Window Washers: Life Insurance Options And Challenges

Window washers are almost always required to have insurance due to the risk of injury and property damage. Window cleaning is one of the most dangerous professions, with employees at risk of falling off ladders and clients' property at risk of accidental damage. Window washers are also required to have insurance to start work on a project, hire employees, drive for business purposes, and repair or replace property. Window cleaning insurance can help protect window washers from financial losses related to property damage, accidents that hurt someone, professional mistakes, and workplace injuries.

General liability insurance

Window cleaning is one of the riskiest professions. An employee could fall off a ladder, or a client could sue over accidental damage to their home. Window washers are almost always required to have insurance due to the risk of injury and property damage. General liability insurance is a fundamental protection for window cleaning businesses. It covers a wide range of accidents and basic risks, including:

• Accidental injury to a third party due to equipment malfunction
• Unintentional damage to a client's property during cleaning
• Slip-and-fall incidents resulting from your work
• You were hired to clean an apartment, and while taking out furniture, an employee carrying a TV tripped and fell on the ladder, breaking the TV.
• The apartment owner slipped and fell on a wet floor while you were cleaning and sustained a minor hip fracture.
• Your employee accidentally drops some heavy items and damages an expensive hardwood floor.
• A client trips and falls over one of your extension pole brushes.

Workers' compensation

For instance, if an employee falls from a ladder and sustains injuries, workers' compensation insurance can help cover their medical bills and a portion of their lost income. It also safeguards employers from bearing the full cost of these expenses.

Additionally, implementing a robust safety programme in conjunction with workers' compensation insurance can lead to lower premiums and a safer work environment, positively impacting both employee well-being and the company's bottom line.

While workers' compensation insurance is mandated in most states, Texas is an exception, and businesses operating there are not required to carry this type of insurance. However, it is important to note that penalties may be imposed in states where workers' compensation insurance is mandated, and businesses are found to be non-compliant.

Furthermore, if a carrier rejects workers' compensation coverage, business owners can still comply with the law by qualifying for a state risk pool, which serves as a source of workers' compensation insurance funded by the state.

In summary, workers' compensation insurance is a vital component of a window-cleaning business, not only to adhere to legal requirements but also to ensure the financial protection of both employees and employers in the event of work-related injuries or illnesses.

Commercial auto insurance

• Accidents involving company vehicles, including medical expenses and property damage.
• Rental reimbursement if a company vehicle is damaged or involved in an accident.
• Legal expenses arising from lawsuits resulting from vehicle-related incidents.
• Third-party property damage caused by a company vehicle.

It is worth noting that commercial auto insurance requirements vary by state, and it is important for window cleaning businesses to be aware of and comply with the specific requirements in their state.

In addition to commercial auto insurance, there are several other types of insurance that window cleaning businesses should consider, including general liability insurance, workers' compensation insurance, and commercial property insurance. These types of insurance can provide protection against a range of risks, including accidental damage to client property, slip-and-fall accidents, employee injuries, and damage to company equipment.

Professional liability insurance

Window cleaning is a risky profession, and window washers are almost always required to have insurance due to the risk of injury and property damage. Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, is a crucial policy for window washers to protect their business from financial losses. This type of insurance covers the business from client lawsuits over errors, mistakes, or negligence that negatively impact the client. For example, if a window washer accidentally damaged a client's window, professional liability insurance would cover the legal fees and settlement costs.

In addition to professional liability insurance, there are several other types of insurance that window washers should consider to protect their business fully. These include:

• General liability insurance: This covers third-party personal injuries and property damage, such as accidental damage to a client's window.
• Workers' compensation insurance: This covers medical costs and lost wages for employees who are injured on the job. It is required by law in most states.
• Commercial auto insurance: This covers accidents and property damage involving business-owned vehicles.
• Inland marine insurance: This covers business property, products, tools, and equipment while in transit or stored at a job site.
• Contractors pollution liability insurance: This covers pollution liability risks, such as window cleaning solution causing damage or health issues.
• Cyber liability insurance: This covers financial losses due to cyberattacks and data breaches, which is essential for businesses storing sensitive customer data.

Commercial property insurance

Window cleaning is a risky profession. An employee could fall off a ladder, or a client could sue over accidental damage to their home. Window cleaners need insurance to protect themselves from financial losses related to damage to someone's property, accidents that hurt someone, professional mistakes, workplace injuries, injuries and damage involving business vehicles, and theft or damage to tools.

There are several types of insurance that window cleaning businesses should carry. These include:

General Liability Insurance

This protects against basic third-party business risks, such as accidental damage to a window caused by a squeegee, damaged client property, slip-and-fall accidents, and personal injury lawsuits. It is often required by commercial and residential clients.

Workers' Compensation Insurance

Most states require workers' comp for window washing businesses that have employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work injury costs that health insurance might deny. It can help pay for medical care and lost wages after a workplace injury.

Commercial Auto Insurance

This insurance coverage pays for accidents involving your window cleaning company's vehicle. Each state has its own auto liability insurance requirements. It covers third-party property damage from a vehicle, medical expenses from an auto accident, vehicle theft, and vandalism.

Business Owner's Policy

A business owner's policy (BOP) combines general liability coverage with commercial property insurance at a discount. It covers customer bodily injuries, customer property damage, and window cleaning equipment coverage.

Commercial Umbrella Insurance

This type of coverage boosts the limits on a window cleaner’s other liability policies. It’s a cost-effective way to meet client demands for higher limits.

Janitorial Bonds

Janitorial bonds are a type of surety bond that reimburses the client if an employee steals from a job site.

Professional Liability Insurance

Also known as errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, this protects your window service business from client lawsuits over errors, mistakes, or negligence that negatively impact the client.

Cyber Insurance

Cyber insurance, also known as cybersecurity or cyber liability insurance, helps window cleaning companies recover from financial losses due to cyberattacks and data breaches. It is recommended for any business that stores sensitive customer data, such as credit card numbers and email addresses.

Inland Marine Insurance

Inland marine insurance safeguards your business property (such as products, tools, and equipment) while it's in transit or stored at a job site. One type of this insurance is contractor's tools and equipment coverage, which protects cleaning equipment valued at less than $10k and is less than five years old while it's off-site from your work address.

Frequently asked questions