Loaner cars aren’t a “nice-to-have”—they’re a sales tool that closes RO’s, reduces chaos at the counter, and lets independents compete with dealerships. Laura Tierney from Shop Loaner breaks down how to do it safely and profitably.
Guests:
Laura Tierney — Shop Loaner
What you’ll learn (shop-owner takeaways):
Why loaners close higher-dollar repair orders
How to structure a separate rental LLC
Insurance basics and driver-first liability
What your legal agreement must include
When to lease vs. repurpose lot vehicles
Fleet sizing math: 2 cars per active bay
Tablet/text workflows that speed handoffs
Policies that prevent horror-story abuse
Timestamps:
00:00 – Why loaners matter now
02:05 – Laura’s origin story
03:44 – From dealerships to independents
05:18 – COVID shift to virtual forms
07:10 – Two brands, same core tools
08:32 – Software + service explained
09:06 – State rules and liability basics
10:40 – GPS language and terms
12:18 – Separate LLC to protect assets
14:05 – Vehicle condition and expectations
15:42 – Repurpose customer turn-ins
17:22 – Courtesy vs. paid rental standards
18:58 – The #1 reason shops add loaners
20:06 – Compete with “dealership alternative”
21:22 – Insurance set-up the right way
22:56 – What every agreement must capture
25:05 – Photos, walkarounds, credit cards
26:32 – Real-world horror stories
29:02 – Do-Not-Rent list controls
31:20 – Cost mindset vs. growth mindset
33:18 – How many cars to start with
35:28 – Revenue lift example (Euro shop)
39:36 – Shuttle risk vs. clean process
42:10 – Valet pickup/delivery workflow
44:12 – Clear next steps and contact
45:40 – Where to reach Laura
46:30 – Wrap
Call-to-Actions:
Got questions? Comment or post in the FB group—guests will chime in.
Subscribe for more shop-owner panels & Origin & Impact stories.
Want to be a guest? Share your story in the group.
Links
Listen on Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/garagegrit
Join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/forautorepairshopowners/
Learn more: https://aashopmarketing.com