CO - Garage Risk - Auto Repair Shop - Test Drive Liability Gap

Posted 2026-03-25

Hey all - need some real-world carrier direction on a garage risk in Colorado. Client is an auto repair shop (no sales). They perform repairs, test drive vehicles on a frontage road/freeway after repairs. Employees are driving customer vehicles (non-owned autos). Here's the issue: GL = auto exclusion (no help). Garage keepers = only covers the customer's car, not liability to others. Progressive + GEICO = both declined for this exposure. So right now, we've got a clear gap for liability when employees are driving customer vehicles on public roads. Looking for: Carriers comfortable with non-owned auto exposure for repair shops willing to cover road testing (including freeway use). Ideally commercial auto with Symbol 9 (or garage form that properly contemplates this). Questions for the group: Who are you placing this with right now (admitted or E&S)? Any carriers specifically good with auto service + test drive exposure? Feels like a super common exposure but weirdly hard to place cleanly.

Carriers Mentioned

Acuity GEICO Liberty Mutual Progressive Travelers Westfield Auto-Owners

States

Colorado Texas Wyoming

Risk Types

garage liability, auto repair, commercial auto, auto repair, garage liability

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