As a business owner, you must know that protecting your investment is important.
That’s why you carry insurance. But are you confused about what kind of insurance you need for your carpet cleaning business?
Most small businesses, including carpet cleaning businesses, need four types of insurance: property insurance, liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and business interruption insurance.
This article will take a closer look at each type of insurance and what it covers. We’ll also share with you additional tips on how to get the best coverage for your business.
Why Do You Need Insurance for Your Carpet Cleaning Business?
The current business climate is unpredictable, and accidents can happen anytime. Without insurance, the cost of repairing property damage or covering a liability claim could bankrupt your business.
Not only that, but many clients require proof of insurance before signing a contract with a carpet cleaning business.
And in some industries, such as real estate and construction, it’s even legally required to carry certain types of insurance.
When you’re working on someone else’s property, property insurance can protect you from damage to the building or its contents.
Liability insurance covers any injury or damage caused by your business, whether it’s a customer slipping on a wet carpet or a piece of cleaning equipment damaging furniture.
In addition, if you choose to buy a franchise, a requirement of your contract may be to have insurance. This ensures that their reputation is protected, as well as your investment in the franchise.
Picture this: A client hires your carpet cleaning business to clean their office building.
While you’re working, one of your employees trips and falls, causing damage to the building’s carpet and breaking a valuable piece of equipment.
Without insurance, you’d be responsible for paying for all the repairs and replacements out of pocket.
But with property and liability insurance, your insurance company would cover the cost, allowing you to continue running your business without financial strain.
Read: Carpet Cleaning Business Profit — What’s Your Take Home?
Types Of Insurance for Carpet Cleaning Businesses
Now that we’ve talked about the importance of insurance for carpet cleaning businesses, let’s take a closer look at the specific types of insurance you might need.
As we stated earlier, there are four main types of insurance for small businesses: property, liability, workers’ compensation, and business interruption.
1. Property Insurance
Property insurance is an essential type of insurance for any business. This insurance covers damage to your physical property, such as your office building or equipment. It even covers the loss or damage of important documents and materials.
In the carpet cleaning industry, property insurance can cover damage to your cleaning equipment and vehicles and any damage caused to a client’s property while you are on the job.
When getting a quote for property insurance, make sure to list all of your business assets and equipment in order to get the best coverage.
Property insurance could come in handy for a carpet cleaning business if one of your cleaning vehicles was involved in an accident, causing damage to the vehicle and any equipment inside.
Property insurance would cover the damaged property’s repair or replacement cost.
2. Liability Insurance
Liability insurance protects your business from lawsuits related to injury or property damage.
This kind of insurance can cover legal fees, settlements, and any medical expenses if a member or client of the public is injured on your property or by one of your employees.
Liability insurance can protect you in situations such as a customer slipping on a wet carpet after your team has cleaned it or damage to a client’s property during a cleaning job.
When getting liability insurance, it’s essential to have enough coverage for any potential accidents or injuries that could happen in your line of work.
A good rule of thumb is to consider the value of the properties you regularly clean and make sure your liability insurance covers at least that amount.
3. Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Workers’ compensation insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages for employees who are injured on the job. In most states, this type of insurance is required for businesses with employees.
If you’re an independent contractor or sole carpet cleaner, you may not need workers’ compensation insurance.
However, if you hire employees or subcontractors to assist with cleaning jobs, it’s important to have this coverage in case of an accident on the job.
After all, even though carpet cleaning may not seem like a dangerous job, accidents can happen. From slipping on wet floors to lifting heavy equipment, injuries are always a possibility in the workplace.
4. Business Interruption Insurance
Business interruption insurance helps cover expenses if your business is unable to operate due to a covered event, such as a natural disaster or fire.
This type of insurance can cover lost income and expenses, such as temporary relocation costs.
In the carpet cleaning industry, business interruption insurance could come in handy if a natural disaster caused damage to your office or equipment, making it impossible for you to continue operating.
This type of insurance would cover the cost of temporary relocation and lost income during the time that your business is unable to operate.
Even if you’re just getting started with your carpet cleaning business, it’s important to consider business interruption insurance.
Natural disasters can strike at any time, and it’s important to have a safety net in place in case your business is affected.
How Much Does Carpet Cleaning Business Insurance Cost?
The cost of insurance for your carpet cleaning business will vary based on several factors. It’s important to get quotes from multiple insurance companies before making a decision.
Some of the factors that can affect the premiums for your insurance include:
1. Type of Business
There are two main types of carpet cleaning businesses – residential and commercial.
Commercial carpet cleaners often have higher premiums due to the potential for larger properties and more expensive equipment. Considering you’re just getting started, you may only be offering residential cleaning services.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that your business may expand in the future and consider insurance options that can cover both residential and commercial services.
2. Value of Equipment
The value of your equipment, such as carpet cleaning machines and vehicles, will also impact the cost of your insurance premiums.
Make sure to accurately estimate the value of your equipment to ensure you have enough coverage in case of theft or damage.
As your business grows, the value of your equipment may increase, and you may need to adjust your insurance coverage accordingly.
3. Number of Employees
The number of employees or subcontractors that you have working for your carpet cleaning business can also affect the cost of insurance premiums.
This is especially true for workers’ compensation insurance, which covers medical expenses and lost wages for employees injured on the job.
For example, a solo carpet cleaner may have lower premiums than a larger business with multiple employees or subcontractors.
4. Business Income
The income of your carpet cleaning business can also impact the cost of insurance premiums. Generally, higher income businesses may have higher premiums due to an increased risk and potential for larger losses.
It’s important to accurately estimate your business income when shopping for insurance to ensure you have enough coverage in case of a loss.
5. Policy Deductibles
The policy deductible is the amount that you, as the policyholder, are responsible for paying before the insurance company covers expenses.
Higher deductibles typically result in lower premiums, but it’s important to consider your ability to pay a high deductible in case of an accident or loss.
Your chosen deductible amount can also affect the cost of your insurance premiums.
In addition to these factors, the location of your business and claims history can also impact insurance costs.
It’s important to regularly review your insurance coverage and adjust as needed, particularly as your business grows and changes.
Average Cost of Carpet Cleaning Business Insurance
According to Insureon, the average cost of insurance for a small carpet cleaning business is around $650 per year.
However, this can vary based on the factors mentioned above and the specific coverage options you choose.
It’s crucial to remember that the cost of not having enough insurance can be much higher than the cost of premiums.
Making sure your business is properly insured can provide you peace of mind and can protect you from potential financial losses.
Here’s a breakdown of the average cost of common insurance options for carpet cleaning businesses:
- General Liability Insurance: $650 per year
- Worker’s Compensation Insurance: $1000 per year
- Commercial Property Insurance: $500 per year
- Business Owner’s Policy (BOP): $750-$1000 per year
It’s important to work with a trusted insurance provider and carefully consider your coverage options to ensure you have the protection you need for your carpet cleaning business.
What are some of the Best Carpet Cleaning Insurances companies?
There are a few different companies that offer carpet cleaning insurance.
These companies typically have various coverage options, so be sure to compare them before you decide on one. Some of the best carpet cleaning insurance companies include:
Tips for Finding the Right Carpet Cleaning Business Insurance
Finding the right insurance for your carpet cleaning business can seem overwhelming, but here are a few steps you can take to make this process easier.
Here are our top tips:
1. Consider Your Unique Needs and Risks
Every business is unique, and your insurance needs will differ based on factors such as the services you offer, the equipment you use, and the number of employees you have. Consider any potential risks and make sure your insurance covers those specific needs.
Most new businesses can benefit from general liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance, but you may also want to consider additional coverage options such as commercial property insurance or business interruption insurance.
2. Get Multiple Quotes
Move around and get quotes from multiple insurance providers to find the best coverage at the most affordable price.
Don’t just go with the cheapest option, but also consider the reputation and customer service of the provider.
You can also work with an insurance broker who can provide multiple quotes and help you compare coverage options.
3. Work With a Trusted Provider
Choose an insurance provider that you trust and feel comfortable working with.
Consider their experience in insuring businesses like yours, their customer service and claims process, and any recommendations from peers or business associations.
Don’t get distracted by flashy advertising or discounts – make sure you have the coverage that best meets your needs, even if it costs a little more.
Some shady providers may try to sell you inadequate coverage or deny claims, so it’s important to do your research and work with a reputable provider.
4. Regularly Review Your Coverage
As your business grows and changes, it’s important to review and update your insurance coverage regularly.
Make sure your policies reflect any new employees, equipment, or services offered by your business. It’s better to invest in the right coverage now than to face potential financial losses down the road.
Since a lot of carpet cleaning businesses change their focus to commercial cleaning as they grow, it’s important to update your coverage to reflect this shift in services offered.
Depending on the type of commercial clients you work with, you may need additional insurance options such as professional liability or pollution liability.
5. Communicate With Your Team
Also, make your employees aware of your insurance coverage and any safety protocols that may be in place.
You may also want to require them to carry their own insurance for any personal equipment used for work purposes.
Clear communication and documentation can make the process smoother in case of an accident or claim. Stay organized and keep records of any incidents, employee training, and insurance information.
Wrapping Up
Having proper knowledge about business insurance and staying up to date with your coverage can help protect your carpet cleaning business from potential liabilities.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to a trusted provider or insurance broker for assistance in finding the right coverage for your needs.
Daleyza knows a lot about carpets! She has worked with carpets for over 7 years and can help with things like putting them in, keeping them clean, and replacing them. She really likes carpets and spends most of her time learning about new ways to work with them. When she’s not learning about carpets, she enjoys reading books. She’s really good at helping people choose the right carpet for their homes and making sure they’re happy with it. If you want to know more about carpets, Daleyza is the person to talk to!