Insurance Issues

[Mat Mulholland]

I'm having some issue determining if my insurance agent is lying to me.

Maybe you fleet washers out there can point me in the right direction.

I recently nailed a semi large account rinsing cars at several dealerships. In order to fill out the paperwork needed to get paid, I have to give licenses and insurance.

I currently have 1 mil. in general liability for commercial pressure washing. Does this include my car rinsing? If it doesn't, then what do I need?

My broker tried giving me garage insurance, or something. BUT Im not even getting INSIDE of the car, much less driving it.

I just need a little help determining if Im covered or not. As far as the dealership is concerned, I'm covered. But according to my agent, if I hurt a car, Im not covered. What should I do?

[Mat Mulholland]

On a side note, I also need 4 different county licenses in Florida. Does anyone in Florida have a State wide license? If so, where did you get it.

[Deck Guy]

First, you should always read your policy for yourself.

Garagekeepers Insurance would generally cover a garage for damage done to a vehicle while it is in their "care, custody, and control." You won't have any of that if you are washing on their premisis and not moving the vehicles. That's more like for if an employee of a shop backs into a vehicle with another customers vehicle, or damage while towing.

Get a new insurance agent. Just tell your present one that if you need additional insurance, you'd be more comfortable with a policy from an agent who understands this business more clearly. I mean, if pressure washing insurance doesn't cover washing vehicles, what good is it? That is advice coming from a former insurance underwriter.

[Lightning Gene]

Here is something to ponder....If your employee used the wrong chemical in the wash to rinse the cars and ruins a paint job your liability insurance will not cover the damage unless you have the care, custody.and control coverage on your policy....

[A C F]

I had to pay more to get "care, custody or control" insurance added to my current policy, but I am not covered washing vehicles. I was able to get a piecemeal policy and choose what I wanted to be covered for. I [think I] saved money by not being insured for things I did not intend to do.

[jetstream1]

Still no luck yet.
Friday I will be having luch with Chris Ill talk to him and see what the deal is

[MMI Enterprises]

Interesting topic... seems real important to any washer working on anything really.
The way general liability was explained to me long time ago was that workmanship is not covered but that other items that could be effected by your work are. Like as if I ruin a floor or a carpet during cleaning through poor workmanship then I am not covered but if I happen to knock million dollar ming dynasty vase off the shelf during course of cleaning carpet then it is covered. Sounds crazy hu?

[Beth n Rod]

There is only one Insurance Agency who has gone to this effort on a national basis for the Power Wash Industry. It is: The Joseph D. Waters Agency , 2706 South Park Road, Bethel Park, PA 15102. Phone: 1-800-878-3808, Fax: 412-831-7498, email: joe@jwagency.com . They are licensed 45 states.

Beth

[Deck Guy]

Originally Posted by Lightning Gene

Here is something to ponder....If your employee used the wrong chemical in the wash to rinse the cars and ruins a paint job your liability insurance will not cover the damage unless you have the care, custody.and control coverage on your policy....

Liability policies are not meant to be guarantees of good workmanship.

[Mat Mulholland]

I've gone ahead and submitted my Accord form to the job with my 1mil liability. I think they will accept it. In the mean time my insurance guy is working on a price to cover just pressure washing the exterior of autos. He wanted to know what chemicals Im using and if I will use a brush on the cars.

I'm just rinsing. I may use a touch free wash twice a month. But who has the time to brush?

[dpaull]

I have jwalters...they're literally a few minutes down the road from me... I am covered washing fleets and cars and don't need garage keepers insurance unless I'm going to be driving the vehicles. Give them a ring, nice people.

[jon chapman]

I had the same problem here. the local guys really didnt know anything about the PW industry, and consequently how to write the policy. With Joe Walters, I have all the issues answered before I even ask the question. ANd the policy was cheaper. You really ought to check them out.
With out that Care, Custody and Control in your policy, you WILL be SOL if you damage a car while cleaning it.