Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: SteveTruman on January 19, 2004, 09:46:59 pm

Title: Insurance
Post by: SteveTruman on January 19, 2004, 09:46:59 pm
Just a story for the people coming on here wanting advice on starting up in the cleaning industry. A few years ago i had a phone call from another cleaning franchise (when i was a franchisee now freelance) out of the blue. I didn't know this gentleman from Adam and he was talking to me like i was a long lost friend. To cut a lengthy phone call down he had cleaned a cotton suite. The customer had phoned the following day and wasn't happy with the end result, so he had gone back to see what he could do. As the covers still looked grubby he said he would take the covers back to his office and give them special treatment. Having the covers in his van he headed for the nearest dry cleaners and left them there for 2 days. On picking them up he noticed they were pink, the problem been when he dropped them off they were cream!! On confronting the shop assistant she pointed out the signs around the shop stating no liability for colour run. Hence the phone call to me offering £200 if i said i had done the damage and claimed off my insurance, on reply i suggested he contact his own insurance company. Lo an behold no insurance, costing the gentleman £2000 for a new suite. So make sure you get insured as there are still a lot of cleaners out there not insured.. A good company i found was the N.F.U. covering all aspects of my insurance needs. Touch wood after 14 years i have not needed it but you never know.......... Anybody else got any true stories  they would like to share.

Steve
Title: Re: Insurance
Post by: Appleton_Cleaning on January 20, 2004, 08:00:18 pm
Absolute class!!  I've just come to the industry after being made redundant from 10 years in the insurance biz - 4 years of that investigating fraud!  I got £2M public liab from HSBC for £113.00!!  :)
Title: Re: Insurance
Post by: Les on January 20, 2004, 08:07:45 pm
Just a question..
My insurance company wouldn't cover me against the problem you describe as it would deemed 'negligence' on my part. Would N.F.U. or anyone else ?
Just wanted to check in case I need to change Insurers. :)
Title: Re: Insurance
Post by: Kinver_Clean on January 20, 2004, 08:20:44 pm
Be careful what insurance you get. There is a big difference between third party( incidental damage to property) and treatment risk, sometimes called product liability. Only the latter will cover you for ruining a job. Third party will cover you for breaking an ornament or something.
Product insurance is quite a lot more expensive as it will cover for the above cockup, they will not be happy and premiums will rise if they think you are negligent. I would have to pay the first £350 that makes you more careful).
I have had one claim on a cotton deepbuttoned chesterfield for a horrible woman. I nearly walked before I started the job. The sofa was OK when I left and I am certain she poked a hole in it to claim. She rang the next morning and launched straight into the 'I will sue you and I work in a solicitor's office' routine.
She got her sofda recovered & I did not refund the money as she was demanding.......Be careful.

Trevor







Title: Re: Insurance
Post by: Appleton_Cleaning on January 20, 2004, 08:29:00 pm
Trevor, my excess on property damage is £250, and the policy INCLUDES damage to the item you are working on!

The policy originates with NIG/Churchill, and I got it through the HSBC Brokers on 01202 455 545.

Stay sane,

Bill
Title: Re: Insurance
Post by: SteveTruman on January 21, 2004, 08:32:19 pm
Quote
Absolute class!!  I've just come to the industry after being made redundant from 10 years in the insurance biz - 4 years of that investigating fraud!  I got £2M public liab from HSBC for £113.00!!  :)

Just to say the N.F.U. charge me £75 for £5 mill cover (public liability ) and it covers everything from shrinking carpets (not that us dry cleaners can shrink a carpet ::) )to colour run in suites or rugs or anything else for that matter. Excess £250. Never used  touch wood.
Title: Re: Insurance
Post by: md_cleaning on January 21, 2004, 10:37:56 pm
Steve
       How do I get in touch with the N.F.U your insurance is much cheaper than mine at £219
    Dave
Title: Re: Insurance
Post by: SteveTruman on January 22, 2004, 12:27:57 am
Quote
Steve
       How do I get in touch with the N.F.U your insurance is much cheaper than mine at £219
    Dave

Look thru yellow pages for National Farmers Union Insurance. They are also very good for car and van insurance. I deal with the branch in Darlington Co. Durham
Title: Re: Insurance
Post by: md_cleaning on January 22, 2004, 01:42:41 am
Thanks steve, will do that.
                             Dave
Title: Re: Insurance
Post by: Les on January 22, 2004, 09:37:14 pm
Thanks for the insurance tips. I have been with the co-op for 3 years and pay over £300 plus it seems to be on a 'Need to know' basis re: the actual cover. Probably tell me when I need to know! ;D
Title: Re: Insurance
Post by: Appleton_Cleaning on January 25, 2004, 12:08:34 am
Quote

Just to say the N.F.U. charge me £75 for £5 mill cover (public liability ) and it covers everything from shrinking carpets (not that us dry cleaners can shrink a carpet ::) )to colour run in suites or rugs or anything else for that matter. Excess £250. Never used  touch wood.


Curses! & I thought I was the tightest Get around! ;D
Will definitely be giving NFU a call for renewal ( grumblegrumblegrumble) >:( >:( >:(