Good Question...
- Thread starter HollaGeo
- Start date
rollman
Professional Detailer
Theres a ton of guys out there doing exactly what your thinking of doing that don't have insurance . The big question is can you afford to fix whatever you may or may not break or ruin? Best of luck to you on what ever you decide :buffing:
Superior Shine
New member
How about this, I just had my 2 million dollar insurance policy canceled because we detail "exotic " vehicles.
I asked the insurance agency how they define an exotic and he said any vehicle valued at $60,000 or more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go figure.
I asked the insurance agency how they define an exotic and he said any vehicle valued at $60,000 or more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go figure.
Superior Fine said:
Insurance is great in theory, but if you try to actually use it...
All this anniversary of Katrina stuff, and things that keep happening in the industry just lead me to question why I have insurance on anything. They have to pay up and instead just back out. It's crazy.
imported_mirrorfinishman
New member
HollaGeo said:
No, in many cases you do not need insurance to start a small detailing business.
Hey, plenty of young children open up lemonade stands every summer. Does anyone really think they need to have insurance? Do your homework and you will quickly learn that most small businesses actually start out on a shoestring budget. Actually, many small businesses really start out as nothing more than a hobby that through hard work and knowledge turned into a thriving profitable business.
The key when you are first starting is to somehow figure out how you intend to minimize your risks. Just the thought of using a machine to buff out the paint on an expensive vehicle is something to think about. Keeping the process as simple as possible is always a good mindset.
imported_paradigm
New member
i minimize risks by the following:
--NEVER driving the vehicles except to pull in/out of my garage.
--vehicles are kept IN my garage at night...and i do not leave it unattended outside (in case of theft, hail damage...ANYTHING)
--be up front w/ the customer...they know it is a side job/hobby and not a business
--i do not try to go overboard on SMR/corrections and choose a "good enough" approach rather than digging into the paint w/ a cutting pad on speed 945834734764 w/ the PC hoping to get that last scratch out
the only thing i am concerned w/ is being sued by some crazy person...i can live with my own mistakes and having to pay for them.
example: you accidentally drive through a puddle of tire dressing with the car that coats the tire(s) with the slippery goo. the customer leaves and smashes into something due to no braking ability...they then come after you because the goo was put on there by your mistake.
--NEVER driving the vehicles except to pull in/out of my garage.
--vehicles are kept IN my garage at night...and i do not leave it unattended outside (in case of theft, hail damage...ANYTHING)
--be up front w/ the customer...they know it is a side job/hobby and not a business
--i do not try to go overboard on SMR/corrections and choose a "good enough" approach rather than digging into the paint w/ a cutting pad on speed 945834734764 w/ the PC hoping to get that last scratch out
the only thing i am concerned w/ is being sued by some crazy person...i can live with my own mistakes and having to pay for them.
example: you accidentally drive through a puddle of tire dressing with the car that coats the tire(s) with the slippery goo. the customer leaves and smashes into something due to no braking ability...they then come after you because the goo was put on there by your mistake.
imported_mirrorfinishman
New member
paradigm,
Another good way to minimize risks is to be selective in choosing the people you want to work for. There is no point in taking on everything that comes along. It is always a good idea to choose both your customers and the vehicles they want you to work on, very carefully.
Another good way to minimize risks is to be selective in choosing the people you want to work for. There is no point in taking on everything that comes along. It is always a good idea to choose both your customers and the vehicles they want you to work on, very carefully.
imported_paradigm
New member
mirrorfinishman- yes, i agree 100%. i only do work for friends and people they know...and inspect the vehicle (and the owner...personality, attitude, etc) first.
HollaGeo- i don't know for sure, but i imagine there is no rule against advertising w/out insurance...but others here will know much more than i do about that.
HollaGeo- i don't know for sure, but i imagine there is no rule against advertising w/out insurance...but others here will know much more than i do about that.
imported_chpsk8
New member
HollaGeo said:
Check your local laws. I would doubt there is any issues with not having insureance. You may want to start looking at forming an LLC to lessen the risk to your personal assets. Judging from you post about buying a Waxmaster 3000 as your first tool I think you may want to spend the next couple weeks just reading all the posts here and asking yourself "can I really do this well enough to charge people?" and "am I professional enough and have enough skills to do the job, or should I just stick to my own stuff for now and maybe work a year or so under someone else until I really understand this business"... just a though :waxing:
Good advice from chpsk8. I worked for BMW and Mazda in SoCAl several years ago as a detailer, and learned a few things. I formed my company in May, but spent the summer working for another detailer who is in the same market as I am. We are direct competitors, but friends as well. I learned quite a bit from him, even though I thought I knew a lot before I got started.
Bottom line is that I got paid for my valuable lessons.
My business is JUST NOW starting to take off. Remember, most businesses do not turn a profit in the first two years. A lot of this has to do with all the purchases you have to make. I have just finished buying every piece of quipment and all chemicals I need to perform just about any task, but it took something like $5000 to get here, not including the monthly insurance and payments for the Grand Cherokee I bought for my business. So far, my grosss income is just less than $1000.
Bottom line is that I got paid for my valuable lessons.
My business is JUST NOW starting to take off. Remember, most businesses do not turn a profit in the first two years. A lot of this has to do with all the purchases you have to make. I have just finished buying every piece of quipment and all chemicals I need to perform just about any task, but it took something like $5000 to get here, not including the monthly insurance and payments for the Grand Cherokee I bought for my business. So far, my grosss income is just less than $1000.
Envious Eric
New member
I operate with no insurance at the moment....but I also only do work for people I know and their friends....if I start to get a bunch of hot rods, exotics, classic cars, then i will think twice about doing it with no insurance....but....
at the same time, how often would I use it....i mean, i work alone, or with a good friend of mine, so there is no real chance of either of us getting hurt, and i am not going to be stupid enough to work too long wiht a pc in one spot to burn through the paint....but like I said, when the more expensive jobs start rolling in....I'll think twice about it
at the same time, how often would I use it....i mean, i work alone, or with a good friend of mine, so there is no real chance of either of us getting hurt, and i am not going to be stupid enough to work too long wiht a pc in one spot to burn through the paint....but like I said, when the more expensive jobs start rolling in....I'll think twice about it
derek37
New member
toyotaguy said:
very unlikely you'll burn thru paint with a pc;doesn't generate enough heat.
Not saying it's impossible just not probable.
Don't forget that insurance really is only to keep you from getting sued. If you paid for damages with a high-interest credit card, you would still spend much less money than what the insurance co. will jack you for.
And that's IF the SOB's will even cover the damages! Look what happened to Superior Shine recently. He's lucky in some sense that he found out before he actually needed his coverage.
I have a very, very low opinion of bankers and insurers. Don't get me started- I will fill an entire thread with rants!
And that's IF the SOB's will even cover the damages! Look what happened to Superior Shine recently. He's lucky in some sense that he found out before he actually needed his coverage.
I have a very, very low opinion of bankers and insurers. Don't get me started- I will fill an entire thread with rants!