What Insurance do Self-Employed Cleaners need?

There are as many different types of cleaner as there are different types of places to clean. Some cleaners specialise in domestic properties. Others clean retail premises, offices or residential care homes.

But what they all have in common is that they all need insurance to protect their cleaning businesses against unexpected losses. And there are a number of different types of insurance to cover the different types of risks that cleaners face. So, what insurance does a self-employed cleaner need?

Insurance for domestic cleaners

Insurance for domestic cleaners tends to come as a package containing a number of different types of insurance.

A self-employed cleaner’s insurance policy will typically include public liability insurance, which protects you if a compensation claim is made against you because something you have done or failed to do has resulted in an employee or a third party suffering a loss.

It’s important that you protect your business by making sure that you’re adequately insured. The cost of insurance might seem like an irritation when you have to buy it, but if you need to make a claim that irritation suddenly becomes a worthwhile investment.

Also, bear in mind that as well as paying money to cover losses, your insurer will help you in the event that you have to make a claim. This is particularly important where public liability insurance is concerned because often the compensation claims that this insurance covers involves complicated legal arguments. It means you can leave your insurer to deal with the solicitors and concentrate on running your business instead.

Public liability insurance

As a cleaner, you’ll be coming into contact with members of the public on a regular basis. Even if you have done your cleaning before the public appears, it is possible they could be affected by something that you have done.

If you’ve cleaned a floor but it hasn’t dried by the time a shop opens, for instance, someone could slip on that floor. If they broke a bone as a result of that slip, the compensation claim made against you could easily cost over £20,000 by the time that their loss of wages, legal costs and the cost of any expenses they had incurred has been calculated.

Public liability insurance protects you against compensation claims made by members of the public that allege you have injured them or damaged their property. Your public liability insurer will also defend claims on your behalf, meaning that you can concentrate on cleaning for your clients, rather than having to concentrate on legal paperwork.

With Tradesman Saver, you’re also covered if you damage property being worked on. For example, if the chemicals you use destroy your client’s carpet, you’re covered for third-party property damage.

If you are working on commercial premises, it’s quite common for the owner of the premises to insist that you can show evidence that you have self-employed public liability insurance as a condition of the contract. Without public liability insurance, you’ll be restricted in terms of the jobs you are able to undertake.

Employer’s liability insurance

If you employ anyone, even if those people are only employed on a casual or temporary basis, you’re legally required to have employer’s liability insurance. There are heavy fines for anyone who operates without employer’s liability insurance when they are required to be insured.

Employer’s liability is similar to public liability insurance, but it protects you against compensation claims made by employees rather than compensation claims made by members of the public.

Like public liability insurance, your employer’s liability insurers will deal with claims on your behalf so you don’t have to worry about dealing with legal paperwork.

Tools and equipment insurance

As a cleaner, you’ll have tools, equipment and cleaning materials. You’ll also have a mobile phone, and it’s quite likely you’ll have a computer that you use to run your business.

Without these items you’d not be able to run your business. Tools and equipment insurance can protect you against losses due to accidental damage or theft of those items.

Overall, it’s important to ensure you have all of these areas covered by your self-employed cleaner’s insurance policy. Visit our Self employed domestic cleaner insurance to get a quote

Optional extras

If you need access to buildings out of office hours, your client will likely lend you their keys. If these keys get lost, you could be facing a bill to replace locks and passcards. You may also be liable for business lost due to the client being unable to access their work space. This can be costly and put your reputation at risk.

With loss of keys insurance, you’re covered for this cost. And if you’re a domestic or office cleaner, this cover can be extended to £50,000.

You can also cover claims made against your business for the misuse of your client’s telephones. This optional extra is available for domestic and office cleaners and can be extended up to £5,000.

And remember, your Tradesman Saver policy includes legal expenses cover at no extra cost:

Up to £250,000 for legal costs and expensesA legal helpline which is open 24/7A tax helpline that is manned by tax experts during office hoursBusiness legal services online to help you build and download legal documents relating to your business, such as employment contracts and health and safety policiesA confidential staff counselling helpline

Overall, it’s important to ensure you have all of these areas covered by your self-employed cleaner’s insurance policy. Visit our Self employed domestic cleaner insurance to get a quote now.