Motorcycle Repair Shop Insurance

Overview — Motorcycle Repair Shop Insurance from Cochrane & Company

Cochrane & Company offers a specialized Motorcycle Repair Shop Insurance program designed for independent agents placing liability and related coverages for motorcycle repair, service and light customization businesses. This MGA-backed program provides flexible liability limits, garagekeepers options and several ancillary coverages to help your insureds manage the common risks of motorcycle service operations.

Ideal accounts and appetite

• Independent motorcycle repair shops, service centers and general motorcycle mechanics
• Shops that perform routine maintenance, diagnostics, part replacements, and limited customization (bolt-on accessories)
• Start-ups and new ventures are acceptable when owners or lead mechanics have relevant prior experience
• Shops that maintain reasonable lot security, key control procedures, and documented employee experience

Not appetible: shops that specialize in custom frame modification or heavy fabrication work (these are excluded).

Coverage highlights and advantages

• General liability limits up to $1,000,000 per occurrence with up to $3,000,000 aggregate available
• Garagekeepers legal liability — direct primary available when excellent security controls are in place
• Ability to schedule service vehicles used in the business (customer transport or pickup/drop-off vehicles)
• Optional coverages include broadened liability extensions, Related Operations Liability for incidental parts/accessory and clothing sales, and property coverage (building, contents, business income) available — property is placed on non-admitted paper only

Underwriting notes — what we need to quote

• Completed application specific to motorcycle repair operations
• Details on lot security and key control (fencing, lighting, CCTV, locked storage for customer bikes)
• Owner and mechanics’ experience and training history
• Description of customization or fabrication work performed (type, frequency, whether outsourced)

Underwriters place emphasis on physical security and documented experience for garagekeepers and direct primary placements. Heavy fabrication, major frame-altering work, and structural modifications are generally declined.

Territories, paper and minimums

This program is available in AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, WA and WY. Coverage is generally placed on non-admitted/surplus lines paper (no admitted paper available). Minimum premium and final placement terms vary by territory and account characteristics.

Example fits — when to consider this program

• You have a client who runs a two-bay motorcycle shop that does tune-ups, brake work, installs aftermarket parts and occasionally transports bikes with a covered service vehicle — this program can provide GL and garagekeepers with scheduled service vehicle coverage.
• You represent a small vintage motorcycle restoration shop that does limited bolt-on customization but no frame fabrication — with good security and experienced mechanics, the account may qualify for garagekeepers legal liability and related operations liability for parts sales.

Why place this business with Cochrane & Company

Cochrane & Company underwrites motorcycle repair exposures with a focus on pragmatic risk controls and flexible garagekeepers options. As an MGA, they can tailor placements with specialty endorsements and non-admitted paper where necessary, and they are experienced working with agents on submissions for niche mechanical shops. If your client’s operations fall within the program appetite and you can provide the requested loss control details, Cochrane can often provide competitive limits and optional coverages that standard package markets may not offer.

Quick reference — unacceptable operations

• Shops specializing in custom frame modification or heavy fabrication