Most salvage yards don’t have an “insurance problem.” They have a fit problem . Standard policies are built on assumptions that don’t match auto recycling: outdoor inventory, volatile values, heavy equipment, public access (in some yards), and pollution pathways that insurers treat differently than most businesses. A real auto recycler insurance review isn’t about chasing a cheaper premium. It’s about answering one question: If you have a serious loss this year, will the program respond the way you think it will? This guide shows what a meaningful review includes, what to gather, and where recyclers are most commonly overpaying—or uncovered. Who this is for Auto dismantlers and salvage yard operators U-Pull-It / self-service yards Parts recyclers with high inventory turnover Owners preparing for renewal, a carrier inspection, or a major operational change What this does not cover This is not legal advice, and it isn’t a substitute for environmental engineering, permitting, or remediation guidance. It’s a practical insurance review framework. If you only do one thing Create a simple “review folder” that includes: Current policies (GL, property, umbrella, auto, workers’ comp, pollution if you have it) Statement of values / property schedule / parts inventory method Facility photos (intake, depollution, storage/containment, stormwater controls, perimeter) A one-page change log: what changed in the last 12 months If you can’t produce these quickly, you’re forcing underwriters to guess—and they usually guess conservative. What a real auto recycler insurance review includes Think of this as a checklist. You don’t need perfection. You need clarity. 1) Operations description (classification accuracy) Goal: make sure the policy describes what you actually do.