Insurance for house cleaning and janitorial businesses

You’re trusted with people’s homes and offices. That’s a big deal.

• A cleaner breaks a customer’s keepsake. Ask about general liability.
• A key goes missing and a lock has to be replaced. Ask me, because it depends on the company and the policy.
• A visitor slips on a freshly mopped hallway. Ask about general liability.
• A cleaner hurts a shoulder moving a heavy bin. Ask about workers’ comp.
• A customer says something was taken. Ask me what coverage may or may not apply.

A solo cleaner and a crew with a janitorial contract don’t need the same setup. In Florida, construction businesses generally need workers’ comp once they have one or more employees, and other businesses generally need it at four or more employees. The Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation has the official rules. Some customers ask whether you’re bonded. That’s separate from insurance. Ask me and I’ll tell you what I can and can’t help with.

• General liability. It can respond to customer property damage and injuries to others tied to your work.
• Workers’ compensation. It’s for employees hurt while cleaning.
• Equipment and supplies. Ask me about covering machines and stock if they’re stolen or damaged.
• Commercial auto. If you drive between homes or buildings for work, ask me about it.

I keep my questions simple.

• Whether you clean homes, offices or both, and what jobs you turn down.
• Roughly what you earn in a year.
• Who’s on payroll and how many people that is.
• If you hire independent cleaners.
• Past claims, if any.
• Whether a client or contract asks for a certificate or a bond.
• When you need things in place.