What insurance do I need for my cleaning business?
Access to someone else’s home or office comes with certain risks, and you must protect yourself against the associated risks. The insurance you need for your cleaning business starts with asking the right questions and using the answers to build your business insurance cover.
Liability insurance for cleaning business
Liability insurance is essential for cleaning businesses because it protects you on a number of fronts when things go wrong. Whether it’s a shattered vase, an injury caused by slippery floors, or an employee injury, liability insurance ensures you’re not left footing the bill.
- Employees: Covers workplace injuries or illnesses, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and protecting your team.
- Third Parties: Addresses accidents or damage caused to individuals not directly involved with your business, such as visitors or passersby.
- Clients: Protects against allegations of property damage or injury resulting from your services.
- Contracts: Offers peace of mind when contractual obligations involve liability clauses, ensuring you’re prepared for unexpected claims.
- Professional Services: Covers mistakes or errors in cleaning methods or advice, safeguarding your business from negligence claims.
Public liability insurance for cleaning businesses
There is always a risk for a cleaning business to be accused of causing an injury or property damage. However, some types of cleaning businesses will face increased exposure if, for example, the staff works with ladders or ropes at height.
Sometimes, you may be prepared to correct your mistake by, say, replacing a damaged item or painting over a scratch on a wall. However, sometimes, the blame for property damage or injury can be laid at your feet even though it wasn’t your fault.
This is when public liability insurance comes in. It protects your cleaning business against accusations of causing injury or property damage by giving you access to legal advice and defence. It will also pay compensation if you’re found liable.
Do cleaning businesses need public liability insurance?
While public liability insurance isn’t legally required, it’s often a must-have for cleaning businesses. Many clients won’t hire a cleaner without proof of it. It’s more than just a box to tick—it’s a sign that you take your work and responsibilities seriously, giving clients the confidence to trust you with their spaces.
Other insurance cleaning businesses buy
Professional indemnity insurance for cleaners
Professional indemnity insurance is a lifesaver if a client claims your methods or advice caused damage. For example, if a cleaning solution ruins a valuable piece of furniture, this insurance handles the legal fees and compensation, letting you focus on delivering top-notch service.
Employers’ liability
The definition of an employee in the UK is quite wide and goes well beyond someone on your payroll. In the UK, employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement for anyone who works under your control and supervision, whether paid or not. That includes employees, freelancers, temps, volunteers, and helpers.
Tools & materials
Some cleaning equipment and tools can be quite costly to replace or repair. This particularly applies to business equipment on hire, such as the latest model of a carpet cleaner. The associated charges with replacement or repair can often be quite high.
Most insurance providers offer some level of cover to protect your cleaning business's tools. However, always read the terms and conditions. Ensure that your policy exclusions don’t limit how you work and protect your tools at places where you usually use or store your equipment.
Commercial legal expenses
A cleaning business has many relationships throughout its life cycle - HMRC, customers, employees, suppliers, and more.
These relationships can sometimes turn sour and may result in issues such as:
- Contract breach accusations
- Employment disputes
- Unpaid invoices
- Trespassing claims
- Accusations of theft
Commercial legal expenses insurance is a really good backup for business-related matters that are not typically covered by other legal covers. The other advantage of commercial legal expenses is that it isn’t just for your defence. You can use it to bring a case against a third party, for example, a supplier who took your money but failed to deliver the materials.
