pmsmith2032
New member
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!
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!
