Commercial garage liability?

[T. Cotten]

It's time once again for me to go shopping for insurance for my business.

It seems like a ritual every couple of years, as repeatedly I have been dropped for reasons like "We are no longer writing commercial policies" or "We are no longer writing within the State of Illinois", etc.

My current insurer has nearly starved me out of existance with endless delays after a large storm damage claim, my first claim in three decades of business.
My agent has dismissed me, as "too much trouble". I had spoke with him all of three or four times that year.
Other agents cannot find an underwriter because of the claim. You would think that a fresh modernized roof would be less exposure!

So I would like to ask those of you who are USA independent service shops: Who might I try?

Thanks to all in advance,


....Cotten

[Robert Luland]

Cotten,

Try checking out AIG - first off AIG owns over 200 insurance companies (AIG -American International Group). When no one else will write it usually they will. Hope this helps. I went through this seven years ago when one of my employees totaled out my van and hit two other cars and then took off. If they can't do it try Ohio Casualty Group....another pretty good company.
Bob

[T. Cotten]

Just thought I would bring this back up to the top again.

Bob!
AIG's closest agent to respond was in Washington DC; I'm south of Chicago.
That didn't inspire any confidence in AIG. Neither has the morning news lately.

Today's update:
My local agent's frantic search to find a new underwriter almost succeeded by the time my existing policy was cancelled.
But my agent made a tragic blunder and allowed my dog in the photo of my store front.

Seriously: The only prospective insurer withdrew their bid because of the dog.

The antique motorcycle industry is regulated by the unregulated insurance industry. If a shop is not a modern franchised dealer, it's outlaw to them.

...Cotten

[Chris Haynes]

It's time once again for me to go shopping for insurance for my business.

It seems like a ritual every couple of years, as repeatedly I have been dropped for reasons like "We are no longer writing commercial policies" or "We are no longer writing within the State of Illinois", etc.

My current insurer has nearly starved me out of existance with endless delays after a large storm damage claim, my first claim in three decades of business.
My agent has dismissed me, as "too much trouble". I had spoke with him all of three or four times that year.
Other agents cannot find an underwriter because of the claim. You would think that a fresh modernized roof would be less exposure!

So I would like to ask those of you who are USA independent service shops: Who might I try?

Thanks to all in advance,


....Cotten

Have you tried Universal Underwriters?

[T. Cotten]

Chris!

Universal Underwriters dropped me (or all of Illinois?) many years ago.
None of my local independent agents have brought them back up lately.....

My direct attempts to contact Zurich (who owns UU) only led me back to more not-so-local agents, none of which seemed to want to make an effort.

I have been paying monthly premiums that are equal to my annual real estate taxes, just to keep my state licensing.


....Cotten

[t-bone]

hey tom give me a call at bone-a-fide cycles