Question Hal,
Recently some carriers has transitioned into using an endorsed GL form vs. a Garage form for insuring their garage risks. Can you tell me any potential gaps in coverage (based on ISO forms) that may exist by using the General Liability form vs. the Garage form?
Answer Erica,
One carrier's garage program will need to be compared and contrasted with another carrier's program. This discussion would be somewhat simpler if all carriers used the same ISO forms and/or common endorsements to structure their package policies. Such is not the case.
Having said that, the carriers I am familiar with have moved away from the Garage Policy in favor of issuing coverage for repair facilities by pairing a BOP (for property, premises/products/completed operations liability coverage, etc.) with a Commercial Auto form (Hired and Non-owned Auto Liability coverage) and a Garagekeepers Liability form.
For accounts structured in this manner, I have not uncovered any coverage gaps - yet. It requires a continual review of ISO form changes and carrier endorsements to stay out of an E&O action. Changes and endorsements typically take away coverage, so this year's program may not reveal any coverage gaps, but there's always next year.
