete? Answer yes or no. If yes, please
complete follow on questions.
How many vehicles do you sell per year? Average number per year (if new in business, please
estimate) ALSO, answer a-c
If you repair salvage titled vehicles prior to sale please tell us what percent is structural, mechanical and/or cosmetic.
Do you repossess the vehicles you sell yourself? Answer yes or no.
Do you always ride along on test drives? Answer yes or no. If no, answer follow on question.
Service Questions (If applicable)
What percentage of your work is? (MUST TOTAL 100%) Fill in all that apply, if they are doing roadside assistance please provide percent of tire work
Are signs posted to keep customers out of the work area? Answer yes or no.
Are signs posted to keep customers out of the work area? Answer yes or no. If yes, answer a-b
Do you sell Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)? Answer yes or no. If yes, answer a-d
If you install Lift Kits, do you lift over 6”? Answer yes or no. If yes, please complete follow on questions.
If you paint, do you have a spray paint booth/separate room? Answer yes or no.
Racing: Answer ALL questions, a- c.
If you sell or service Tires (other than Motorcycle or Roadside Assistance) complete the following section: Complete this whole section if you put ANY percentage in question 33 under tires.
Coverage requested
Garage Liability Limit: This section must be filled out. We cannot give recommendations as each state has their own requirements and we are not licensed in your state to provide recommendations. Please discuss with insured.
Medical Payments Limits: Select if they want medical payments and select premises only OR combined if you are selecting a limit.
Garagekeepers: This is an optional coverage. This option should be selected if the insured wants coverage for vehicles (owned by others) that are in their care, custody and control. This type of coverage is for service/repair services only.
Determining lot limits should be done by multiplying the average number of vehicles by the average value. See example below. The Maximum Limit per Vehicle should be the value of the most expensive vehicles the insured will perform service/repair on.
Ex. Location #1, Average # of Vehicles on Lot = 4, Average Value per Vehicle = $10k, Maximum Limit per Vehicle $20k, Total Lot Limit $40k. Please note that the lot limit cannot be less than the max limit per vehicle!
Legal Liability OR Direct Primary: Select one
Legal Liability - Only pays out if you are legally responsible for the loss.
Direct Primary - Pays for the loss whether you are legally obligated to do so or not.
Please note that we cannot offer direct primary to new ventures and ventures not in business for at least 3 years
Specified Causes of Loss (SCOL) OR Comprehensive : Select one
Specified Causes of Loss – Only specified perils listed, such as flood, vandalism, or hail are covered.
Comprehensive - Pays for damages caused to the insured vehicle which result from any loss other than collision, after the insured pays for the deductible first.
Collision: Pays for damages caused to an insured vehicle which result from the vehicle colliding with another object (vehicle, wall, etc.) or from the overturn of the vehicle. The coverage pays to repair the damaged vehicle itself after the insured pays the deductible, not anything else.
Dealers Physical Damage: This is an optional coverage. This option should be selected if the insured wants coverage for vehicles they own. This is for dealers ONLY and does not apply to service and repair operations.
Determining lot limits should be done by multiplying the average number of vehicles by the average value. See example below. The Maximum Limit per Vehicle should be the value of the most expensive vehicles the insured will perform service/repair on.
Ex. Location #1, Average # of Vehicles on Lot = 10, Average Value per Vehicle = $10k, Maximum Limit per Vehicle $20k, Total Lot Limit $100k. Please note that the lot limit cannot be less than the max limit per vehicle!
Specified Causes of Loss (SCOL) OR Comprehensive : Select one
Specified Causes of Loss – Only specified perils listed, such as flood, vandalism, or hail are covered.
Comprehensive - Pays for damages caused to the insured vehicle which result from any loss other than collision, after the insured pays for the deductible first.
Collision: Pays for damages caused to an insured vehicle which result from the vehicle colliding with another object (vehicle, wall, etc.) or from the overturn of the vehicle. The coverage pays to repair the damaged vehicle itself after the insured pays the deductible, not anything else.
Types of Vehicles: Select new, used, or both
Interests Covered: Select all that apply.
Loss Payee: Provide name and address if adding to policy.
Optional Coverages:
Additional Insured & Relationship: Provides coverage for one who qualifies as "insured."
Broad Form Products Liability: Provides coverage for property damage liability for products with unknown pre-existing defects
Broadened Coverage–Garage: This includes Personal and Advertising Injury as well as Fire Legal.
Cyber Suite: Provides coverage for cyber liability, data compromise, identity theft recovery. (We provide this on a separate policy if the insured would like, please ask so we can get you an application.)
Drive Other Car Coverage: Commonly used when an executive officer, for example, does not carry personal auto insurance because he or she is furnished a company auto.
Error sand Omissions for Auto Dealers: Extends Liability coverage to include damages arising out of error or omission in compliance with Federal, State or local statutory provisions.
False Pretense: Can only be offered if insured accompanies on test drives.
Fire Legal Liability: Also known as Damages to Premises Rented to You. Provides coverage for property damage liability for products with unknown pre-existing defects. This is included in Broadened Coverage form.
Hired Auto: Provides coverage for a non-owned auto that may be borrowed as well as rented or leased by the insured.
Waiver of Subrogation: Carrier gives up the right to act against a third party for a loss suffered by an insured.
Watercraft Liability: Provides coverage for limited in-water exposure.
Commercial Property Coverage: MUST completean ACORD 125 and 140 and submit for a separate quote
PersonalInjury Protection (Dealers Only): Provides coverage for economic lossessustained in a motor vehicle accident, regardless of fault. The major difference between PIP and Medical Payments coverage is that Medical Payments only covers actual medical wages or income, hospitalization, cost of caretakers and any other financial loss resulting from the accident up to specified policy limits
Underinsured Motorists (Dealers Only): Provides coverage for payment of bodily injury or property damage when the other party to the accident is at fault and their liability limits are insufficient to cover the damages or injuries sustained by the insured.
Specifically Described Autos
Please complete our commercial auto application and submit.
We have very few states we can add scheduled autos to the policy to create a package.
Questions? Contact submissions@bigfootbinds.com