I was rinsing a 15-year-old Porsche Boxster. I got too close with the 40-degree tip. The pressurized water sliced right through the brittle fabric of the convertible top, creating a 3-inch gash. The replacement top is $3,500, plus labor. The owner is furious, claiming it was “mint condition” (it wasn’t).
Key Takeaways
- Age Matters: Insurance adjusters factor in Betterment. They won’t put a brand new $3,500 top on a 15-year-old car without asking the owner to pay the difference in value.
- Workmanship Exclusion: Using high pressure on fragile fabric is often cited as “Faulty Workmanship” or negligence, which General Liability excludes.
- Garage Keepers Coverage: This is your safety net, but only if you have “Direct Primary” coverage. If you have “Legal Liability,” you have to prove you were negligent (which you were, but it requires a legal fight).
- Pre-Inspection is Vital: If you didn’t document that the top was dry-rotted and stitching was fraying before you started, you bought the whole top.
The “Why” (The Trap): Betterment and Depreciation
Insurance puts the victim back in the position they were in before the loss.
Before the loss, the customer had a 15-year-old, sun-faded top worth maybe $500.
A brand new OEM top costs $3,500.
The insurer will apply Depreciation. They might cut a check for $500. The customer will demand you pay the other $3,000. This “Betterment” gap is where detailers get sued.
The Investigation: “I Called Them”
I simulated a soft-top claim.
1. Garage Keepers (Hagerty/Classic)
- Verdict: They understand classic cars. They might cover the full replacement if the car is insured for “Agreed Value.”
2. Standard Business Auto
- Verdict: They applied 70% depreciation. Offered $600.
- Result: Customer threatened to sue for the rest.
3. Upholstery Repair Specialist
- My Analysis: I found a shop that could patch/stitch the panel for $400. It wasn’t perfect, but it sealed the leak.
Comparison Table: Soft Top Solutions
| Solution | Cost | Customer Satisfaction |
| Patch/Repair | $300 – $500 | Low/Medium |
| Aftermarket Top | $1,200 | Medium |
| OEM Top (Dealer) | $4,000+ | High |
| Insurance Payout | Depreciated Value | Low (Gap exists) |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Do Not Tape It: Duct tape leaves residue. Use painter’s tape or a plastic sheet if it’s raining.
- File Garage Keepers Claim: This is a large loss. File it. Be honest: “The fabric failed under normal rinse pressure.” (Argue that the top was defective/aged, not your pressure).
- Find an Aftermarket Top: Robbins or Sierra tops are often $800 vs. Porsche’s $3,000. Negotiate with the customer to accept a high-quality aftermarket replacement.
- Waiver Update: Add: “We are not responsible for damage to convertible tops over 5 years old due to material fatigue.”
FAQ
Q: Can I use a pressure washer on soft tops?
A: Technically yes, from a distance. But in 2026, the industry standard is “low pressure rinse only” for fabric.
Q: Does the “Care, Custody, Control” exclusion apply?
A: Yes, which is why you need Garage Keepers. General Liability will deny this 100%.
[IMAGE: Photo of a convertible top with a clean slice mark from a pressure washer.]