Owning and operating car repair and maintenance garages can be a very rewarding experience. Whether your business performs routine maintenance (e.g. oil changes and tyre rotations) or makes significant repairs (e.g. brake repairs and coolant system services), your business helps customers keep their vehicles in good condition and stay safe behind the wheel.
However, as a car repair and maintenance garage owner you also face a number of exposures that have to be contended with on a daily basis in order to successfully run your business. It’s important to understand the challenges presented by these exposures, as they can cause significant damage to your property, serious physical harm to your employees and irreversible financial consequences for your business. We can provide expert mechanic insurance to help protect your business.
Substantial Health & Safety Executive Fines
This was evidenced in March of this year when an Isle of Wight based repair garage received a substantial fine as well as having to cover compensation costs due to health and safety failings. An employee of GP Motor Works Ltd experienced a life changing accident when falling into a vehicle inspection pit, suffering serious head and shoulder injuries, which required surgery.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety, found the company had failed to ensure the pit had any physical measures, such as barriers or pit covers, in place to prevent a person falling into it. GP Motor Works Ltd subsequently pleaded guilty at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. A fine of £10,000 was issued as well as costs of £10,000.
If you are concerned about the potential disruption that could be caused to your business by an unannounced HSE Inspection Plan offer affordable protection on mechanic insurance policies. There are numerous benefits HSE Inspection Assistance insurance including cover against potential Fee For Intervention charges. Read more at the link above or speak with our team for further details.
Assessing Risk And Taking Appropriate Action
In addition to risks common to every industry, car repair and maintenance garages face unique risks due to the movement of vehicles and the presence of various equipment and chemicals. This assessment form gives car repair and maintenance garage owners the opportunity to self survey risk categories specific to their operations and take steps to address those risks.
Following the completion of your review, should you wish to discuss any element with our commercial insurance experts please do not hesitate to get in touch on 0800 542 2743.
Risk Management Solutions
Effective risk management can aid the reduction of your company’s insurance premiums. But it’s not just about proactively avoiding preventable accidents.
Read morePlease note that this assessment specifically addresses risks related to car repair and maintenance operations. For a separate assessment that addresses risks related to motor body services, contact Plan Insurance Brokers.