The all-round, worry-free insurance package

The all-round, worry-free insurance package

Hagel is the godsend of every car dealership that offers used cars for sale in its open space. However, since praying does not always help, company buildings as well as the vehicles on the farm must be adequately insured against the ravages of the elements or other damaging events. In Ludersdorf, Styria, a few kilometers east of Graz, storms and hailstorms are not exactly uncommon. Manfred Harb, who recently opened his new “Harb Auto Center” on the outskirts of town, is relying on an innovative insurance solution from Garanta. Insurance broker Martin Schäfer explains why the “Garanta Spezial” product is unique in Austria: “Up until now, car dealerships insured their operations and vehicles separately, but now there is a single policy in which everything is included.” The package includes company buildings, property and liability insurance as well as fully comprehensive motor vehicle protection for all company vehicles and third-party vehicles in the care of the policyholder. “With the previous insurance policies, there were gaps in time without insurance coverage when the vehicle was handed over, which have now been closed,” explains Schäfer. With the new special package, the car dealership also benefits from a significantly reduced administrative burden, as it no longer has to keep lists of vehicle registrations and de-registrations and the sample license plates are also included in the insurance cover. 

The Harb Auto Center is a vehicle repair shop with an attached used car dealership for the Mercedes and Kia brands as well as an external car wash center. Manfred Harb placed great emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability during construction. A 200 kilowatt photovoltaic system is installed on the roof, the workshop hall with eight workstations is heated and cooled using a heat pump, and the facade consists of special thermal glazing. Three apprentices work in the workshop, two automotive technicians and Harb's 19-year-old son Niklas, who graduated from the HTL Mödling in vehicle construction. His daughter Laura also helps out part-time as a HAK graduate, and his wife Angelika takes care of marketing, billing and human resources in the family business. “I have planned the business not just for the next few years but for the next generation,” says Harb, leading us through the modern workshop with high-voltage workstations and lifting platforms for vehicles weighing up to 5 tons. The new Harb car center is now the third company in the family association, which also includes the branches in Weiz and Voitsberg.

Martin Schäfer points out that Garanta special protection is worthwhile not only for large car dealerships but also for smaller car companies with three rental vehicles or more. These benefit from the expanded coverage and a new tariff structure. “So far, the insured sum has always been based on the new construction value of the company building, even if it is already getting old,” explains Schäfer. The tariff structure is now adjusted to sales and is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized companies. The package also includes the waiver of the objection of gross negligence, compensation for damage caused by animal bites of up to 3,000 euros and the additional “Electro Plus” module for the battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle. “Almost all types of damage are covered – you should only take out extra insurance against cyber attacks,” recommends Martin Schäfer. Manfred Harb is happy that his used car fleet is now insured against parts theft, because it is not uncommon for thieves to attack radar sensors, airbags, rear-view mirrors or rims. But he is particularly pleased that he can now sleep peacefully on the weekend when another strong Styrian storm hits.