We all need to cut our cloth more tightly in these tough economic times. When it comes to reducing costs within your business, the first thing you need to look at is reducing the insurance risk. Unfortunately in an industry that deals with cars, those risks tend to be high stakes, and provide the potential for high losses.
Car accidents cause 55% of losses to an automobile business
What is the main consideration for losses in your automobile business? Car accidents! In fact, car accidents cause 55% of losses to an automobile business in any given year. Vehicle accidents are the biggest cause of work related fatalities in the United States. If you you’re trying to control your costs in this area, you need to ensure that you have strict vehicle operation protocols in place, as accidents can cause skyrocketing liability costs, as well as disrupting your day-to-day flow of work.
Faulty parts and jobs can end up with snowballing costs as well. A faulty brake pad change, or a defective part can end up with catastrophic results, costing your business hefty fines and even putting it out of business through claims and damaged reputations.
Implementing best practices and health and safety regulations can help prevent most employee injuries
An employee injury can also cause losses to your business through time loss and rising insurance costs. The most common injuries in the automotive industry are related to incorrect lifting and overexertion, slips, trips and falls. Implementing best practices and health and safety regulations can help prevent most employee injuries and cut down on monetary loss arising from an employee injury.
Theft is a growing threat in the automotive industry
Theft can also be a threat in the automotive industry when the economy is struggling. Vehicle thieves can survey your property in seconds, assessing the parts that can be sold on the black market. Thieves will even sell entire cars for parts. Even more sinister, internal theft by your employees can often go unnoticed and cause massive losses over time. Provide adequate security to help lessen the threat to your automotive business.
As experts in insurance for the California automotive industry, Sutherland-Scherff is here to give you advice on the risks associated with your automotive business. Contact us today for insurance advice and a quote.
