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Gasoline Station Insurance Policy Information

Gasoline Station Insurance. Gas stations are normally limited to the dispensing of gasoline, kerosene, diesel or fuel oil with incidental sales of auto accessories and pre-packaged snack food items.

Larger gasoline stations may offer other services, such as auto repair, retail sales of food or auto parts, snack bar or restaurant, propane tank exchange, towing, or baths and overnight lodging facilities for truckers.

Given the fact that most residents operate at least one vehicle, gas is in high demand, which means that owning a gas station can be a very lucrative business investment. However, there are a lot of risks associated with owning and operating a gas station.

You've invested a lot into your business. One mishap and you could stand to lose everything, but by having the right gasoline station insurance coverage in place, you can protect your business, your employees, your customers, and even your personal assets.

Gasoline station insurance protects your filling station and convenience store from lawsuits with rates as low as $97/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.

Below are some answers to commonly asked gas station insurance questions:

• What Is Gas Station Insurance?
• How Much Does Gas Station Insurance Cost?
• Why Do Gas Stations Need Insurance?
• What Type Of Insurance Do Gas Stations Need?
• What Does Gasonline Station Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Gas Station And Convenience Store's Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposure is from slips and falls due to public access to the premises. Proper attention to housekeeping is required to prevent injuries due to spills. Floor coverings should be in good condition with no frayed or worn spots on carpet and no cracks or holes in flooring. Steps and uneven floor surfaces should be prominently marked. Sufficient exits must be provided and be well marked, with backup lighting systems in case of power failure.

If there are repair operations, customer waiting areas should be provided. Customers must not be permitted in the garage area. Parking lots and sidewalks need to be in good repair with snow and ice removed, and generally level and free of exposure to slips and falls. If the premises is open after dark, there must be adequate lighting and appropriate security for the area.

Customers may be injured during holdups. Cars in the parking lot awaiting repair present an attractive nuisance hazard. Chains may be required to prevent entrance after hours.

Products liability exposure from fueling operations is normally moderate due to the standards and controls in the grading and content of the products. If the station repairs vehicles, the exposure is higher due to the potential for an accident if the vehicle is not properly repaired. There should be a check off procedure in place prior to release of the vehicle to the customer to prevent its return with any vital functions not working properly.

Environmental impairment exposures are significant due to the storage of fuels and oils, and from the disposal of used oils, solvents and other hazardous wastes. Adequate procedures should be in place and must be followed to prevent any leakage or contamination. Both above- and below-ground tanks must be maintained and monitored regularly for leaks and spills. Contracts should be in place to dispose of all environmentally dangerous chemicals.

Workers compensation exposures come from holdups, lifting, slips and falls, and respiratory ailments. Brake turning, welding or other repair work must be handled with appropriate safety equipment, especially eye protection. Lifting of a vehicle by hoists, jacks, and other mechanical means can result in injury should the equipment malfunction. Hoists must be well maintained and procedures in place to prevent vehicles from falling.

Lifting by nonmechanical means could result in back injury, sprains, strains or hernias. If the shop sells batteries, leakage or spilling of battery acids can cause burns on contact with skin and respiratory problems when inhaled. Employees should be provided with safety equipment, trained on proper handling techniques, and have conveying devices available to assist with heavy lifting. Employees performing maintenance or repair work on customers' vehicles should be properly trained.

Holdups are a major concern, especially if the station is open 24 hours per day. All employees must be trained in safety procedures to protect themselves and the customers in case of robbery. Protective equipment such as bulletproof cages, surveillance cameras, panic buttons and guards may be needed.

Property exposure is primarily from fire and explosion in the dispensing of gasoline. All pumps and equipment should be well maintained, grounded, and operating properly. Smoking must be prohibited. Other flammables on premises may include lubricants, oils, degreasers, and solvents. These must be properly labeled, stored and separated. If there is a repair operation, welding needs to be evaluated for proper handling of the tanks and gases, as well as adequate separation from the other operations with either a separate room or flash/welding curtains.

Cooking surfaces should be protected if there is a snack bar or restaurant on premises. Propane tanks used in tank exchanges should be stored outside the building in a locked cabinet away from vehicle traffic areas.

Equipment breakdown exposure is high as the business is dependent on its machinery for conducting operations. Replacement parts may be difficult to obtain on a timely basis.

Crime exposures are from employee dishonesty and theft of money and securities either from holdup or safe burglary. Employee dishonesty is controlled through background checks, inventory monitoring, control of the cash register, disciplined controls and division of duties. Theft of money and securities prevention requires controls of monies kept in the cash drawers and bank drops made throughout the day to prevent a buildup of cash on the premises.

Gasoline stations are targets for holdups, and cashiers should be protected. Depending on the area, they may stay in a bulletproof enclosure. Security officers may be available for pickups, panic buttons may be in place, and other techniques may be used to help in curtailing crime.

Inland marine exposure comes from accounts receivable if the station offers credit to customers, computers used to monitor inventory and for automated gas pumps and diagnostic equipment, signs, and valuable papers and records for customers' and vendors' records. There may be goods in transit if there are multiple locations.

Commercial auto exposures are generally limited to the running of errands to pick up needed supplies. There may be a small fleet if there are multiple locations and the owner and managers travel between locations. All drivers should have an appropriate driver's license and their MVRs regularly checked. Towing presents a more serious exposure due to the potential for damage to the vehicles being towed. All tow drivers must be experienced in towing. Towing vehicles must be regularly checked, particularly the hoists and tow bars.

Garagekeepers exposure comes from damage that can occur to customers' vehicles if there is a repair shop or towing operation. Access to these vehicles should be prevented. Keys to customers' vehicles should be kept in a locked box, with proper identification required to prevent handing the customer's car to the wrong owner. Lots must be well lit and chains in place to prevent transport. Fences and other security may also be appropriate.

Largest Filling Station Chains In The USA

• Aloha Petroleum
• American Gas
• Amoco
• ARCO
• Billups
• BP
• Buc-ee's
• Byrne Dairy
• Casey's General Stores
• CENEX
• Chevron
• Circle K
• Citgo
• Clark Brands
• Conoco
• Costco brand gasoline
• Cumberland Farms
• Delta Sonic
• Exxon
• Etna
• Frontier
• Flying J
• Gant
• GasAmerica
• Gas City, Ltd.
• GasTrac
• Getty
• Go-Mart
• Gulf
• Hess
• High's Dairy Stores
• Holiday
• Irving Oil
• King Soopers
• Kroger brand gasoline
• Kum & Go
• Kwik Trip
• Kwik Fill
• Lassus Handy Dandy
• Love's
• Lukoil
• Marathon Oil
• Maverik
• McCoy Oil
• Meijer
• Mirabito
• Mobil
• Murphy USA
• Pemex
• Petro Canada
• Phillips 66
• Pilot
• QuickChek
• QuikTrip
• RaceTrac/Raceway
• Royal Farms
• Rutter's Farm Stores
• 7-Eleven brand gasoline
• 76
• Sam's Club
• Safeway
• Servco
• Sheetz
• Shell
• Sinclair
• Speedway
• Spinx
• Stewart's Shops
• Sunoco
• Tesoro
• Texaco
• Thorntons Inc.
• Travelcenters of America
• Travelers Oil
• Valero
• Wawa
• WilcoHess

What Does Gasonline Station Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Gas stations can be sued for a variety of reasons, including:

Slip and falls: If a customer slips and falls on the gas station premises, the gas station may be held liable for any injuries sustained by the customer. A gas station owner can purchase general liability insurance, which can cover legal expenses and damages in the event of a slip and fall lawsuit.

Environmental contamination: Gas stations can be sued for causing environmental contamination due to the storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous materials. A gas station owner can purchase environmental liability insurance, which can cover legal expenses and damages related to environmental contamination claims.

Fuel delivery accidents: Accidents can occur during fuel deliveries, and gas stations may be held liable for any resulting injuries or property damage. A gas station owner can purchase commercial auto insurance, which can cover legal expenses and damages resulting from fuel delivery accidents.

Negligent maintenance: If a gas station fails to maintain its premises or equipment and this leads to an accident, the gas station may be held liable. A gas station owner can purchase premises liability insurance, which can cover legal expenses and damages resulting from accidents caused by negligent maintenance.

Product liability: Gas stations may be sued if a product they sell, such as gasoline or automotive parts, is defective and causes harm to a customer. A gas station owner can purchase product liability insurance, which can cover legal expenses and damages resulting from claims related to defective products sold by the gas station.

In each of these cases, insurance can help pay for legal expenses, settlement or judgment costs, and any other related costs associated with a lawsuit. It's important for gas station owners to carefully consider their insurance coverage options to ensure that they are adequately protected from potential lawsuits.

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

• SIC CODE: 5541 Gasoline Service Stations, 7549 Automotive Services, Except Repair and Carwashes
• NAICS CODE: 447110 Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores, 447190 Other Gasoline Stations
• Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 8006 Grocery, Tea or Coffee Dealer - Retail, 8380 Automobile - Service or Repair Center & Drivers, 8381 Gasoline Station - Self-Service Only - Retail

5541: Gasoline Service Stations

Division G: Retail Trade | Major Group 55: Automotive Dealers And Gasoline Service Stations | Industry Group 554: Gasoline Service Stations

5541 Gasoline Service Stations: Gasoline service stations primarily engaged in selling gasoline and lubricating oils. These establishments frequently sell other merchandise, such as tires, batteries, and other automobile parts, or perform minor repair work. Gasoline stations combined with other activities, such as grocery stores, convenience stores, or carwashes, are classified according to the primary activity.

• Automobile service stations-retail
• Filling stations, gasoline-retail
• Gasoline and oil-retail
• Marine service stations-retail
• Service stations, gasoline-retail
• Truck stops-retailt

7549: Automotive Services, Except Repair and Carwashes

Division I: Services | Major Group 75: Automotive Repair, Services, And Parking | Industry Group 754: Automotive Services, Except Repair

7549 Automotive Services, Except Repair and Carwashes: Establishments primarily engaged in furnishing automotive services, except repair and carwashes. Establishments primarily providing automobile driving instructions are classified in Industry 8299.

• Auto emissions testing, without repairs
• Diagnostic centers, automotive
• Emissions testing service, automotive: without repair
• Garages, do-it-yourself
• Inspection service, automotive
• Lubricating service, automotive
• Road service, automotive
• Rust-proofing service, automotive
• Towing service, automotive
• Undercoating service, automotive
• Window tinting, automotive
• Wrecker service (towing), automotive

Gasoline Station Insurance - The Bottom Line

To make sure that your filling station and convenience store is properly protected, speak to an experienced insurance broker to find out exactly what type of gasoline station insurance coverage you need and how much coverage you should carry to protect your operations.

Additional Resources For Auto Service & Repair Insurance

Read useful small business auto service and repair insurance policy information. In an aotu related business, you need to have the right type of commercial insurance coverage so that your garage, employees, and customers vehices & other property is protected.

• Auto Dealers
• Auto Detailing & Mobile Car Wash
• Auto Dismantlers
• Auto Garage
• Auto Glass Repair Shops
• Auto Paint Shops
• Auto Service Repair
• Auto Supply Parts Store
• Car Rental
• Car Wash
• Gas Station
• Motorcycle Dealers
• Parking Lot
• RV Dealers
• Snowmobile Dealers
• Truck Rental
• Used Car Dealer

The auto service and repair industry is an essential part of the transportation sector, responsible for maintaining and repairing vehicles to keep them running smoothly and safely. However, this industry also comes with inherent risks and liabilities, which is why commercial insurance is necessary to protect both the business and its employees.

First and foremost, the auto service and repair industry deals with hazardous materials and equipment on a daily basis. There is a risk of accidents and injuries occurring in the workshop, and insurance can provide financial protection in the event of a workplace accident or injury.

Additionally, the auto service and repair industry is subject to the risk of property damage. There is a potential for damage to vehicles in the workshop, as well as damage to the business' own property, such as tools and equipment. Business insurance can cover the costs of repair or replacement in the event of such damage.

Furthermore, the auto service and repair industry is vulnerable to liability claims from customers. If a customer's vehicle is not repaired properly, it can result in further damage or accidents on the road, leading to liability claims against the business. Insurance can provide coverage for these types of claims, protecting the business from financial loss.

In conclusion, the auto service and repair industry needs commercial insurance to protect against the risks and liabilities inherent in this line of work. Without insurance, businesses in this industry would be vulnerable to financial loss and legal action, which could ultimately lead to their failure.

Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Building, Business Personal Property, Business Income, Equipment Breakdown, Employee Dishonesty, Money and Securities, Accounts Receivable, Computers, Signs, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Employee Benefits, Environmental Impairment, Underground Storage Tank Liability, Umbrella, Hired and Non-owned Auto & Workers Compensation.

Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Earthquake, Flood, Computer Fraud, Forgery, Goods in Transit, Cyber Liability, Employment-related Practices, Business Automobile Liability and Physical Damage, Garagekeepers and Stop Gap Liability.