DAMAGE CLAIMS AND LIABILITY
If you are operating a car wash, you are probably well aware of the liability issues that might arise – – when there is damage or theft.
Customers may also complain about long wait times, unsatisfactory result, or even dirty rest rooms.
It is reported that damage claims are the primary loss leader in the car wash industry. These claims directly affect business by slowing or stopping the cleaning line and distracting employees from the core job of servicing customers
TYPES OF DAMAGE
You may be fortunate to have not faced an expensive bill for reattaching a mirror or trim that was already loose, replacing a rear wiper, having to repair paint swirl damage if the brushes have any defect, or scratched wheel rims.
You also have some expensive equipment that is susceptible to vandalism, or even theft.
THE APPLICATION OF VIDEO SURVEILLANCE AND SECURITY SYSTEMS
Many car wash operators have realised the benefits of installing security systems – enhanced with video surveillance, at their car wash facilities.
- Assist with damage claims,
- Assist with theft claims,
- Provide evidence of pre-inspections being done,
- Aid with deterring and limiting vandalism,
- Limiting negative feedback and reputation damage,
- Deter and limit break-in and theft of expensive equipment,
- On-site managers can easily monitor operations,
- Identifying training requirements,
- Where the provider is remotely connected to the system, the provider can pull and stitch together video evidence for investigations – freeing the management from this task.
If the customer reasonably shows that the damage results from the car wash, the burden of proof may switch to the car wash operator.
Car wash operators have been well served by video surveillance and security equipment. Incidentally these systems offer similar benefits to auto and paint shop operators.
LOSS PREVENTION
For best results, these systems should be used in conjunction with;
- Training staff on special needs vehicles,
- Pre-wash inspections, aiming to identify pre-existing damages and loose items,
- Informing customers of guidelines where they remain in the vehicle,
- Asking customers to exit the vehicle during wash operation,
- Display rules clearly,
- Training staff to ask drivers to remove obvious valuables during the wash procedure,
- Display a disclaimer (Only effective where the customer acts negligently)
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