Whether you are a large Cleaning contractor, Facilities Management contractor or a sole trader working alone, your business faces a unique range of risks. To ensure your business has adequate protection, it’s important to build a tailored insurance solution that addresses these risks. Our solution can help safeguard your business operations, employees, and finances.

What are the key types of cover for Cleaning and FM businesses?

Public Liability Insurance: Injuries from Slips, Trips and Falls and Accidental Property Damage

Cleaning businesses vary in size and perform different activities, often requiring staff to work across multiple locations. Employees’ tasks can range from cleaning offices and employee workspaces, such as collecting glasses and coffee mugs from desks, to cleaning high surfaces, operating specialised cleaning machinery, or handling hazardous chemicals. All these activities involve certain risks typically associated with the cleaning industry.

One of the most common risks in the cleaning industry is injuries caused by slips, trips and falls. Wet surfaces from recently cleaned floors, rain tracked into the lobby, or spills can often lead to accidents. Moreover, obstacles like boxes, trailing cables, uneven flooring, or poor lighting could contribute to the risks of trips. These incidents can result in serious injuries to members of the public and could also lead to your client’s property damage.

While working on the client’s premises, cleaning operatives may accidentally damage the client’s property. Whether it’s furniture, electronics, or fixtures, accidents can happen even with the most diligent team. Such incidents can lead to costly compensation claims against your business.

Having Public Liability Insurance for a cleaning business is crucial to help safeguard its business and its employees against these risks. This insurance covers you if a member of the public or a client is injured, or their property is damaged while you are working on their premises. Without this cover, your business could face significant financial and legal challenges.

Public Liability also extends to include the Loss of Customers keys, Employee dishonesty, Professional Indemnity and Customers financial loss.

Protecting your Employees with Employers Liability Insurance

If your business employs staff, whether on a full-time or part-time basis, you are legally required to have Employers Liability Insurance. If you hire staff without having this insurance in place, you can face fines of up to £2,500 per day.

Your employees face various risks, including accidents from trips or falls, accidents caused by defective tools or machinery, or occupational illnesses such as asthma. Should an employee suffer injuries or become ill while performing their duties at work, they may claim compensation, which could result in significant costs to you and your business. Employer liability Insurance can help you cover the costs of these claims, mitigating financial strain on your cleaning business.

Property Insurance

Companies cleaning plant and machinery is vital to undertaking daily operations. Property Insurance cover can be provided for accidental damage, fire and theft caused to equipment. This can extend to include stock, computer and portable equipment, office contents and buildings.

Environmental Cleanup Costs Insurance: Chemical Hazards and Environmental Risks

Many cleaning businesses use chemicals that can pose certain challenges to your business. Some hazardous chemicals used in cleaning businesses can lead to serious health issues and environmental contamination. Cleaning operatives who use chemicals in their work run the risk of accidental spills or leaks. If a cleaning company’s activities cause pollution that affects neighbouring properties or public areas, third parties may file a claim against you. Environmental cleanup costs can be financially devastating for cleaning businesses. Without insurance, claims made because of significant spills or contamination incidents could even lead to cleaning company liquidation. Environmental Cleanup Costs Insurance helps cleaners cover financial and legal costs associated with claims made against you; it can also help protect your business’s reputation associated with environmental damage.

Why a Tailored Insurance Solution is Important

Every cleaning business is unique, and the number of factors, such as the size of you company, the services you provide, or your working environment will determine the make-up of your Cleaning Business Insurance solution.

By having the right insurance in place, your cleaning business can focus on growth and success while mitigating the financial impact of unforeseen accidents, claims, or damages.

If you require any further information or free advice regarding your Cleaning Business Insurance, talk to our experienced insurance specialists on 01892 511 144 or email cleaning@dcuk.co.uk.