Arkansas Garage Liability for Motor Vehicle Dealers

Arkansas requires a licensed used motor vehicle dealer to file a $25,000 corporate surety bond and liability insurance covering every vehicle offered for sale. The dealer statute ties the insurance amount to Arkansas motor vehicle financial-responsibility law, so have your agent confirm the filed limit and which inventory units are covered.

What Is Garage Liability Insurance?

Garage liability can address injury and property-damage claims from auto repair and related garage operations. If you run a repair or service shop, check separately whether customer cars in your care need garagekeepers coverage for vehicle damage. Read the national Garage liability guide.

Arkansas Garage Liability Insurance Requirements

RequirementDetails
Used-dealer inventory liabilityProof of liability insurance on all vehicles offered for sale at no less than the state motor-vehicle minimum 2
Dealer bond$25,000 corporate surety bond; multiple locations may use a $100,000 aggregate bond 2

What Should You Watch for With Garage Liability Insurance in Arkansas?

  • Cover Every Unit Offered for Sale

    Arkansas requires proof of liability insurance on all vehicles offered for sale as part of the used-dealer license application. Ask how the garage policy treats owned stock, consigned vehicles, vehicles away from the lot, and test drives. 2

  • The Dealer Bond Does Not Insure the Cars

    Arkansas’s $25,000 bond responds to specified buyer losses after a court judgment; it is a separate licensing security, not collision or comprehensive coverage for inventory. Ask for the liability policy and the bond as separate documents. 2

  • Report Changes Through the State Police Dealer Process

    Arkansas State Police provides separate bond or insurance update forms for primary and satellite dealerships. If you change the dealership name, location, insurer, or inventory arrangement, confirm the license record and insurance evidence are updated together. 1

Which Garage Liability Providers Have Arkansas License Records?

No provider in our research has both a state license record and a listing for this coverage line. This does not establish that providers are unlicensed. Check the regulator’s license lookup and confirm availability with a provider when requesting a quote.

Who Regulates Insurance in Arkansas?

Arkansas Insurance Department

The Arkansas Insurance Department licenses resident and nonresident producers and business entities, accepts insurance complaints, and provides links to company and producer license searches. It operates as a division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce. 3,4,8,5

Surplus-Lines Tax and Stamping Office in Arkansas

Reported tax rate. 4% when Arkansas is the insured's home state 6,7,9

Arkansas's broker filing instructions set a 4% surplus-lines tax. Federal law assigns nonadmitted-insurance regulation and tax to the insured’s home state; for a multistate policy, ask your broker to show the home state and the premium allocation used for the Arkansas filing. Arkansas law requires the contract to disclose that the state's property-and-casualty guaranty protection does not apply.

Questions to Ask Before You Buy Garage Liability in Arkansas

  1. Does the policy provide liability coverage on every vehicle we offer for sale, including units at any satellite location?
  2. Is the $25,000 buyer-protection bond separate from our garage liability and inventory physical-damage coverage?
  3. Who will file the updated bond or insurance form with Arkansas State Police if our dealership details change?

Garage Liability Insurance in Arkansas: Frequently Asked Questions

Does Arkansas require insurance on a used dealer’s inventory?

Yes. The license application requires proof of liability insurance on all vehicles offered for sale, at least the amount required by the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act. 2

What bond does Arkansas require for a used vehicle dealer?

At least $25,000 in corporate surety, with a $100,000 aggregate bond option for multiple licensed locations. The bond protects against specified buyer losses; it is not inventory insurance. 2

Garage Liability Insurance Guides for Other States

Other coverage in ArkansasEvery coverage guide for Arkansas, plus the regulator and surplus-lines details.

Updated .

This guide is informational and does not determine whether a policy is available or meets your needs. Editorial policy. To suggest a correction, contact Spot with a supporting source.

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