I am on my way to starting my own Window Cleaning Business, but im trying to figure out all the expenses first. I am going to be mostly solo, but maybe with 1 part time emplyee. We will use my own vehicle, and we will mostly be doing residential (non-repelling) areas. in general, how much can i expect to pay a month for basic coverage? $40? $60? $100? And is insurance absolutely essential anyway? Is it illegal to be un-insured?
illegal or not, get it. I spend just over $100 a month
It is, our boss has workmans comp for us.
It’s not illegal unless you have others working for you.
I actually spend $83 per month for insurance with $1,000,000 covered. I would rather have insurance than not. That way, I know if something happens (and it will eventually), it wont come out of my pocket.
Do yourself a favor- don’t work without insurance. In my first year of cleaning I got a plan for under 600 a year- covered me to 1 mil for both 1-3 story residential and storefront, and my rates went down after the first year. now I pay 450/yr ;). shop around- it’s worth it. Depending on your company and situation, it may be worth looking into “janitorial” coverage- a little broader coverage, and maybe cheaper.
I paid $252 my first year for $2,000,000 in liability, and now I pay just over $400. This isn’t usually required, but it’s absolutely worth it.
Worker’s comp was only $1100 for the year as well, for 2 employees. Only necessary if you have employees though.
[B]Is it illegal NOT to have insurance? [/B]
It should be
+1 
$500 min. fine for not having it. lol
300 a year for 300k of liability. still a sense of security.
I have worked around cars worth that. It just takes one sh!tty instance. And the legit guys have to compete w/ these uninsured fools. nice
To answer your quest…No it’s not illegal and quite a few WW started out this way.
You do want to get a a cheap General Liability policy in case you break something. (Property not you).
Workman’s comp policies are required by law if you have employees. Now be carful on this. Some unscrupulous insurance companies will sell you a Workman’s comp policy on yourself usually for around $750.00. But the policy is worthless to you.
Bond insurance again is for employees. As a sole proprietor, you cannot bond yourself or immediate family. I read somewhere it’s a federal law since 1985.
Hope this helps.
Good hunting,
P.S.
If workman’s comp is an issue with a prospective client, you can offer to sigh a waiver of liabilty. This protects the client. Homeowners associations use them all the time.
Thanks Todd for the reinforcement. Glad your here
Thanks…(sniff)!..I told myself I wasn’t gonna cry!..(sniff)!
is it the avatar>? I can change it 2 something a little less … lets say sadistic?
No, it’s not you…But I did have a bad experience with clowns once.
Not intending to hijack this thread but just wondered if anyone else had to sign an anti-terrorist clause when they got their GL? I had to sign a paper that says I am not covered should we be under attack by terrorists! OR for an exorbitant amount extra I could be covered for that too! LMAO!
Mine did also.
You must be speaking about workers comp, not liability insurance.
