quote:
Originally posted by Benz Dr.
I have a standard garage auto insurance policy that covers me for most things but I still insist that everyone have their own insurance if I'm to be driving their car on public roads. If I use my service plate then it's covered by my insurance. However, you should NEVER expect any shop to be the primary carier for insuring YOUR car. Many cars are under insured these days and the shop shouldn't have to cough up money because you didn't insure your car properly.
Shop insurance is to protect the operation from liability, fire and other things. Some places have a sign that says '' Not responsible for lost or stolen goods. '' This is because some of these things end up in the owners hands I suppose.
The bottom line is simple:
You better keep full coverage on your car while it's at a shop being worked on. Some policys only cover so much and you might be out a lot of money if that place doesn't have enough to cover for all the things that could happen. If there was a huge lawsuit that included you and you had nothing on the car.....
You wouldn't believe how many people pull all their insurance off their car while it's being restored thinking the shop has it covered. If someone runs into your car while it's parked out in front of the shop are you covered? You might not be....
Dan Caron's
SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
slbarn.mbz.org
1 877 661 6061
Some interesting points.
However, in my case, I could not insure it while it was being restored as it was not registered. It was not registered because it was not drivable. How could you place a value on a work in progress? If "collector car" insurance as Hagerty provides, they need photos. Of a body shell? When? See the issue here? Of course not all restorations are that complete but I think you get the idea. If not collector car insurance, it would only be regular which might cover liability etc. but a book-value collision if any. There might be some "work in progress" insurance available.
Of course it makes sense to
maintain insurance while the car is being worked on, but while the car is in the hands of a licensed and insured mechanic or similar shop,
their insurance should be the primary insurance covering damage, not the owner's--if only for the fact that owner's rates will go up with a claim that isn't his issue.
My experience with insurance at the business level is that Hagerty will happily take care of peterm's issue. Then, they will directly or indirectly through subrogation, go after the shop owner or his insurance company. I'm not a betting man but for those that are this is a safe one.
Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America
