Mobile Mechanic Insurance: What You Actually Need

A mobile mechanic needs general liability (you damage the customer's property or someone gets hurt), garage keepers (you damage the customer's car while it is in your care), and commercial auto on the truck or van. Tool coverage is cheap and worth it. Personal auto and a homeowner policy do not cover any of this.

Insurance is step three on the list

Business registration first, then the tax permit, then insurance. The setup checklist walks it in order.

See the setup checklist

The coverages, in plain words

General liability: you scratch the garage door, a jack stand goes through the driveway, a customer trips over your cord.

Garage keepers: the customer's car gets damaged while you are working on it or test driving it. This is the one most new techs skip and most need.

Commercial auto: your truck or van, used for work. A personal policy can deny a claim the moment they learn it is a work vehicle.

Inland marine or tool coverage: your tools, in the truck, when the truck gets broken into.

Workers comp: required in most states the day you hire someone.

What to tell the agent

Say "mobile automotive repair, I work at the customer's location, I test drive customer vehicles, I carry tools in my vehicle." If the agent does not know what garage keepers is, find a different agent. Ask for a commercial agent who writes auto shops.

Why it also makes you money

Fleet accounts, dealers and property managers will not hand you keys without a certificate of insurance. Being insured is the price of the customers who pay on time every month.

Run the whole job from your phone.

Repair Rocket writes the quote, gets the signature, sends the invoice and takes the payment. Free to start, no card needed.

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Mobile mechanics and small shops

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Common questions

Does a mobile mechanic need garage keepers insurance?

If you ever drive or work on a customer's car, yes. General liability alone usually excludes damage to the customer's vehicle in your care.

Will my personal auto insurance cover my work truck?

Usually not once they know it is used for business. Get a commercial auto policy or confirm business use in writing.

How much does mobile mechanic insurance cost?

It depends on your state, vehicle, tools and whether you have employees. Get two or three quotes from commercial agents who write auto repair shops.

Do I need insurance before my first job?

Yes. One dropped transmission or one hurt customer without coverage can end the business before it starts.