Appliance Services and other types of Appliance Services codes that may apply to this:  Portable air conditioning systems – installation, service or repair; Household appliances – electrical – installation, service or repair; Refrigeration domestic – cleaning; oiling or adjusting; Refrigeration domestic – installation, service or repair; Commercial appliances – electrical – installation, service or repair.

Description of operations: Appliance service shops offer maintenance and repair assistance for electronic equipment owned by businesses and individual consumers. The service can be located in individual shops, in a home basement or garage, in the appliance or department store where the appliance was originally purchased, or at the manufacturer’s premises. A store or manufacturer may contract with an outside operation to provide service to its customers. The operation may make repairs at customers’ premises or offer pick-up and delivery services.

Property exposures generally include an office, servicing area, and storage space for supplies and customers’ items awaiting pickup. Ignition sources include electrical wiring, heating and air conditioning systems, and overheating of equipment used to repair appliances. Operations may include the use of flammable cleaning solvents, soldering, electrical wiring, and repair of plastic, metal, or wood cabinets. Flammables and combustibles need to be used away from soldering operations. Solvents should be properly stored in fireproof cabinets or rooms. Theft can be a concern if the shop repairs target items such as TVs, radios, or computers. Appropriate security controls should be taken including physical barriers to prevent access to the premises after hours and an alarm system that reports directly to a central station or the police department.

Crime exposures include employee dishonesty and money and securities, particularly if repair persons collect payment at the time of service. There must be receipt procedures and monitoring to encourage accurate reporting and collection. There must be a separation of duties between persons handling deposits and disbursements and handling bank statements. If there is off-site work, there is also the possibility of employees taking clients’ property. Background checks should be conducted before permitting any employee to handle money or visit clients.

Inland marine exposures include accounts receivable if the firm offers credit, bailees customers, computers, tool floater, and valuable papers and records for customers’ and suppliers’ information. Bailees include the goods of customers while being repaired or if the operation offers pick-up or delivery service. Items should be padded and tied down during transit to prevent damage from breakage or collision. There must be documentation of appliances received and records kept of who owns each item. Security should be appropriate for the type of appliance being worked on. Off-site exposures can be high due to the tools, equipment, and supplies carried to and possibly stored at customers’ premises.

Premises liability exposure at the repair shop can be moderate if customers visit the premises. Customers should not be permitted in the repair area. There should be adequate aisle space, no frayed or worn spots on the carpet, and no cracks or holes in the flooring. The number of exits should be sufficient, well marked, and have backup lighting in case of power failure. Parking lots and sidewalks need to be in good repair with snow and ice removed, and generally level and free of exposure to slips and falls. If the shop conducts repairs at the customer’s home or place of business, repair persons should be trained in proper procedures to prevent premises damage, such as fire, while working on faulty appliances. Personal injury exposures include assault and invasion of privacy. Failure of the firm to run background checks and review references on employees both increases the hazard and reduces available defenses.

Products liability exposure is generally low. The use of faulty components or improperly repaired appliances can cause electrical problems, resulting in fire or other property damage. Employees should be trained in proper repair procedures. Improper work can nullify warranties and transfer the responsibility for properly working products from the manufacturer to the repair operation. The exposure increases if used and refurbished items are sold.

Automobile exposure may be limited to hired and nonownership. The exposure increases if the repair shop offers pick-up and delivery service to its customers or repairs items at the client’s premises. Custom or specially designed equipment may be installed in vehicles. Drivers should have appropriate licenses with acceptable MVRs. All vehicles must be well maintained with documentation kept in a central location. If vehicles are provided to employees, there should be a written policy regarding the personal use by employees and their family members.

Workers compensation exposures include electrical shock, cuts, puncture wounds, eye fatigue, foreign objects in the eye, repetitive motion injuries, and burns and splashes during soldering operations. Back, hernia and other lifting injuries may occur from moving heavy appliances or televisions. Off-premises injuries, including trips, falls, automobile accidents, and animal attacks, can result from repairpersons traveling to customers’ premises.

Minimum recommended coverage:

Business Personal Property, Employee Dishonesty, Money and Securities, Accounts Receivable, Bailees Customers, Computers, Tool Floater, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Employee Benefits, Umbrella, Hired and Nonownership Auto, Workers Compensation

Other coverages to consider:

Building, Business Income and Extra Expense, Earthquake, Flood, Computer Fraud, Forgery, Cyberliability,  Employment-related Practices, Business Auto Liability and Physical Damage, Stop Gap Liability

Reprinted with permission from the Rough Note’s Company copyrighted content.