There are several types of business insurance you should consider if you are running a car wash or auto detailing business. They include:
Public liability insurance
Public liability insurance is essential for anyone who regularly has contact with the public and their property. In the case of a car washing business, auto detailers are trusted to look after cars worth tens of thousands of dollars daily, so this form of insurance is essential.
Public liability insurance will cover you against claims that your activity caused injury to a member of the public or damaged their property. This insurance can offer between $5 million and $20 million worth of cover. It’s compulsory for car washers in many jurisdictions to have such insurance before they’re permitted to operate.
What it covers:
- Third-party personal injury claims
- Damage to a third party’s property
- Legal fees to defend yourself
Business insurance
General business insurance describes a package that can include many different forms of insurance which are also valuable to a car wash business or auto detailer. These include the following types of insurance which can be packaged together in a bundle:
- Portable equipment insurance: covers you for the loss or damage to portable equipment such as pressure washers and vacuum cleaners.
- Glass breakage: this can cover not only the risk of your business premises being vandalised and windows broken, but also the risk of customers’ car windows being damaged or broken.
- Machinery breakdown: if you operate a static car wash, you may want to consider machinery breakdown insurance, which covers the cost of repair or replacement if specified machinery breaks down.
- Contents insurance: can cover a range of business equipment on your premises such as coin dispensing machines and coin-operated washing equipment.
- Building insurance: can cover your business premises such as your offices and forecourt.
What it covers
- Named events such as fire, theft, vandalism, storm and impact damage
- Cover for electronic, portable and mobile car wash equipment
- Limited business interruption insurance may be available
It’s also possible to choose the level of cover you require for your business equipment: either fully comprehensive, which covers you for all named events and accidental damage, or insured events only, which doesn’t include protection against accidental damage.
Personal accident and illness insurance
Since car cleaning and auto detailing is quite a physical occupation, you rely on your physical fitness to be able to do your job properly. Therefore, taking care of your health should be a high priority if you earn your living washing and detailing cars.
Accident and sickness insurance can provide cover for you if you become sick and are unable to work, with replacement income paid out if you are unable to work as a result of an accident or injury.
What it covers:
- Loss of income as a result of sickness, injury or accident
Optional extras can include:
- Death benefits
- Disablement benefits
- Payment of business expenses during your recovery period