as the title says. I’m about to get some quotes for insurance and need to know what kinds of questions I should ask.
I got one before thanksgiving for $560 for a year for $1m. is 1m over kill for window cleaning?
You might want to ask what is covered by the policy, as most policies do not cover damage to the glass itself. $1m is not overkill, it is the minimum most companies will write a policy for. Most property management companies will require at least this amount, if not more.
Ask if the vehicle is covered.
I think 1M shows your legitimate, although you could easily get a way with a 500K policy. 1M will get you into just about about restaurant, shopping center or low rise building.
I’ve found most of the Brand Owned hotels will require at least 2M damage and 1M on vehicles, although if they are franchised its up to the owners. For high security areas like airports they want a 5M policy.
I’ve been rolling with 1M and its covered everything for me, with the exception of an airport job that I didn’t get anyways.
Ask about Care Custody and Control. Its an additional coverage that covers what you are working on. Some policies are written to cover accidental damage (ladder falls damages car kinda thing) My opionion is that if I have to ever use my GL insurance, It will be more likely to have been on something that I was actually working on (like scratching a window). Basic GL most of the time doesnt cover what you are working on. Most insurance agents wont tell you either. Care Custody and Control should cost peanuts to add on to your policy.
Steve
why are these agents asking questions like it’s a job interview?
two of the main ones are,
- how long have I been in business
- what is my experience.
I get a little bit irritated with these kinds of questions because I’m waiting for them to say “we can’t cover you because you don’t have enough experience” or something.
I’m not applying for a job…I just need insurance.
the next agent that asks those questions is going to have to answer them to me…I want to know the financial background of the insurance company before I sign. I want to hear or see the reaction I get when asked the same idiotic questions.
Those questions are standard, and it’s more of the underwriters that want to know that information then the insurance agent. An auto insurance agent ask the same questions basically. They want to know how long you have been driving, if you have had any accidents before, if you have taken any defensive driving courses, I’ve heard of some even running a credit check.
So it makes sense that a company who is going to back you up with a million of their dollars is asking you a few basic questions.
You are purchasing a service whose price structure is based upon risk assessment. They require pertinent information to manage their risk.
Don’t you consider factors such as experience when contracting the services of others (i.e. mechanic, plumber, electrician, carpenter, etc.?)
well I got the quote from the 2nd agent looks like the best she could get me was $800 a year.
I also asked her about what’s covered…basically ONLY something that I indirectly damage…not what I was under the impression of what this insurance is for.
for example she gave was, If I was a roofer and the roof leaked, the damage to the inside of the house is what I’m covered for.
so I asked what if I damage someone’s window and put scratches in it is it covered…NO! was her answer. what if I damage someone’s yard or lights in the walkway…NO.
what if I damage the siding with my lader…NO.
I was told its not that kind of insurance… and she said basically no one offers that kind of a policy for basic liability. I’d have to get a policy that would be called a workers insurance (or something like that).
any damage I directly cause isn’t covered under business liability she said. that kind of damage is on me to pay for.
does this sound right to you guys?
Yep.
so if that’s true then that kind of insurance is almost useless. I’d rather have something that covers stupid. lol if you know what I mean.
what do you guys get if that’s the case? because it doesn’t sound like that’s the right coverage for anyone to be honest. that’s like having car insurance that doesn’t cover accidents.
Call the company listed on my website. They will hook you up. Roughly $500 Per year for general 1 mil/2 mil. If you want riders on the policy they will ride you for a stepping in dog poo if you want. A good rider to have if you want more coverage, is called “Property of others”. It can cover 25 grand worth of crazy damage. IE if you scratch every window in a home. The reason the damage YOU cause is not covered is because you are supposed to be a professional. Do accidents happen sure. Let’s say you step off your ladder and the wind blows it on the owners car. You’re covered. If you jump off the 3 step from the ladder on your way down and it falls on the owners car. You’re not covered. This insurance is not like car insurance, because with car insurance you’re not considered a PROFESSIONAL driver like a nascar guy would be. But one of the really bad things about insurance, is as mentioned it’s based on risk due to your experience. So in theory after 20 years your insurance should be lower being now you have a ton of experience. But in reality it will prob be double if not triple. This is the cost of being legal. You should not be worry too much about it’s cost as it should be rolling into your rates. The more legal you are the more things cost. This is why many people here get upset with low ballers. Cause they know the odds of the low balling company being covered with all the correct insurance is slim and none. If I decided to make my business illegal I could prob save myself 10% to 15% of my overhead every year. I could put that towards advertising or whatever else I decided too. It’s a cost of doing business but don’t get discouraged cause if you decide to go illegal and you have a problem your going have more issues then you can imagine. Law suits, state, county, local laws and fines etc.
I’ll have to talk to a few other agents. she didn’t mention anything you just mentioned. like property of others. she said I’d be looking at insurance that would be about tripple the quote she gave me.
kind of sounds like she’s not too familiar with any of it.
the other guy asked way more questions. but I assumed things like damages I do is covered. but I guess not. he even asked me why I want that kind of insurance. I told him I was told that’s the insurance to get. and so I can say “I have insurance”
well like i said. Call Brian at my insurance company. Many companys here use them. They are fully up to speed on window cleaning insurance. The props of others is going to cost you about anouther $500 on top of your general. Should be about $1100 per year with general 1 mil / 2 mil coverage, truck, and prop of others plus a bond if you want it. But bonds cant be used for owners of the business. The guys info is right on my main page, #1 tops ten reasons.
why the heck does all these window cleaning sites say to get “basic liability insurance” if it doesn’t really cover anything for the most part?
I’m starting to wonder if they realize they have almost no coverage for 90% of the stuff they touch.
the biggest hurdle I have is now seeing that this might cost over a grand, I do not have that right now. that is a huge commitment for me. and I need to start jan 1st. asap.
I hope they take credit.
Most companies allow for a down payment and monthly installment payments.
You need general liability business insurance as a minimum. Read up about what it is and what it means to a service company. Many WC’ers are covered under a janitorial category. Explain to an agent exactly what you will be doing so they understand your requirement.
I did explain it . because they asked first.
but he was a bit confused why I wanted general business liability insurance. I didn’t get it until today why the confusion, because it doesn’t cover anything we might break. which is what I thought it did.
I’m going over to his office tomorrow if he’s open to talk about what kinds of insurance I need. everyone on here and other sites have listed at least 4 types and no one knows for 100% which one is actually needed.
I want to be actually covered. I don’t want insurance to just say I have it so I can try to use it as an advertisement.
I’ve found out before on a few claims that GL definitely does not cover damages incurred directly from the work you are doing. Someone working for me moved a bench and one leg got caught in a rut in the floor and the bench broke a window. I wasn’t covered because the window he was “intending” to clean was damaged. This was a rude awakening that I wasn’t aware of until then. I had been of the understanding before (erroneously I guess), that only if you are directly in contact with the window are you not covered, such as when I was tilting in the lower sash of a double-hung and the uneven stress on one side cracked the IG unit.
I was covered though, when I asked a homeowner if it was all right for me to move a sofa that was on a laminate floor so I could get my ladder under a skylight to clean it. She gave me permission and the leg scratched the floor. She wanted me to pay and thankfully my insurance paid for me. So GL in my opinion is more to put a client at ease than a blanket protection for you. You still have to exercise extreme due dilligence as a professional. I have a CCC rider and my agent is “pretty sure” it would cover scratching glass, but I’m not about to test it.
Just remember, the risks you take getting into window cleaning will pale in comparison to the rewards if you do your homework and look forward.
Bro listen. Many people know what they need. I have read the whole topic here more then once. The problem is you dont know what you need.
#1 You NEED GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE
Try to get any large accounts without it and see how far you get. It’s NOT going to cover YOU. It covers your clients property and people in case of an accident. Again if you cause the accident because as you stated you do something STUPID. It’s on you. Not your insurance company.
#2 if you want to be covered for more things. Tell the insurance company what you want to be covered for and they are going to either tell you no. Or they are going to charge you. Here’s another issue you may not like with these types of riders on the policys. In most cases the insurance company is not going to pay whatever you break 100%. And rightfully so. If you break a window that is 30 years old and cost $50 back in the 80’s should an insurance company now pay $200 for the replacement? On that note, who is going to pay for any molding or siding that needs to be replaced durring the repair? The insurance company or you? Did you damage the molding or siding? Most cases would say no. It’s just the window that is broken. Well then, again who covers that cost?
General Libility is all you need. Then when you get employees you’re going to need workmans comp. It’s the LAW!!! you have to have it. Wait till you start dealing with that. Then wait till you start dealing with your state in regards to paying wages. Then watch what happens to your general libility policy premiums when you inform them that employees will be driving the truck. It’s the cost of being in business. It is what it is. This is not the 1900’s where as you could do things with a handshake. I love things like this, cause it just makes me think of the employee I had who tought they should get 70% of the job, 4 years ago. They had no idea what is cost to run a legal business, yet when they go about opening up their own shop. They learn really quick that BOSSMAN was not a bad guy after all.
As Larry stated, many times you can get on a payment plan with the insurance companys. The $500 TOTAL cost is pennys compared to the price of some of the jobs you will do this season. And besides like you said. You will not be working until Spring or so. SO then don’t get the insurance now. Get it when you need it and you will be covered for the whole year after. I can pay my insurance off with the first bill. But I don’t I just pay a whopping $90 per month. It’s not a big deal. Now on the other hand here’s something you can do. If you work on a clients home and you have no insurance. Let them know. If they still decide to employ your services you are covered under their homeowners policy. But get it in writing. They will assume all risk, even if you get hurt.
does it cover me if my ladder falls over into a car or if I knock over a computer monitor something along those lines? this is what I’m most concerned about. I know guys that have their own glass shops. so getting a new window isn’t something I’ll have to worry about too much. plus I used to work for a glass shop and can replace the glass. although I know the home owner might not like me doing it and request someone else.
I honestly can’t wait till spring. I’m in a hurry because I have to be.
as soon as my door hanger and post cards come back my walking shoes are getting a work out. and maybe I’ll lose some of this belly lol
