As the owner of a garage and auto body shop, you are dealing with customers and their credit cards on an everyday basis. The cost for most jobs and repairs in your shop is probably too expensive to be paid in cash! Obviously, the customer trusts you with their card to make the payment. However, there are privacy laws in place that, if you are not careful, may end up coming back to bite you.

While your business may be protected with garage insurance, it is still best to avoid a legal issue or crisis. Here are a few FAQ that you may want to look over. It is important to be educated on these laws!
1. To whom do these laws apply to?

a. Individuals, corporations, associations, partnerships, and legal entities who own, license, store or maintain personal information about a Massachusetts resident.

2. What does “personal information” mean?

a. You have a Massachusetts resident’s personal information if you have their first and last name or the first initial and last name in combination with any one of the following: a social security number, a driver’s license number, state-issued identification card number or financial account, credit or debit card number.

3. What do these regulations require?

a. The development, completion, maintenance and monitoring of a complete written information security program, otherwise known as WISP. It must be applicable to all records containing the personal information of Massachusetts residents.

4. Who should you report security breaches to?
a. You are required to report known security breaches and unauthorized use of personal information to the Massachusetts Attorney General, the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation and the owners of the personal information affected.
Now that we have answered a few common questions, be sure to come back next week when we discuss the costs of a data breach to your business. Trust us, you do not want this to happen to your auto body shop!
We at Wolpert Insurance believe that your protection and security is important, just as important as your customer’s protection! This is why we offer comprehensive garage insurance for your unique business. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information on the protection we offer, from auto insurance to employers’ liability insurance.
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