Most cleaning contractors are not "fully insured"
Just a quick search on the internet for cleaning contractors brings up a huge list of businesses vying for that number 1 spot in the Google rankings. Delve a little further into these sites and you will notice they are all trying to tempt consumers with their professional approach. One tactic used is to tell potential clients that they are "fully insured", sadly in most cases this is not so and they could be leaving their clients in a vulnerable position.Unless their policy provides comprehensive cover including;
Damage to the property being worked upon
Treatment risks
Loss of Customer's keys
Financial Loss
Failure to secure a customer's premises
Employee Dishonesty
...then they aren't fully insured
Damage to Property Being Worked Upon
When they arranged their cleaning insurance they should have checked that their policy included cover for damage to property being worked on and that they have it in writing that this is covered. A verbal confirmation from an insurance broker or comparison site is not enough. If it isn't in writing, the insurer's claims department will throw out any claim.So what is this "damage to property being worked on"
It provides cover should damage be caused to the item being cleaned. Whether that is a rug, a settee, a piece of office furniture, a carpet or a window. It is hard to believe this is not covered automatically, but if you look through most insurance policies that cleaners have been sold you will see it isn't covered. If you think you have this cover, but you don't have it in writing then you don't have this cover - fact. You will also be unlikely to have any of the other covers mentioned above as you have been sold a policy not intended for cleaning contractors.The perils of cheap insurance in a recession
In these tough economic times when money is tight everyone is looking to cut costs. As a business owner you may feel that getting the cheapest insurance cover you can is all you need to do to give you that piece of paper that says "INSURED". Regrettably, this can lead to more problems - as the purse strings tighten, insurance claims increase. The public see insurance as a quick way to make a few quid and they won't take any prisoners. In your business, where you enter the premises of consumers and businesses you are a sitting duck. If a homeowner is looking for a new settee or a new carpet and you are asked to clean it, whose neck is on the line?As the saying goes - buy cheap, buy twice.
Cleaning insurance quotes are available from GLEAMING INSURANCE online and include all the covers mentioned above. If you have had a quote and are still considering the difference in cost against your current standard policy and need any advice, speak to GLEAMING INSURANCE on 0845 474 0068.