Insurance for Self Employed House Cleaners: What You Need to Know

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As a self-employed house cleaner, you're likely no stranger to hard work and dedication. You put in long hours to keep homes spotless, but have you thought about protecting yourself from unexpected expenses or injuries on the job?

Accidents can happen, and medical bills can add up quickly. According to the article, the average cost of a medical emergency is around $1,000, which can be a significant financial burden for anyone, especially those without a steady income.

You may be surprised to learn that as a self-employed individual, you're not automatically covered by your employer's insurance plan. This means you'll need to find your own insurance solutions to stay protected.

Who Needs Insurance?

As a self-employed house cleaner, you might wonder who needs insurance. The answer is: anyone who falls into the cleaning professionals category. This includes dry cleaning, carpet cleaning services, maid services, janitorial services, laundry services, window cleaning, house cleaning business, office cleaning business, and commercial cleaning business.

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You're likely to encounter different risks in your business, from breaking valuable items to being held liable for damage to a client's property. General liability insurance can cover accidents like these, protecting you from financial loss.

A bond can also be beneficial, especially for solo cleaners or partnerships. It's a small price to pay (around $100 per year) to put your customers' minds at ease and build trust.

Here's a list of cleaning businesses that can benefit from insurance:

  • Dry Cleaning
  • Carpet Cleaning Services
  • Maid Services
  • Janitorial Services
  • Laundry Services
  • Window cleaning
  • House Cleaning Business
  • Office Cleaning Business
  • Commercial Cleaning Business

Some states may require workers' compensation coverage, but it's not always a straightforward answer. Cleaning insurance can provide more than just financial protection – it can also help you market your business and signal stability and responsibility to your clients.

Types of Coverage

Business Owners Policy is one type of insurance we recommend for house cleaning services.

General Liability Insurance is another insurance policy that's often necessary for cleaning companies.

You may be on a tight budget, but it's smart to purchase the most coverage you can afford, as accidents can happen and you want to be covered when they do.

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A conversation with an insurance agent can help you assess your insurance needs and get the best cleaning insurance policy for your business.

To decide what type of insurance you need, take an inventory of your risk exposure and consider the potential costs of a claim, including reimbursement, medical expenses, and lawsuits.

House cleaning companies are at higher-than-usual risk for slip-and-fall accidents, exposure to toxic chemicals, and damage to client property, among other risks.

A reputable broker can help you determine the right amount of coverage for your business, so you're neither underinsured nor over-insured.

Service Coverage

As a self-employed house cleaner, it's essential to consider insurance coverage for your business. Business Owners Policy and General Liability Insurance are recommended for house cleaning services.

Accidents can happen, and having the right insurance can protect you and your business. We recommend a conversation with an agent to help assess your insurance needs.

Residential cleaning isn't a high-risk industry, but risks still exist, and house cleaning and maid service insurance can protect against claims. This type of insurance can pay to repair or replace a client's belongings if damage occurs.

Service Coverage Needs

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As a business owner in the cleaning industry, it's essential to understand the types of coverage your business needs to operate safely and effectively.

You'll want to consider general liability insurance to cover accidents such as slip-and-fall incidents, damage to client property, and exposure to toxic chemicals.

To determine the right coverage for your business, take an inventory of your risk exposure and consider factors such as the cost of a claim, medical expenses, and lawsuits.

Residential cleaning isn't typically considered a high-risk industry, but accidents can still happen, and insurance can protect against claims.

Your business may be at risk for accidents while traveling between homes, damage to client property, and exposure to toxic chemicals.

General liability insurance can cover the cost of repairing or replacing damaged client property, as well as medical expenses for slip-and-fall incidents.

You may also want to consider property insurance to cover equipment and supplies from damage or theft.

Tools and equipment insurance can pay to repair or replace your items, such as a floor cleaner that gives out after its warranty expires.

Reputable brokers can help you determine the right amount of coverage for your business, ensuring you're neither underinsured nor over-insured.

Lost Key

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Lost Key is a crucial coverage for service providers, especially those who clean high-end homes or offices. Policies cover the costs of re-keying customer locks, install new cylinders, and providing new master keys.

The cost of re-keying locks, new locks, and cylinders can run into thousands of dollars, making this coverage a necessary investment.

Liability and Risks

General liability insurance is a must-have for self-employed house cleaners, as it can protect your business against financial loss due to claims of damage caused by you or your workers.

General liability insurance can help protect your business if someone's personal property is damaged, if third-party bodily injury occurs, or if you're sued for advertising injury.

A common scenario where general liability insurance kicks in is if a client slips and falls on your freshly mopped floor, and your business could be held liable for damages.

General Liability

General Liability is a must-have for any business, especially those in the cleaning industry. It's also known as 'slip and fall insurance' or 'commercial general liability'. This type of coverage can help protect your business if someone's personal property is damaged or if third-party bodily injury occurs.

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General liability insurance can serve as proof of insurance to your clients, which can help build trust and credibility with them. It's a good idea to have this coverage in place, especially if you're working with clients who have valuable property.

If a client slips and falls on your freshly mopped floor, your business could be held liable for damages. A general liability policy can help protect you against such lawsuits. This type of policy can provide financial protection against claims of damage caused by you or your workers.

Residential house cleaners should carry at least one million dollars ($1,000,000) in general liability insurance. This is a crucial investment to protect your business against financial loss.

General liability insurance covers your business against financial loss due to claims of damage caused by you or your workers for which you are legally responsible. This type of policy can help you avoid costly lawsuits and financial losses.

Workers Comp

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Workers Comp is a crucial aspect of liability and risk management for house cleaning companies. It's often a legal requirement, especially for businesses with employees.

Workers Comp insurance can cover medical payments, lost wages, rehabilitation expenses, and even death benefits. This type of insurance is essential for protecting your employees and your business in case of accidents or injuries on the job.

Commercial and residential cleaning businesses are considered high-risk industries, which can impact Workers Comp premiums. In fact, online insurance quote sites like Insureon have shown that these businesses often have higher median premiums compared to other industries.

If you're a house cleaning business owner, it's essential to check your state's requirements for Workers Comp insurance. Most states require you to purchase from private insurance companies, but four states – North Dakota, Ohio, Washington, and Wyoming – require you to purchase from a state fund.

Only two states, Texas and South Dakota, don't require Workers Comp insurance. However, even if it's not mandatory, it's still a good idea to consider purchasing Workers Comp insurance to protect your business and employees.

Here's a quick rundown of the four states that require Workers Comp from a state fund:

  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Washington
  • Wyoming

Janitorial Bonds

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Janitorial bonds are a type of surety bond that covers costs of damages if an employee is accused of theft or unsatisfactory work. This protection can give homeowners peace of mind when hiring a janitorial service.

Some homeowners require janitorial services to hold a janitorial bond before they're allowed to work in their home. This requirement is a testament to the importance of having this type of protection in place.

Janitorial bonds cover loss of personal property or money due to theft by an employee, as well as unsatisfactory work. This can include damage to a homeowner's property or belongings.

It's essential to have a janitorial bond in place to protect both the janitorial service and the homeowner from potential losses.

Subcontractors

As a business owner, it's essential to understand the liability and risks associated with subcontractors. Subcontractors are business owners who need to carry their own business liability and commercial auto insurance.

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Your insurance company may require your subcontractors to provide proof of insurance. This is a standard requirement to ensure you're protected in case of any accidents or damages.

It's a good idea to review your subcontractors' certificate of insurance and auto insurance coverage once a year to make sure it's current. This will help you stay on top of their insurance needs and avoid any potential issues.

Insurance Options

As a self-employed house cleaner, it's essential to have the right insurance to protect your business. NEXT offers 24/7 DIY access to manage your coverage on your schedule, allowing you to answer a few questions, choose the package you need, and get your certificate of coverage in 10 minutes or less.

Running a small business can be a 24/7 job, and NEXT's DIY access feature gives you the flexibility to manage your insurance on your own terms. You can access your coverage at any time, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to focus on growing your business.

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Getting a quote for cleaning business insurance is quick and easy, taking just a few minutes to complete. Simply head to NEXT and get a quote today.

Having the right insurance can protect your business from common claims, such as accidents or property damage. By understanding how to avoid these claims, you can reduce your risk and keep your business running smoothly.

Cost and Benefits

The cost of insurance for self-employed house cleaners can vary, but general liability insurance can start as low as $45 a month or $500-$600 annually.

Factors like the type of cleaning company, policy limits, and past claims history also come into play. For example, an exterior window cleaning company may face more risk than a maid service.

You can expect to pay different rates for insurance depending on the provider, but getting multiple quotes can help you find the best policy. Residential cleaning companies can pay anywhere from $375 to $800 per year for general liability insurance.

Here's a rough guide to annual premiums for the residential cleaning industry:

Carrying business insurance shows you care about your customers and your business, which can command higher rates and deeper trust.

Medical Expenses

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Medical Expenses can be a significant concern for many of us, especially if we're involved in an accident or injury on our premises or at work.

Medical Expenses insurance is designed to help cover these costs, and it's often sold in a bundle with other types of liability insurance.

Cost

The cost of insurance for a cleaning business can vary depending on several factors. You can get general liability insurance for as low as $45 a month or $500-$600 annually.

The type of cleaning company you operate is a significant factor in determining insurance costs. For instance, an exterior window cleaning company will face more risk than a maid service.

Policy limits and deductible costs also play a crucial role in determining premiums. The higher the deductible, the lower your annual premium.

Your past history of claims can also impact your insurance costs. Businesses with few or no past insurance claims are eligible for the most favorable insurance rates.

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The number of employees you hire can also increase your insurance costs. Having more employees can raise workers' comp premiums and other rates due to additional risks.

Annual revenue is another factor that affects insurance costs. The more you earn, the more you have to lose, which typically equals higher insurance rates.

Here's a general guideline to annual premiums for the residential cleaning industry:

Monthly insurance premiums can be as low as $50 to $85, which is roughly the cost of one cleaning service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is house cleaning considered self employment?

House cleaning is often considered self-employment, as cleaners typically operate as independent contractors responsible for their own insurance. However, some cleaning companies may provide unemployment benefits for their employees.

Jackie Purdy

Junior Writer

Jackie Purdy is a seasoned writer with a passion for making complex financial concepts accessible to all. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, she has established herself as a trusted voice in the world of personal finance. Her writing portfolio boasts a diverse range of topics, including tax terms, debt management, and tax deductions for business owners.

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