Clean It Up
UK General Cleaning Forum => General Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: scrubberscleanings on November 03, 2009, 04:53:50 pm
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Where's the cheapest place to get liability insurance 1mil cover for small cleaning company
builders cleans
domestic
window cleaning
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im trying to sort that myself at the minute. I have had quotes from £600 to £150. The cheapest was from simply business, need to check the ins and outs of it to know whether its too good an offer.
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Same here the differences that I'm getting quoted are massive
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Hi all!
Firstly let me say that liability insurance is not cheap!
There is a certain company already mentioned within the thread that does indeed appear to offer "cheap" liability insurance, however if you look through this and other forums, you will see that their small print excludes much, without being very clear. In fact some on this forum have tried to claim, only to be told that the policy does not cover them!
If you employ staff, then the law requires you to hold "Employers Liability" by purchasing a "cheap" policy, you will in fact be complying with current legislation, however, if you run into any problems, regarding the Health & Safety, employment issues etc, you could very well find that the policy will be of very little use, and that you may be personally liable for any award the courts or others may make.
The other issue that could arise, is the actual "Scope of Works" that you undertake, what this means is the area's and types of work that you actually undertake. Most policies, prohibit you from working in airports, churches, offshore installations, commercial kitchens etc.etc. Some allow "office cleaners" to clean windows (internal) others do not.
Public Liability is normally added onto your insurance, however, again, this sort of cover has different meanings to different people, you should ensure that you understand fully, exactly what is covered and what is not.
Product Liability is another type of insurance that is well worth considering, this would cover damage caused by staff to your client's items, as an example a carpet or large monitor etc.
Key Loss Insurance, yet another add on, this does exactly what it says on the tin. Staff or you lose your clients office/property keys, the insurance pays.
Motor Insurance, if you use any vehicle for business purposes, you must inform your insurance company of this fact, yes the insurance costs will be higher. As a very quick example, a window cleaner using their own car recently had their ladders come adrift from the roof rack, went straight through another parked cars windows, insurance refused to pay out, he had to pay out of his own pocket, now struggling to obtain personal and business insurance!
Theft or damage to tools/carrying/transporting chemicals or goods for re-sale.
Again you need to consider this and ensure that you comply with the relevant regualations. You may think that because you carry commercial vehicle/premises insurance that you would automatically be covered, check the small print carefully! Dont have premises? Run your business from home? Does your insurance company know? Most home based policies will not cover you, or your storage area (Garage/Shed/Spare Room)
Best advice!
List all the types of work that you currently carry out, visit a specialist broker, inform him/her of your set up and take his advice, pretend to be a bit dense, get them to list your requirements on paper, then shop around for that cover.
It wont be cheap, especially if your involved in builders cleans or window cleaning.
Regards,
Rob
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Wise advice from Robert. You get what you pay for in any business. Its only the same as the £7 per hour mob who can't possibly be providing a fantastic cleaning service at that rate.
Re how much insurance costs, I've been quoted a similar price but with tons of exclusions so not comparable in terms of the quality of the product compared to the deal my own broker got for me.
If anyone wants the name and number of my broker who is local to me and took me through each part of my insurance policy step by step to make sure I had what I needed then give me a quick call.
Best Wishes
Diane
www.freshlymaid.co.uk
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milltown do they cover n.ireland.
yea they cover NI
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Unfortunately most people only realise how crap their insurance is when they come to make a claim. Not something to cut corners on.
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A local car valeter friend of mine was recently machine polishing a Bentley Continental when the pad caught and ripped off a layer of paint from the rear wing area!!!!
He's taken it to a professional spray shop and they have refused to touch it as the rear wing is made from the same panel as the roof, the other rear wing and the door frames!!!!!!
It's now at Bentley getting assessed for the respray work that needs done, conservative estimate is £3000-£5000, guess what .......... his insurance company want nothing to do with it as he didn't have any product liability insurance!!!!!!!!! ie he's not insured for the piece of equipment he was working on.
He's no cowboy, he's very experienced and has done many high value cars for high profile people, however that doesn't stop us from making mistakes!!