Insurance requirement? For 2 post lift

[Fastfish]

Have a 24x24 barn that was for horses for the last 12 years. Now it is time to make it a garage. It has 13 foot ceiling that was planned to put a car lift in eventually.... Now shopping for a 2 post. Question: Is there any need to inform/change my home owners insurance when installing an automotive lift? Thank you

 

[Rookie2]

I would inquire. My Ins. Co. told me I need a garage owners policy to work on vehicles in my garage for income/money. At that time i didn't ask about my lift.

 

[ScaldedDog]

I didnt. It's just a tool.

Mark

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[shopnut]

I remember when I first built my place and insured it, the insurance man asked me if there was a lift in it. At the time I didn't have one and that's what I told him. I'm guessing there was going to be some difference in the policy .

I'm just now finally installing my lift, so I guess I better call them.

 

[TheOtherGoose]

I'll try not to be long-winded, but I figured I may be able to help a little.

I would advise you to review your current homeowners policy - specifically the policy's named perils and policy exclusions with regards to liability. Remember that the an insurance policy is a legal document and that every word in it has meaning. Most insurance underwriters will assume that the home owner will use the garage to do basic car repairs and price accordingly. Insurers usually won't want to cover something like a lift without more premium to cover the additional liability.

When you review your (I assume standard) homeowners policy, you'll probably see something that excludes liability coverage for something like a lift. The wording that excludes the lift won't mention one specifically, but it will probably be excluded anyways.

Hope this helps...

 

[rlitman]

When you review your (I assume standard) homeowners policy, you'll probably see something that excludes liability coverage for something like a lift. The wording that excludes the lift won't mention one specifically, but it will probably be excluded

My policy does not exclude one. There is a specific exclusion for trampolines, and another for pools, but nothing regarding a lift or anything at all about work in a garage. Now if I was doing work for hire, I'm sure they'd figure out a way to cancel me, but a lift is not necessarily a bad thing.

If you do decide to have a chat with your insurance company, be sure to do it anonymously. Feel free to talk with your broker, if he/she is truly independent.

BTW, lots of people install lifts to store cars, and not necessarily to work on them. There's no special liability in that, that homeowner's insurance policy would care about.

 

[deathguyQC]

One thing to consider, if your lift is worth 2000-4000$ or wathever you end up paying for it, in the event of a complete loss, like a fire that destroy your house and garage, do you have enough coverage for what the insurance will give you to cover all your belongings including the lift? Will the insurance agree to give you the money to replace your lift? You need to determine the value of everything you have and what is the maximum the insurance will be paying you in case of lost.

An insurance company might see a lift as a greater hazard to property damage or personnal injury in the event of a failure I assume. If a car falls of the lift (either accidentally or due to nature (earth quake, etc.)), will the insurance pay for the damages done to the car?

Even if it's for home use only, their are still some potentially expensive liabilities you might not be confortable to go on without proper insurance.

 

[sberry]

One of the pitches we threw out at start is it would increase safety, they gobble that stuff up,,, hahahahaha

 

[tdkkart]

One of the pitches we threw out at start is it would increase safety, they gobble that stuff up,,, hahahahaha

Bingo. When was the last time you heard of someone dieing from a car falling off a lift?? IMO, lifts, especially 4 post lifts, are infinitely safer than jacks and jackstands.

 

[deathguyQC]

I didn't say what I said about someone actually dying, but **** happens (earthquakes, tornados, etc.) and I would expect most of the times insurance wouldn't mind if it's for home use only.

 

[9C1]

One thing to consider, if your lift is worth 2000-4000$ or wathever you end up paying for it, in the event of a complete loss, like a fire that destroy your house and garage, do you have enough coverage for what the insurance will give you to cover all your belongings including the lift? Will the insurance agree to give you the money to replace your lift? You need to determine the value of everything you have and what is the maximum the insurance will be paying you in case of lost.

An insurance company might see a lift as a greater hazard to property damage or personnal injury in the event of a failure I assume. If a car falls of the lift (either accidentally or due to nature (earth quake, etc.)), will the insurance pay for the damages done to the car?

Even if it's for home use only, their are still some potentially expensive liabilities you might not be confortable to go on without proper insurance.

The comprehensive portion of the automobile insurance will cover a car falling off a lift. Been there done that.
Terry