Detailing insurance for paint that isn't yours.
Coverage for customers' vehicles in your care, general liability, equipment and commercial auto for mobile detailers, detail studios, ceramic coating, paint protection film and window tint shops.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
The claim is usually the customer's paint
A polisher burning through clear coat, a chemical staining leather, or a car scraped while an employee moves it are the claims detailers see. General liability policies generally exclude property in your care, custody or control, so the car you're working on needs its own coverage.
I set that coverage up for how you work, at the customer's home, at a dealership or in your own bay, and add your equipment and vehicle so the whole business is on one plan.
- Customer vehicle coverageGaragekeepers or care, custody and control for cars you work on.
- General liabilityInjuries and damage to property at the job, like a slip on a wet floor.
- Tools and equipmentPolishers, extractors, pressure washers, water tanks and tint tools.
- Commercial autoYour van, truck or detailing trailer.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Services: washing, paint correction, ceramic coating, PPF, tint, with rough percentages.
- Where: mobile, your own shop, or on-site at dealerships.
- Customer cars: the most valuable car you work on and how many you hold at once.
- Equipment: your tools, rig or trailer and their values.
- Staff: employees and whether they drive customers' cars.
- History: any current policy and claims.
Auto detailing insurance, answered
Does general liability cover damage to a car I'm detailing?
Usually not. General liability generally excludes property in your care, custody or control. Garagekeepers coverage or a care, custody and control endorsement is how detailers cover customers' cars.
Is a bad ceramic coating or tint job covered?
Damage to the car caused by your work may be covered, depending on the policy. The cost of stripping and redoing the coating or film itself usually is not.
Do mobile detailers need different coverage than shops?
The pieces are similar, but a mobile detailer needs coverage that applies at the customer's location and for the vehicle and water rig you bring. A shop adds property and coverage for cars kept overnight.
Are employees driving customers' cars covered?
Only if the policy is set up for it. Moving cars between bays or to a dealer lot should be disclosed so the auto and garage coverages respond.
Do dealerships require proof of insurance?
Most do, often with the dealership named as additional insured and minimum limits set in the contract. Send the requirements and I'll match them.
Do you offer auto detailing insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. California policies are placed directly; outside California the request is handled together with a partner agency in your state, and the shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Tell me what you detail. I'll shop it.
Your services, where you work and the cars you handle are enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued. Some policies may be placed with nonadmitted (surplus lines) insurers, which are not members of the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA).
Tell me how to reach you. I’ll take it from there.
Takes about 30 seconds. I review every request personally and call you back, usually the same day.
(424) 552-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
Get a reminder before your renewal.
Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.