Navigating insurance and risk within the cleaning industry

This article first appeared in the January/February 2017 issue of INCLEAN.

It is essential that commercial and domestic cleaners secure adequate insurance coverage to protect themselves and their businesses. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult for commercial cleaners to secure public liability cover. Bluewell Insurance Brokers managing director Dale Mackney explores the key issues facing the cleaning industry when it comes to obtaining insurance and how to reduce the risk of making a claim.

For busy cleaning companies it may seem preferable to forego insurance coverage where it is not insisted upon by clients, especially given that the cost of premiums, and in some cases, the difficulty in obtaining cover.

Dale Mackney
Dale Mackney

However, cleaning businesses must consider whether they would be able to afford to defend a claim against them, even if not at fault, let alone a payout if they are found liable for injury or damage. The time taken to secure insurance now, may save a lot of stress and cost in the future.

The key insurances for cleaners to consider are:

  • Public liability insurance – this covers injury to other people or damage to property not owned by you, which is caused by your work
  • Income protection – this covers you if you are injured and unable to work for a period of time
  • Tools, machinery and equipment cover – this covers the equipment you use in the course of your work from loss such as damage and theft.

Despite insurance cover being part of sound business practice, many employers will also generally require cleaning companies to obtain public liability insurance cover to ensure that injuries or damage caused by a cleaner will be covered by the cleaner’s insurance rather than their own.

Claims generally result in increased premiums, and it makes sense that employers would prefer responsibility, liability, and ultimately increased costs, would be borne by the cleaner.

To read the full article, check out the January/February 2017 issue of INCLEAN magazine here.

www.publicliabilityinsurance.com.au

Leave a comment:

Your email address will not be published. All fields are required