Buy Used Car Dealer Insurance

Used Car Dealer Insurance Policy Information

Used Car Dealer Insurance. Selling pre-owned vehicles can prove to be a lucrative venture. However, as the owner and operator of a used car dealership, you are financially responsible for any issues that may arise.

To protect yourself from significant losses, investing in the right type of used car dealer insurance is an absolute must.

Used automobile dealers sell used vehicles accepted as trade-ins from customers or purchased from automobile auctions. They often provide financing and insurance for vehicle purchasers.

Some sell auto parts and accessories, provide auto repair facilities, body shops, and offer vehicle rental and leasing. Most vehicles are stored in open lots.

Why is insurance important for used car dealers? What type of insurance do you need? Below, you'll find the answers to these questions so that you can make sure you're properly protected.

Used car dealer insurance protects your dealership from lawsuits with rates as low as $77/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.

Below are some answers to commonly asked used car lot insurance questions:

• What Is Used Car Dealer Insurance?
• How Much Does Used Car Dealer Insurance Cost?
• Why Do Used Car Dealerships Need Insurance?
• What Type Of Insurance Do Used Car Dealers Need?
• What Does Used Car Dealer Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Used Car Dealerships Risks & Exposures

Commercial automobile exposure is high if employees regularly drive a furnished vehicle and if customers are permitted to test drive vehicles. All employee drivers should have valid licenses with their MVRs regularly checked. All vehicles must be regularly maintained with records retained. There should be written procedures for personal and permissive use of vehicles furnished to employees.

For test drives, there must be set procedures, such as salespersons accompanying the customers. In order to prevent the conversion of the vehicles, driver's licenses and other forms of identification should be verified in advance of the customer removing the vehicle from the premises.

Towing presents a more serious exposure due to the potential for damage to the vehicles towed. All tow truck drivers must be experienced. Towing vehicles must be regularly checked, in particular, the hoists and tow bars.

If vehicles are rented to customers, the dealer should keep a copy of the renter's driver's license and proof of insurance. The rental contract should identify all drivers and state that unlisted, unlicensed, or minor drivers are not permitted to operate the vehicle. It should also include a hold-harmless agreement in which renters agree to assume responsibility for the operation of the vehicle to limit the business's exposure to vicarious liability only.

If a collision damage waiver is offered, the customer's signature is needed to document whether this was purchased or declined. The customer should also be required to sign a pre-inspection form to minimize disputes when the vehicle is returned with damages.

Garagekeepers exposure is from damage that can occur to customers' vehicles left with the dealership for servicing or repairs. Keys to customers' vehicles should be kept in a locked box to prevent unauthorized use. Proper identification should be required to prevent handing a customer's car to the wrong owner.

Auto dealers liability exposure is high due to the number of visitors. To prevent slips and falls if there is a showroom, the floor coverings should be in good condition with no frayed or worn spots on the 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. Waiting areas should be provided for customers whose vehicles are being repaired.

Customers should not be permitted access to the service 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 should be adequate lighting and appropriate security for the area. There should be a disaster plan in place for unexpected emergencies. Vehicles in open lots can pose an attractive nuisance. Chains and fences should be in place to prevent entrance to the dealership after hours.

Personal injury exposures include allegations of discrimination, false arrest or detention, unauthorized or intrusive searches, or wrongful ejection from the premises.

Products/completed operations exposures are high due to the selling of used vehicles and repair operations. Compliance with all manufacturers' instructions is critical. There should be a check-off procedure in place prior to the sale or release of vehicles to the customer to prevent its return with any vital functions not working properly.

Environmental impairment exposures can be significant due to the storage of fuel in underground fuel tanks and the disposal of used oils, solvents and other hazardous wastes from service and repair operations. All tanks and pipes, underground or above, must meet state or federal regulations and be routinely tested for leakage. Spillage and leaking of pollutants into the air, ground, or water can result in high cleanup costs and fines. Spill procedures must be in place to prevent the accidental discharge of sludge from water reclamation systems used in washing vehicles. Contracts should be in place to dispose of all environmentally dangerous chemicals. If there are underground storage tanks, a UST policy will be needed.

Property exposure may be limited to a shelter house or trailer with an office or may include a showroom for more expensive vehicles. If there is a garage operation, the exposure increases. Flammable paints, fuels, lubricants, oils, degreasers, and solvents used in the repair operations must be properly labeled, separated, and stored away from combustibles. Spray painting should be done in spray booths with good ventilation, UL-approved wiring and fixture, and adequate controls.

Welding is often a part of the repair and body work operation that needs to be evaluated for proper handling of the tanks and gases. It should be done away from the other operations with either a separate room or flash/welding curtains. Smoking should be prohibited. Poor housekeeping is a serious fire hazard. Unless stored and disposed of properly, oily rags can spontaneously combust and cause a fire. Work areas must be cleaned regularly and trash removed from the building.

Vehicles and auto parts are target items for thieves. Appropriate security controls must be taken including physical barriers such as chains, fences, or gates, lighting to deter access to the premises after hours, and an alarm system that reports directly to a central station or the police department.

Business income and extra expense exposures are high as replacement facilities may not be readily available.

Inland marine exposures are from accounts receivable if the dealership offers credit, computers used to monitor inventory, signs, and valuable papers and records for manufacturers' and customers' information. Backup copies of all records, including computer records, should be made and stored off premises. Vehicles stored in open lots are particularly susceptible to damage by hail, wind, flood, vandalism, and theft. Lots should be well lighted with chains, fences or gates to prevent access and transport. The more expensive models should be moved inside to the showroom if available. An alarm system that reports directly to a central station or the police department should be used. Security guards may be appropriate in some areas.

Crime exposures are from employee dishonesty, forgery or alteration, theft of money and securities, computer fraud, money orders, and counterfeit paper currency. Background checks, including criminal history, should be performed on all employees handling money. Auto sales operations involve a number of transactions and accounts that can be manipulated. There must be a separation of duties between persons handling deposits, billing, ordering, disbursements, and reconciling bank statements. Physical audits should be conducted at least annually. Theft of money and securities prevention requires controls of monies kept in the cash drawers and regular bank drops.

Workers compensation may be limited to an office and road hazards. If there are garage operations, the exposure increases. Used car dealers are more likely than those selling new vehicles to deal with cash transactions, so there is a holdup potential due to cash on hand. Employees must be trained to deal with such situations properly. Employees performing maintenance or repair work on customers' vehicles should be properly trained. Employees can incur injuries from slips, falls, back sprains, strains and hernias, hearing impairment from noise, and foreign objects in the eye.

Welders may suffer burns. Repair areas should be properly ventilated. Proper safety equipment is required. Hoists need to be regularly inspected to prevent vehicles from falling off. The proper use of lifting techniques and of dollies should be encouraged. Safety equipment should be provided. Refueling should be done only in well-ventilated areas to minimize inhaling of fumes. Information regarding chemicals should be available to employees along with early warning signs of problems. Test drives, pickup, and delivery of customers or vehicles can result in injury due to vehicular accidents.

What Does Used Car Dealer Insurance Cover & Pay For?

There are several reasons why used car dealers may be sued, including:

• Fraudulent Misrepresentation: If a dealer intentionally misrepresents the condition, mileage, or history of a vehicle, they can be sued for fraud.
• Breach of Contract: If a dealer fails to uphold the terms of a sales contract, such as failing to provide a warranty or delivering a defective vehicle, they can be sued for breach of contract.
• Lemon Law Violations: If a dealer sells a vehicle with known defects that affect the safety, value, or use of the vehicle, they can be sued under state lemon laws.
• Negligence: If a dealer fails to maintain or repair a vehicle properly, resulting in an accident or injury to the buyer, they can be sued for negligence.
• Title and Registration Issues: If a dealer sells a vehicle with a lien or without proper registration or title, they can be sued for title and registration issues.

Insurance can help protect used car dealers from these types of lawsuits by providing coverage for legal fees and settlement or judgment costs. For example:

General Liability Insurance: This type of insurance can cover claims for bodily injury or property damage resulting from a dealer's negligence or other actions.

Errors and Omissions Insurance: This type of insurance can cover claims related to a dealer's failure to provide adequate disclosures or information to buyers.

Garage Liability Insurance: This type of insurance can cover claims related to a dealer's operations, such as test drives or repair work.

Dealer Open Lot Insurance: This type of insurance can cover damage or theft to a dealer's inventory.

Cyber Liability Insurance: This type of insurance can cover claims related to data breaches or other cyber incidents.

In each of these examples, insurance can help pay for the lawsuit by covering legal fees, settlements, or judgments, up to the limits of the policy. However, it's important to note that insurance may not cover intentional acts of fraud or other criminal behavior by a dealer.

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

• SIC CODE: 5521 Motor Vehicle Dealers (Used Only)
• NAICS CODE: 441120 Used Car Dealers
• Suggested ISO General Liability Code(s): No code in the General Liability rules. All rating information is in the Automobile Manual, Auto Dealer Section
• Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 8380 Automobile - Service or Repair Center & Drivers, 8748 Automobile - Salespersons

Description for 5521: Motor Vehicle Dealers (Used Only)

Division G: Retail Trade | Major Group 55: Automotive Dealers And Gasoline Service Stations | Industry Group 552: Motor Vehicle Dealers (used Only)

5521 Motor Vehicle Dealers (Used Only): Establishments primarily engaged in the retail sale of used cars only, with no sales of new automobiles. These establishments also frequently sell used pickups and vans at retail.

• Antique autos-retail
• Automobiles, used cars only-retail
• Motor vehicle dealers, used cars only-retail
• Pickups and vans, used only-retail

Used Car Dealer Insurance - The Bottom Line

To find out exactly what type of used auto dealership insurance policies you'll need to carry, and how much coverage you need, speak with an experienced agent that specializes in commercial auto dealer insurance.

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.