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Posted

Hello ...... I'm new to this forum so bear with me lol

I've been in the automotive industry my entire life, working in retail environments, small family owned shops and a few large new car dealers. My wife and I are trying to open our own place and are currently in the middle of financial projections. Part of that is estimating our fixed and variable costs. We are in NH and I've been getting rough estimates for liability insurance for the business from a number of different Insurance companies. These estimates are all over the map! Anywhere from $900 a year to almost $6000! My question for the forum is ....... does anyone have a realistic idea of what this coverage should cost?

Thanks

Dve



Posted

Welcome. You need to read up on insurance and what coverage you are getting. You know Apples to apples, the carriers make it complicated so you can get stiffed in case of a claim. Zurich Insurance Group have been one of my best carriers. Pricing should be consistent on the amount of risk you are seeking to cover.

Posted

Zurich is good. I'm currently with Federated, who are equally good. 

Your garage keepers liability is going to be based on your sales or expected sales, and the value of the vehicles under your control. My garage keepers runs me about $850 a month, but yours should be considerably lower on a new shop with lower sales.

Posted

Unfortunately, getting insurance quotes from industry veterans might be a bit misleading.   You and I, as a startup operations, are inherently more risk to the insurer than these experienced operators.  As well, I've found that our options are more limited with some insurers flat-out saying no thanks (this happens at underwriting, not necessarily at quoting).   As a result, I've found a broker, with direct auto experience, that I trust who can match my needs with the market offerings.   For now, these lower rates are a fantasy, but a cost to be managed with time and reputation.   My broker indicated that 3 years of experience stops the teenage driving rates.   For your planning, plan on the high side.    Also, a semi-real quote seems to need 20 pages of Q&A along with driver's licenses, etc.   To get around this, my broker brought me blacked-out (names, addresses) quotes for a few similar sized businesses to review. 

I don't see this mentioned, but depending on whether buy or lease the building and the terms of your lease will also impact your insurance needs.   For instance, your landlord may impose additional insurance requirements on you.   This matters in how you make comparisons as well.

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

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      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.
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