Short answer
Garage liability covers third-party bodily injury and property damage that arises out of dealer operations. Garagekeepers covers physical damage to customers' vehicles while they're in your care, custody, or control. Most dealers need both.
What this means
Garage liability responds when the dealership is alleged to have caused injury or damage during normal operations — for example, a customer slip-and-fall on the lot or an accident during a test drive. It is the foundation of dealer liability protection.
Garagekeepers is different. It pays for damage to customer vehicles you're holding for service, storage, or any other reason — fire, theft, vandalism, or collision while parked or being moved. It can be written on a legal liability, direct primary, or direct excess basis, which changes when and how it pays.
- Garage liability — third-party bodily injury and property damage from dealer operations
- Garagekeepers — physical damage to customer vehicles in your care
- Coverage forms vary (legal liability, direct primary, direct excess)
- Limits, deductibles, and exclusions are set per policy and carrier
Nevada note
Nevada dealers should confirm that garage liability limits meet DMV minimums and that garagekeepers limits are sized to the typical value of customer vehicles on the lot.
Dealership insurance is offered for Nevada dealers. Coverage availability, eligibility, limits, and pricing depend on the carrier, underwriting, application details, endorsements, exclusions, and Nevada DMV licensing requirements. This information is educational and is not legal advice or a guarantee of coverage.
Next step
Book a free Nevada dealer coverage review to walk through garage liability, open lot, garagekeepers, workers' comp, umbrella, and your dealer bond together. For standard bonds you can also quote and purchase online.