A strong safety and security plan isn’t just about doing your due diligence as a gas station owner — it’s also about protecting your investment.

The truth is that gas stations face far more threats, and operate in a much more hazardous environment, than many might initially expect. From a new rise in workplace violence to more consistent dangers like fires, you need to ensure that your current workplace safety strategy is prepared for a variety of situations.

Unfortunately, you may not be quite as ready as you think you are. This post is here to change that. Read on to learn how to make your gas station a safer place for everyone — and understand how getting the right insurance policy can help take some of the burden off of you as the owner.

Basic Gas Station Safety

Let’s quickly go over some basic gas station safety rules that your employees need to follow. We also recommend creating signage near the gas pumps, so that your customers can stay safe, too.

First of all, always ensure that cars are completely turned off when a car is being refueled. Absolutely tell customers and employees not to smoke, use matches, or lighters on the premises. Remind customers to avoid entering and exiting their cars during the refueling process, as doing so can sometimes create a charge of static electricity.

Use only approved containers for storing and selling your gasoline. Always keep these containers in a upright position, and do what you can to prevent customers from handling them without supervision. When you fill a portable container, only do so when it’s on the ground.

Unfortunately, there are over 7,000 fires at gas stations every year. If you create the right signage and train your employees to recognize and intervene when they see irresponsible behavior, you can make sure they don’t happen at yours.

Developing a Strong Security Plan

Let’s talk about the ways in which you can better monitor what’s going on at your gas station.

First of all, remember that visibility is key. Employees need large windows so that they can see what’s happening at the pumps at all times. Your customers also need to be protected at the pump. Invest in high-quality lighting so that they feel safe getting gas at night.

Install security cameras at several parts of the station, and invest in convex mirrors to give you even greater visibility.

Remember that safety is also about cleaning up any gas spills as soon as they happen. Develop a strict policy when it comes to cleaning up spills. Remember that “topping off” often leads to overflow and spills — so make sure that your employees don’t do it if they’re filling up the tanks.

You also need to ensure that customers can clearly see where they need to turn to enter or exit your gas station. Invest in reflective tape, make sure to keep the exits clear from debris or signs, and do what you can to create a good guide for traffic flow.

An insurance provider may also be able to help you develop the right security plan and identify risks. We’ll talk more about insurance later on in this post.

If You Also Own a Convenience Store

Adding a convenience store to your gas station is an excellent way to drive up your profits and connect with your customers on a deeper level.

It also means that you’ll need to be prepared to deal with new safety and security risks.

First of all, make sure your store’s interior is designed to prevent slips, trips, and falls.

This means that aisles should be well-lit, not overly crowded, and that any spills should be cleaned up immediately, with proper signage. Put mats at the entrances and exits to your store. Avoid stacking boxes too high on shelves, and make sure customers don’t reach for higher-up items themselves.

If employees are preparing hot food/drinks, train them on how to prevent burns. Instruct them on proper sanitation requirements, as well, like wearing gloves, using tongs, wearing hairnets, and washing their hands.

When it comes to the inventory itself, ensure that you do everything you can to buy non-expired, high-quality products. We suggest investing in food spoilage liability insurance to protect yourself if a customer somehow gets sick from eating spoiled food.

Remember that, if you decide to sell liquor, you’ll likely need to take proper security measures — in addition to securing the proper licensing in your state. Getting liquor liability insurance makes things easier. Depending on your location and operating hours, you may want to buy bulletproof glass or avoid having workers in the store on their own during certain hours.

Unfortunately, armed gas station robberies (of both merchandise and cash) happen all the time. You need to be prepared — and often, this means training your employees in de-escalation tactics. Also, remove cash from the register at the end of the evening, and set firm limits on how much cash you’ll have on the premises at any given time.

Play It Safe With Gas Station Insurance

Even if you feel like your safety and security plan is airtight, accidents can still happen. Sometimes, you won’t be able to clean up liquids in time. A customer may be negligent, and damage your equipment. Someone could decide to randomly vandalize your store.

From helping you to understand how the right coverage can protect you in the event of a gas spill to pointing out potential risks, working with the right insurance representative can make all the difference.

We can help you to get the insurance you need to protect your investment. Reach out to us to get a quote today.

You’re ready to own your own business, and have decided that a gas station and convenience store is the perfect opportunity for you.

You want to make sure you’re a responsible business owner, but you also want to know the steps you should start taking now to create a profitable business model. You know you need a business plan and a marketing strategy — but just dreaming up plans in your mind doesn’t guarantee success.

From making sure that you have the right insurance policy to developing a strong employee training program, follow the advice in this post to create a profitable gas station.

Location Is Everything

One of the most important things you need to do in order to have a profitable gas station?

Secure the perfect location.

For both safety (especially if you plan to keep your business open 24 hours) and to ensure you always have an influx of customers, opt for a location on a busy street. If possible, aim to find a gas station (or build your own) on the right-hand corner after a light.

The reason for this specific location?

Your customers will be able to avoid making left-hand turns.

Make sure you also take the time to research your competitors in the area. Though you can’t always control your gas prices, you can learn from then — and realize what you have to offer customers that they don’t.

Independent Ownership vs. Franchising

One of the biggest decisions you’ll make when it comes to owning a gas station is deciding whether you’d like to operate an independent business, or become a part of an established franchise.

There are certainly pros and cons to each.

Franchising often means that at least a portion of the financial responsibilities will be taken off your shoulders. They also come with the benefit of brand recognition. Additionally, when you join a franchise, they may have strict requirements about the types of gas station insurance you need to have — and often, they’ll cover most of the cost of that, as well.

However, you’re obligated to follow all the rules of the franchise, including buying all of your gas from them. When you buy a franchise, you’ll also need their approval should you ever need to sell in the future.

When you run an independent gas station, you’re in absolute control of everything from marketing to securing your gas. Especially if you want to add on a convenience store, you’ll have much more freedom over the products you can stock. You’ll also have the freedom to sell on your own at any time. You’ll also be able to negotiate with the seller of the gas station you’re interested in buying, potentially getting a better price.

Of course, this means that all of the responsibilities fall completely to you, including buying your own insurance.

Proper Employee Training

Businesses that have excellent customer service are able to achieve customer retention rates as high as 92%.

Whether you’re joining a franchise or buying an independent gas station, you need to ensure that you’re paying close attention to the way in which you train your employees. Teach them how to respond if there’s an accident, or even if they see a customer misusing a pump or causing another issue.

Ensure that they know how to work the security cameras, that they’re willing to help those that need assistance pumping their gas, and that they want to take the time to get to know repeat customers on a personal level. You should also make sure your employees know to empty the cash register every night, and that they’re clear on how often to make bank deposits to avoid having too much cash at the business.

Develop a strong safety plan, and make sure they stick to it by offering incentives. Make sure your team knows that they should only wear clothing made from cotton, as synthetic fabrics can cause fires. Instruct your employees to avoid using a flashlight near the tank, and even tell them to refrain from powering on cellphones while at the pump.

Remember that well-trained employees may help you to save on the cost of your insurance, because you can prove that you have a response plan in place in the event of an emergency.

Get Gas Station Insurance

You have health insurance and life insurance to protect yourself and your family members if something happens to you.

You can’t run a successful gas station — or any business at all — without the proper insurance. First of all, it’s just part of being a responsible business owner. But it also protects you from having to cover the costs of property damage, vandalism/theft, accidents, the consequences of customer negligence, and even medical bills.

If you have to pay for these things out of your own pocket, you may end up having to sell your business.

Look for an insurance plan that includes worker’s compensation, general liability insurance, service station coverage, pollution liability insurance, and much more.

Follow These Tips for a Booming Business

From making sure you’ve picked the perfect location to selecting the right insurance plan to protect your investment, you now know the top steps you need to take to ensure you have a profitable business.

We’re here to help make the process of buying gas station insurance as simple and stress-free as possible.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about the kinds of insurance you should have. We’ll compare options from some of the best coverage providers out there, and give you a quote we know you’ll love.

It’s no secret that a gas spill can cause serious damage to your gas station’s reputation.

Even if no one was injured and the spill didn’t cause any kind of property or environmental damage, you know that many people will immediately think of larger oil spill disasters like this one.

But you have more than just your reputation to worry about — especially if you have a severe accident or spill at your gas station.

You also need to think about how you’ll clean up the spill, contain it if necessary, make repairs to your equipment and property, and of course, deal with potential lawsuits.

Without pollution liability insurance, you could be entirely responsible for all those costs and more.

Read on to learn more about why pollution liability insurance isn’t something your gas station should open its doors without.

What is Pollution Liability Insurance?

First, let’s make sure you have a strong understanding of what pollution liability insurance actually is.

This insurance helps you to cover environmental losses that are caused to your gas station, as well as losses your gas station may cause to other businesses/people. In a gas station, this kind of coverage is mainly designed to protect you against losses due to gas spills/fuel leaks.

This insurance helps with on and off-site clean-up expenses, bodily harm or damage to property that occured because of a gas spill, and legal defense costs and revenue losses that may arise as a result of lawsuits and other claims.

Pollution liability insurance covers your gas station whether you own or rent your business.

There are several factors that will likely influence the overall cost of your policy.

They include how you’ve handled any spills in the past, your gas station’s location and construction, the different types of quantities of pollutants your gas station uses, and the kind of services your gas station offers.

The Benefits of Pollution Liability Insurance

Remember that pollution insurance is not included as a part of your overall commercial liability insurance policy.

However, in many cases, you may be legally required to show proof of pollution liability insurance before you can open your business.

But even if you’re not legally required to have pollution liability insurance, it’s still something you should invest in.

Why?

First of all, because it’s an incredibly comprehensive policy, offering coverage for both first and third parties. This means that, whether someone on your team is injured in a gas leak, your property has been damaged due to a spill, or if a customer’s negligence causes property damage to your gas station, you’re protected.

You’ll also be able to offset the costs of gas spill cleanup, building or car repair, and even medical bills or other equipment damage. You don’t want to have to pay for these expenses out of pocket — especially if the accident wasn’t your fault.

Finally, investing in a pollution insurance policy just helps you to sleep better at night. You already have enough things to worry about. Your insurance coverage shouldn’t be one of them.

Common Claim Examples

Let’s take a look at some potential claim examples when it comes to pollution liability insurance.

Of course, one of the most common scenarios happens when a car backs into a fuel pump at your gas station, spilling gas all over the property. You’ll need to clean up and contain the fuel, clean up anything that it came into contact with, (like other cars) and potentially repave part of your lot.

Or, one of your customers could accidentally drive away while the pump’s nozzle is still in the car, causing a huge mess. You’ll need to clean up not only your gas station, but also the area surrounding it that was impacted by the leak.

Perhaps a customer is trying to sue your gas station for negligence, because a hose split open while they were pumping gas, spraying fuel all over them and their vehicle. However, you properly maintain all of your equipment, and suspect that the fault lies with the way the customer handled the pump.

Finally, your gas station could be dealing with a leak coming from one of your underground tanks. Perhaps someone is trying to prove that this leak contaminated the local environment in some way.

The amount of coverage you’ll receive depends on the outcome of these cases, if cause or negligence can be established, and much more.

Having pollution liability insurance in situations like these can mean the difference between having to close down your gas station for good due to high costs and fines and being able to stay open.

Questions to Ask When Shopping for Coverage

There are several things to keep in mind when shopping for the right pollution liability insurance policy.

First, make sure you understand the kind of optional coverage the company may offer. This can include things like damage to your reputation, transportation of pollutants, an interruption in your business, and more.

Next, ask how the insurance company plans to find the right policy for you. How will they get to know the needs of your gas station and fairly evaluate your risk? Do they have relationships with several insurance providers that allow them to compare/contrast specific policies? Are they able to offer multi-policy discounts? What other kinds of coverage do they offer that your gas station could benefit from?

The more questions you ask, the faster you’ll be able to determine whether or not you’re truly working with the right company.

Are You Ready to Purchase Pollution Liability Insurance?

Now that you understand why pollution liability insurance is so important, let’s talk about how you can find the best possible plan for your gas station.

At Ovation Insurance, we’ve worked hard to make relationships with over 25 A-rated insurance providers. This means that we can compare your insurance options, saving you time and stress.

In addition to pollution liability insurance, we’ll help you to make sure your gas station has all the coverage it needs when it comes to your employees, your equipment, and even potential crime.

Get a quote from us today to get started.