Insurance

[guitarman502]

For you professional detailers... do you carry just General Liability or General Liability AND Garage Keepers Insurance? I'm putting together a business plan to see if it is going to be worthwhile to start up a mobile detailing business. Thanks!

[Bunky]

Re: Insurance

You should carry liability insurance. Things happen (it does not have to be your fault) and there are too many people ready to sue. This applies to everyone (personal, professional) as well. For example, you can a general liability policy that overlays your home and car policies if you use the same carrier for all.

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Insurance

For you professional detailers... do you carry just General Liability or General Liability AND Garage Keepers Insurance? I'm putting together a business plan to see if it is going to be worthwhile to start up a mobile detailing business. Thanks!

You should seek an insurance agent (or several)

[3Fitty]

Re: Insurance

Look into a personal umbrella policy that will cover your business. I carry a personal umbrella of 2 million dollars which supplements my homeowners and auto and it costs less than $200 per year.

Some umbrella's will cover you, depending upon the company.

Also, if you have people working for you, make sure you become familiar with the worker's comp. laws and requirements for insurance.

[guitarman502]

Re: Insurance

well I would be the only one working... i'm just trying to get all of my "ducks in a row" to see if starting a business is going to be affordable. I'm only 22, and it won't be my primary job... but I want to advertise and be legal.

[Bunky]

Re: Insurance

Insurance is just not about being legal. It is about protecting your assets in case if you are sued. You could be cleaned out financially (if you had any property) and your wages from your other job garnished. It is not like you have nothing to lose. If you have to declare bankruptcy, it will affect you for some time.

[mirrorfinishman]

Re: Insurance

Brett,

There are a lot of things to consider about starting your own detailing business and unless you are planning on messing up the vehicles you intend to work on, insurance should be the least of your worries.

[3Fitty]

Re: Insurance

Insurance is just not about being legal.

That is not exactly true. *Most* states require some type of workers compensation insurance (even if a sole practitioner). Of course, this become more important if you have employees, because in places like NY and NJ, you become subject to treble damages if you do not carry it.

[3Fitty]

Re: Insurance

Brett,

There are a lot of things to consider about starting your own detailing business and unless you are planning on messing up the vehicles you intend to work on, insurance should be the least of your worries.

But stuff happens all the time. Nobody buys auto insurance thinking they'll be driving lousy, it is for piece of mind [in part]. Same with opening a business...

Who knows, you might have a "slip" of the rotary one day and damage something. I would guess the cost would be negligible and therefore worth it.

[Bunky]

Re: Insurance

That is not exactly true. *Most* states require some type of workers compensation insurance (even if a sole practitioner). Of course, this become more important if you have employees, because in places like NY and NJ, you become subject to treble damages if you do not carry it.

My point was even if there was not a legal requirement, there are good reasons to have insurance. And if even if it is legally required. it can make senses to have more than legal minimums.

In a litigation happy society, it can come in handy.

[houndlover]

Re: Insurance

Brett,

There are a lot of things to consider about starting your own detailing business and unless you are planning on messing up the vehicles you intend to work on, insurance should be the least of your worries.

HUH? I would disagree that insurance is the "least of your worries". One of the primary concerns when setting up any business should be protecting yourself, your employees, and your customers.

You need general liability, as well as garage keepers. General liability covers accidents, such as the car owner tripping over your buffer cord, and taking a nasty fall. Garage keepers covers the car itself, for instance if you back in to something when moving it around your garage or the customer's driveway, or if you damage a panel with the buffer. Most mobile detailers I know carry 1 or 2 million in liability, and $50K or less in garage keepers.

One other point about having insurance is that it serves as a goo advertising tool. People have more faith turning over their baby to a detailer that is insured.

[mirrorfinishman]

Re: Insurance

But stuff happens all the time. Nobody buys auto insurance thinking they'll be driving lousy, it is for piece of mind [in part]. Same with opening a business...

Who knows, you might have a "slip" of the rotary one day and damage something. I would guess the cost would be negligible and therefore worth it.

Who are you?

What is the name of your detailing business?

How long have you been in business?

[mirrorfinishman]

Re: Insurance

HUH? I would disagree that insurance is the "least of your worries". One of the primary concerns when setting up any business should be protecting yourself, your employees, and your customers.

You need general liability, as well as garage keepers. General liability covers accidents, such as the car owner tripping over your buffer cord, and taking a nasty fall. Garage keepers covers the car itself, for instance if you back in to something when moving it around your garage or the customer's driveway, or if you damage a panel with the buffer. Most mobile detailers I know carry 1 or 2 million in liability, and $50K or less in garage keepers.

One other point about having insurance is that it serves as a goo advertising tool. People have more faith turning over their baby to a detailer that is insured.

Who are you?

What is the name of your detailing business?

How long have you been in business?

[houndlover]

Re: Insurance

Who are you?

What is the name of your detailing business?

How long have you been in business?

That seems to be a fairly immature and irrelevant response (not to mention condescending). The point here is whether or not insurance is an important part of a detailing business - not whether my name is Joe, Fred, Bob, or Sam. As to how long someone has been in business, I would also like to point out that MacDonald's has been in business for a long time, but many in the culinary world would probably say that doesn't mean they make the best hamburger. **I know nothing about your work, so I am not saying your work is/isn't the best, just making the analogy.

I have a friend that is a mobile detailer. His trailer was broken into, and a lot of his equipment was stolen. He was told by his agent that if it weren't for the insurance coverage he had for his business, he would not have been covered.

A person takes a huge risk when servicing the public and not carrying insurance. That's just the society we live in. Again, accidents happen.

[3Fitty]

Re: Insurance

Who are you?

What is the name of your detailing business?

How long have you been in business?

My screen name is 3Fitty, for my real name, I'll have to put you on the clock.

The name of my detailing business is:

"Detail when the wife permits detailing co.".

I've been in business (married) for 5 years. Prior to that my business was called:

"Single guy detailing for pleasure Co.". I worked for 13 years under this banner.

I assume your response has to do with "how I'm qualified to answer the question". To which I respond as follows:

In my "real life" I am an attorney. I deal with insurance or insurance related issues daily. I've argued and written appeals on insurance issues which have impacted the life of everyone in New York State. If you would like, I can send you the cases which have made law, by PM (however, I'll be on the clock for such work).

I would imagine that *many* prospective business owners go consult an attorney prior to establishing their business. As such, I think I'm qualified.

Satisfied?