Opening a small automotive business is a subject that has been discussed here before, but this is the first time I recall the specifics some of the administrative costs associated with running a shop being discussed.

Operating a business open to the public without liability insurance is shooting craps with your future. . When I was operating my small shop it was not at all unusual to have $100K+ worth of customers cars on the premises. Something like a fire would have put in debt for the rest of my life (or more likely bankruptcy) without insurance. The insurance prices quoted and very limited choices in carriers are about right.

You also start looking at how you do certain things anytime there is a potential liability issue. For instance, I refused to rebuild master cylinders, wheel cylinders or calipers on customers cars, even years latter there was always the potential for a law suit if the brakes failed (got to love all the lawyers who advertise on TV). I always felt it was better to have the manufacture/rebuilder fight the suit than me!!!! Should you ever be sued, keep on mind the only people who win are the lawyers, even if you win the case fees are going to be expensive without insurance.

Laws vary state to state but as has been pointed out most blanket waivers (often times pre-printed on invoices) are really worthless in most courts. One exception (in most cases) is a hand written waiver on the invoice explaining a specific unsafe condition you observe that the customer refuses to have repaired, and signed by the customer.