Auto Repair Shop class codes

Automotive service spans a family of codes:

• Code 8380 — Automobile Service or Repair Center: the governing class for mechanical repair and service
• Body & paint operations: collision work with spray booths may rate separately in some states
• Code 8748 — Dealership Salespersons: sales staff at a dealership belong in their own low-rated code
• Code 8810 — Clerical: service writers and office staff often split to clerical or their own service-advisor treatment

Getting the class code right matters more in this industry than almost anything else on the policy. Misclassification is one of the most common reasons auto repair shops overpay — and one of the first things we check when we review an existing policy. Browse our class code guides for a deeper look at how rates attach to codes.

What drives workers’ comp claims for auto repair shops

Shop claims track the tools and the lift:

• Strains and overexertion — tires, transmissions, and awkward positions under vehicles
• Struck-by and caught-between — falling parts, rolling vehicles, and lift incidents carry the severity risk
• Lacerations and burns — sharp metal, grinders, hot engines, and exhaust
• Eye injuries — grinding and undercar debris make eye protection the cheapest claim prevention in the shop
• Chemical exposure — solvents, refrigerants, and battery acid

How much does workers’ comp cost for auto repair shops?

Mechanical repair shops generally price between roughly $2.50 and $6 per $100 of payroll depending on state and record. A four-tech shop with $280,000 in payroll typically lands between $7,000 and $17,000 a year — with lift-safety discipline and clean loss runs pulling shops toward the bottom of that range.

Because we quote auto repair shops across a dozen A-rated carriers — including specialists who actively want this class of business — the spread between the best and worst quote on the same account is often 20–40%. That spread is why comparison shopping matters more than any single discount.

Ways to lower your premium

• Pay-as-you-go billing — premium calculated from actual payroll each pay period, which fits the seasonal staffing patterns common in this industry
• Accurate class codes and payroll splits — clerical staff belongs in code 8810, not your governing class
• A documented safety program — carriers credit written procedures, training records, and a clean loss history
• Experience mod management — reporting claims promptly and closing them fast protects your mod at renewal
• Enforce lift inspection and vehicle-securement procedures — lift incidents are the severity events that wreck a shop’s mod for years

Auto Repair Shop workers’ comp FAQs

What class code is an auto repair shop?

Mechanical repair and service falls under NCCI code 8380 in most states. Body shops with paint operations, dealership sales staff, and clerical employees may carry separate codes on the same policy.

Does workers’ comp cover an injury from a car falling off a lift?

Yes — crush and caught-between injuries are covered, and they’re the severity events carriers underwrite hardest. Documented lift inspection and securement procedures both prevent them and improve your pricing.

How much is workers’ comp for a small auto shop?

Most mechanical shops price between about $2.50 and $6 per $100 of payroll. For a two-tech shop, annual premium often lands in the $4,000–$9,000 range — and comparing carriers matters, because appetite for 8380 varies widely.

More industries we insure

Retail Stores · Landscaping & Lawn Care · Technology Companies · all industries