NAICS UNIVERSITY · Free research for insurance agents
Car Washes
NAICS 811192 · United States · 2022 edition
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in cleaning, washing, and/or waxing automotive vehicles, such as passenger cars, trucks, and vans, and trailers.
Who controls the vehicle matters.
A self-service wash and a full-service detailing operation present different vehicle-custody concerns. Review who moves cars, moving equipment, slippery surfaces, chemical storage and wastewater handling. Disclose detailing, collection or delivery services.
Questions to ask
- Is the wash automatic, self-service, hand wash or mobile detailing?
- Who controls or moves customer vehicles, and are keys retained?
- How are wastewater, wash chemicals and discharge permits managed?
- What share of revenue comes from washing, detailing or other services?
- How are customers separated from moving conveyors and vehicle traffic?
- Are equipment maintenance, emergency stops and staff training documented?
- Are vehicles kept overnight, collected or delivered?
- What vehicle-damage, slip-and-fall or runoff claims have occurred?
Activities described by this code
- Automotive detail shops
- Mobile car and truck washes
- OTHER SERVICES (EXCEPT PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION) 569
- Car washes
- Self-service car washes
Other activities to examine
Census classification reference
For educational purposes only. AI-generated insurance research and automated logic can contain errors. Independently verify classification and coverage decisions.
Compare another operationInsurance operations research — draft
Car wash establishments clean, wash, wax, and detail automotive vehicles ranging from passenger cars to vans and light trucks. Operations vary widely — from fully automated tunnel conveyor systems and in-bay automatics to self-service bays and hand-wash or detailing services. Customer vehicles may pass through unmanned equipment, be attended by employees, or remain in the care of detailing staff for extended periods. Mobile operations bring equipment to customer locations.
Questions to investigate
- What type of wash operation is it — tunnel conveyor, in-bay automatic, self-service, hand wash, or mobile detailing?
- Does the operation offer full-service or valet-style service where employees take possession of customer vehicles?
- What is the approximate number of vehicles washed per day, and what are the hours of operation?
- Is there any fuel sales, convenience store, or underground storage tank operation on the same premises?
This insurance research was generated in April 2026. It has not received a complete human review. The October 12, 2026 audit checked codes and titles only, not descriptions or coverage assertions.