Insurance Question

[pmsmith2032]

I have a couple questions concerning insurance that I am hoping someone can help me with. I have done quite a bit of reading on here concerning the topic but still not sure I have a good grasp. Here is my situation:

I am looking to start a small, part-time detailing business out of my house/garage. I have a full-time job so this would strictly be a supplemental business on nights and weekends. I have no experience in the detailing business, but I have detailed my own and other family member cars. I plan on offering very basic services (wash, clay bar, wax, interior cleaning and carpet cleaning). At least initially I don`t plan on an services involving buffers, repainting, dent repair, tinting etc. I would definitely prefer to keep this home-based (as opposed to mobile) as I feel more comfortable working at home and would be more able to spend time with my family.

I figured one of the first steps in starting such a business was to contact my insurance agent. He`s not really an agent, but rather shops the various companies and finds the best rates. We`ve been working with him for years and have been very happy with his work (and we trust him). Anyway, I emailed him the following:

"I am planning on starting a car detailing business. This will be a part-time business and will be done out of our garage. What kind of insurance do you recommend and what kind of price am I looking at?"

I`m not sure if I phrased this correctly, but he is now telling me the following:

"As for the detailing business we are running into some problems that we don`t think we can resolve with the various markets we have available. Erie was willing to write the home and business but only if the business was operated out of a detached structure on your property. I assumed you were doing this out of your attached garage. Please correct me if I`m wrong.
The problem the insurance carriers have is the difficulty (at times) differentiating between both business and personal liability and property at the time of a claim. In summary, we have companies that will insure your home, but not with the type of business you are proposing. We have companies that will insure the business but not when it`s operated out of an attached structure to the main home."

So basically he is telling me a home-based detailing business is not insurable. Does this seem correct? Am I asking for the wrong type of insurance? What other options do I have? Thanks in advance!

[Trouble]

I have insurance and I work from my home. Trying to get the right coverage is very frustrating/confusing and costly

[pmsmith2032]

I would think my agent would have been able to find a plan as he works with all the companies (State Farm, Travelers, Erie, etc).

[Trouble]

I would think my agent would have been able to find a plan as he works with all the companies (State Farm, Travelers, Erie, etc).

Mine is through Ohio Security Insurance Company. I believe they are a division of Liberty Mutual

[pmsmith2032]

From the way he explained it to me though, if I sign up with a different carrier for the business insurance, our primary personal insurance (Travelers) will no longer insurance.

[512detail]

so hypothetically if the business was operated outside of you attached garage, i.e. driveway, would that be acceptable to the companies?

From the way he explained it to me though, if I sign up with a different carrier for the business insurance, our primary personal insurance (Travelers) will no longer insurance.

i have spoken with several insurance companies and my personal one for vehicle/home and that never came up once

[pmsmith2032]

I believe so. Maybe I could just say I was performing all the work outside?

Also, I`ve read about garage keeper insurance....is this different than what he`s quoting do you think? What`s the difference?

[512detail]

I believe so. Maybe I could just say I was performing all the work outside?

Also, I`ve read about garage keeper insurance....is this different than what he`s quoting do you think? What`s the difference?

im not too sure about garage keeper insurance...my statement was just trying to provide a loophole to their rules

i am meeting with my insurance agent (farm bureau) friday at 4pm to discuss some of this exact stuff. i will let you know after then what he says. i`ve been with them for five plus years so I should be able to get some good info

[pmsmith2032]

Thanks 512detail!

[512detail]

Thanks 512detail!

no problem. its something ive been needing to do for a while anyways and now finally having enough steady business to justify said expense