It depends on which form applies and who was driving. Test drives usually fall under your auto coverage rather than garage keepers, and coverage can differ between an employee and a customer at the wheel. This is worth confirming in writing before an incident, not after.

Very likely. New York applies its own test for employment status, and misclassifying mechanics is one of the most common findings in a workers’ compensation audit. Getting this wrong can mean back premium, penalties, and an uninsured injury claim at the same time.

Garage liability covers injury and damage arising from your operations. Garage keepers covers damage to customers’ vehicles in your possession. Most shops need both, and having one does not imply you have the other. Ask us to confirm which forms are actually on your policy.

Usually yes. Waste oil, antifreeze, solvents and refrigerant all count as pollutants, and standard general liability excludes pollution regardless of how routine the work is. Shops are most often surprised by this after a disposal or storage issue, not a dramatic spill.

No. General liability specifically excludes property in your care, custody or control, which is exactly what a customer’s vehicle is once it’s on your lot. That gap is what garage keepers coverage fills, and it’s the single most common uninsured loss in this trade.