I was steam cleaning a perforated leather seat on a Range Rover. I held the nozzle in one spot for too long. The leather shrank and hardened, looking like a raisin. The customer wants the seat cover replaced ($2,500). I called my insurance, but they said, “We don’t pay for you doing a bad job.”
Key Takeaways
- The “Your Work” Exclusion: General Liability policies specifically exclude “Property Damage to ‘Your Work’ arising out of it.” Because you were hired to work on the seat, damaging it is a workmanship error, not an accident.
- Garage Keepers is the Fix: A robust Garage Keepers policy might cover this if it includes “Comprehensive” risks, but even then, “Faulty Work” is a common exclusion.
- Workmanship Endorsement: You specifically need an endorsement called “Faulty Workmanship” or “Broadened Garage Liability.” Without this rider, poor technique is uninsurable.
- Repair vs. Replace: In 2026, interior repair specialists (using fillers/dyes) can often fix heat shrinkage for $300, avoiding the $2,500 replacement claim.
The “Why” (The Trap): Negligence vs. Accident
Insurance covers accidents (dropping a bucket).
It rarely covers incompetence (using a tool incorrectly).
The “Faulty Workmanship” exclusion is designed to prevent you from using insurance as a warranty program. If they paid every time a detailer burned leather or swirled paint, they’d go broke. They expect you to know how to use a steamer.
The Investigation: “I Called Them”
I tested the “Melted Seat” claim.
1. The Budget Policy (Geico Commercial)
- Result: Denied. “Damage caused by the process of cleaning is excluded.”
2. The Detailer Specialist (Detailers Insurance / Veracity)
- Result: They offer a “Workmanship Error” rider.
- Limit: Usually low (e.g., $5,000).
- Deductible: Often higher ($500).
- Verdict: This is the only way to get paid for this.
3. Repair Network
- My Analysis: I called a “Fibrenew” franchise. They quoted $250 to re-stretch and dye the leather. Paying cash was cheaper than the insurance deductible.
Comparison Table: Interior Damage
| Scenario | Standard GL | Garage Keepers | Workmanship Rider |
| Spilled Coffee on Seat | Denied (CCC) | Covered | Covered |
| Melted Leather (Steamer) | Denied (Workmanship) | Denied (Usually) | Covered |
| Tore Leather with Tool | Denied | Covered | Covered |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Stop Steaming: Heat makes it worse. Let it cool naturally.
- Call a Leather Specialist: Do not go to the dealership yet. Call a mobile leather repair tech. They work miracles with heat guns and fillers.
- Check Your Endorsements: Look for “Faulty Workmanship” on your policy. If you don’t have it, you are likely paying out of pocket.
- Offer a Refund + Repair: Refund the detail cost and pay the repair tech. It keeps the claim off your record.
FAQ
Q: Can I paint over the damage?
A: Leather dye hides discoloration, but it won’t fix the “shrunken” texture. You need to stretch the leather or replace the panel.
Q: Is headliner sagging covered?
A: (See Article 10) – almost never. That is glue failure/age.
[IMAGE: Close-up photo of shriveled leather on a car seat caused by heat.]