Carpet Cleaning/ Upholstery & Janitorial Insurance

Premises liability exposure: This is probably the biggest liability you have since you work on the client's premises. There's always the risk of someone slipping and hurting themselves. There's also the risk of scratching, staining, damaging or breaking the client's belongings. Please use caution signs to warn people when cleaning and mopping an area.

Another problem occurs when cleaners and janitors fail to lock the premises during their cleaning or after completing their tasks. Do you currently have a lock up procedure for your workers? Is there a checklist that is reviewed before leaving the premises?

Crime liability: Employee dishonesty in regards to stealing valuable or confidential information. Take the time to do background checks before hiring and permitting any employee on the clients' premises.

Property exposures: If you store cleaning supplies and equipment at your office or garage, this applies to you. Store all cleaning supplies that may contain flammable chemicals in approved storage containers and cabinets to reduce the possibility of a fire. Keep all dirty rags that have flammable cleaners on them away from anything that could cause a fire hazard.

Inland marine exposures: Janitorial supplies, vacuum cleaners, floor polishers and buffers, and carpet cleaning extractors are expensive to replace. If you carry them back and forth to the jobs on your truck, you will need to protect them from damage or theft. Perhaps you might even store your equipment at your client's site.

Bailees exposure: If you have clients' property in your care, custody, and protection then you may need a bailees customer floater policy. This is designed to protect you in case you damage very expensive furniture, Persian rugs, or drapery.

Automobile exposures: Do you have company-owned vehicles? Then check drivers' records to minimize your risks. Do you have your workers running errands or using their cars for moving equipment and supplies to their work assignment? Please speak to your agent to protect your liabilities here.

Workers' compensation exposure: If your workers use chemicals and cleaning agents they are allergic to, there may be side effects like lung, eye, or skin irritation. Teach your workers about the correct way to move and lift heavy equipment like floor polishers and furniture. Common injuries include slipping, lifting, back injuries, hernias, sprains, and strains.