I am a window cleaner, a one man operation here in MN. I am not insured because I understand that insurance covers the home owners property and that I am not too worried about right now because I am brand new. But today I was asked by a home owner if I fell off a ladder could I sue them.
If I understand it correctly, if its my ladder, my business, and I set the ladder up, I am responsible right? I know its different with employees. I have no employees its just me.
Thanks
Andy
When you’re new, unskilled, and experimenting is exactly the time you need insurance. The first time you cause a FD scratch, drop a squeegee on the client’s new BMW or break a window you’ll wish you had it.
There are 2 insurances you should be looking at.
Now that said, a customer has all the right not to hire you if you are not properly insured for either situation. A smart customer would make sure that the trades they hire are covered on both ends.
Thanks for the advice!
Or drop a ladder on something, or she blames you for busted seals, or messing up her siding, or something that you didn’t do but can’t prove in court, or if you set up a ladder in the house to clean a sky lite and the ladder slides a bit and scratches her hardwood floor, or your customer slips and falls in what she claims is water that you spilled… etc, etc, etc, etc, etc…
INSURE YOURSELF. It takes just one customer that knows the law and wants to get you. Those people are out there and will get you. Protect yourself
Thanks for the advice! Its not my first day cleaning windows. lol But I am new at the business side. Any insurance I get the deductible would be way bigger then the cost to fix. I have repaired scratches in glass for years and my good friend has a glazier. My question is will my personal insurance that I get through the military going to cover me if I get hurt.
Oh my god that would be so ****ing hilarious!
Well not actually to people working, but like as a prank by kids to other kids.
$1 mill liability, $500 deductible, $72 per mo. for 9 mo. for 12 mo. coverage. How big of deductible were saying?
That’s all youre paying!!! does it include pressure washing too?
No pressure washing and only up to 3rd floor.
I have a $1 million dollar liability policy. I also have a disability policy. Very important to get both. You never know what can happen in this world of window cleaning
ok. cool. I was gonna call my ins company and tear them a new one in the morning.
I’ve been cleaning windows since 1999, and I fell off a roof for the first time last month.
Its always a learning process no matter how good you are, and its surely better to be covered.
In regards to your first question, Im not sure how that works if you fell off a ladder at a house, but Im pretty sure you could so… tho it may ruin your credibility.
Workman’s Comp would cover your lost pay if you injured yourself, but, at least in NJ, its not required for owners, tho it is available at a very steep price for owners. I dont have it for myself. From what Ive been told, as an owner you cannot collect WC, at least in NJ…
So its available but you cant collect?
Something like that. I don’t pay WC for myself because I don’t want to starve but Ive been told by a few contractors that you cant collect as an owner
WC covers employees. I have disability insurance for if I can’t work due to injury.
I pay 650 / yr for no height restrictions window cleaning / power washing / roof cleaning
Who’s that with?
I paid that just for window cleaning
I live in sue happy california, and here “yes” you could. If you are not an official “liscensed” buisness and dont carry any type of insurance you no become the property owners employee. If he didnt train you, provide a safety briefing or safety equiptment he is liable. Howevver is home owners insurance should protect him if either you or your insurance company were to sue him for medical costs.
Another note… In california a $1M liability policy is at the cheapeast $1150 a year, thats is for two stories only…state farm wanted $1900 for the same coverage.
