Trade insurance
Insurance for mobile auto detailings.
Detailers work on high-value customer vehicles; the core exposure is damage to the very vehicle being serviced, which requires a care-custody-and-control endorsement beyond standard GL.
Updated 2026-05-16 · Beaconcover editorial§ 01
Why this matters
What can go wrong on the job.
- Damage to client vehicles. Paint/interior damage — care-custody-control
- Water runoff/property damage. Chemical runoff at client sites
- Equipment theft. Gear stolen from the service vehicle
§ 02
Required vs recommended
What contracts require, and what's worth adding.
§ 03
Typical premium ranges
What it tends to cost.
- General liability: $646 avg (auto detailing/car wash category) / year[Q]Insureon
Figures are reported averages, not quotes. Actual premiums vary by state, revenue, payroll, and underwriting.
§ 04
Common gaps
Where this coverage trips people up.
Damage to the customer's vehicle (the item worked on) needs garagekeepers/CCC coverage
Standard GL alone will deny the most common detailing claim
Mobile operation usually requires commercial auto
§ 05
Before you bind
Questions to ask any carrier for mobile auto detailings.
- Does the quote include the lines listed above as typically required?
- What does a certificate of insurance cost and how fast can the carrier issue one?
- How is workers' compensation rated for this trade — by payroll or by class code?
- Is there a separate deductible for tools and equipment in transit between sites?
- If a client requires an additional-insured endorsement, is there a fee?