Cleaning Business Insurance
FOR BICSc MEMBERS
As a trusted insurance broker with over 100 years of experience, Darwin Clayton specialises in arranging tailored insurance solutions to members of the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc). By partnering with us BICSc members benefit with professional advice, favourable pricing and insurance solution designed specifically for cleaning companies.
Call us on 01892 511 144 to speak with our friendly team of specialists. We are here to help you arrange a cleaning insurance solution tailored to your business needs.
Why Get Cleaning Business Insurance Through Darwin Clayton?
We know your industry inside out and can help you tailor an insurance solution covering your business’s unique risks. At Darwin Clayton, we have been helping cleaning businesses get the specialist insurance protection they need for most of our 100+ years . We’ve been members of the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) since their formation. By partnering with us, you will also benefit from the following:
- Cleaning business insurance solution for BICSc members tailored to your cleaning company requirements
- Favourable pricing for BICSc members
- Professional Indemnity (PI) Insurance limit for BICSc members is automatically increased to £250K compared to the standard £100K
- A dedicated Account Executive
- Assistance should you need to make a claim
- Being kept up to date with the latest industry advice and guidance
As you can see, your business insurance is in excellent hands with Darwin Clayton
Their team’s unwavering dedication and expertise have proven invaluable to us as a business, and special thanks go to James Shaw, Simon Henderson and Robert Barden for their assistance with the high-risk requirements at some of our key and global footprint client sites."
What is Cleaning Business Insurance?
Cleaning business insurance helps protect your business against accidents and liabilities that may occur during your operations. Each cleaning business has unique needs, but common policy elements include:Â
- Public Liability Insurance
- Product Liability Insurance
- Employers’ Liability Insurance
- Professional Indemnity Insurance
- Property and Business Interruption Insurance
- Environmental Cleanup Costs Insurance
What Does Insurance for Cleaning Contractors Cover?
Every cleaning business is unique, and your cover should reflect the services you offer and your working environment.
At Darwin Clayton, we can arrange a policy specifically for your business’s needs. The standard covers we arrange for BICSc members include:
Public Liability for cleaning contractors covers your business if you or your employees are held liable for accidental injury to your clients, customers, or the public or for damage to their property because of your business’s activities.
Some of the incidents that could happen during your cleaning operation are slips on a washed floor, trips over equipment cables, spills in your client’s property, or if your equipment is stolen or damaged.
The cleaning contractors’ insurance we arrange includes cover for Damage to Property Being Cleaned including Treatment Risks. So, if you accidentally damage a carpet using the wrong chemical treatment, this will protect you against the cost of repair or replacement. Not all policies offer this level of protection.
If the products you supply to customers cause damage or injury, you could be held liable in the event of the claim.Â
As an employer, you are responsible for the health and safety of your employees whilst at work. Employers’ Liability Insurance (EL Insurance as it’s also known) of £5m is a legal requirement if you have any staff. Businesses that hire people without having this insurance cover can face fines of up to £2,500 for each day they are uninsured. If your employee is injured or becomes ill because of the work they do for you and they bring a claim for compensation against your business, you will be protected.
This cover provides protection against loss of money, stock or property sustained from the dishonest or fraudulent act of an employee.
If you’re entrusted with a client’s keys, and you lose them, this will cover the cost of replacing the keys and a change of locks if necessary.
Financial Loss Insurance covers your business against losses which you become legally liable to pay as compensation, plus costs and expenses for accidental financial loss where no damage has occurred.
If you offer any consultancy or advisory services in cleaning methods, facilities management practices or products, then Professional Indemnity – or PI Insurance – is important for protecting your business. As a BICSc member you automatically benefit from an increased Professional Indemnity limit of £250K compared to the standard £100K and it can be increased further. Â
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As with any insurance policy there are terms and exclusions, we will discuss this with you during the quotation process.
Additional Covers for BICSc Members
You may need additional covers added to your insurance solution to fit your cleaning business requirements.Â
Options for these include:
Covers the expenses associated with cleaning up pollution or contamination of a property, where this was sudden, identifiable, unintended and unexpected. Environmental clean-up insurance covers the costs of investigating, remediating, and restoring a site that has been contaminated by pollutants or hazardous materials. This can include expenses for soil, water, and air remediation, as well as removal and disposal of contaminants.
Covers your office contents, computer equipment, trade plant and machinery, stock, and buildingsÂ
Covers financial losses following an incident such as fire or flood, protecting your business should you incur additional costs to continue trading to your previous level.
This covers physical loss or damage to specified plant, equipment or stock anywhere in the UK.Â
This cover will protect your business from losses and damages resulting from acts of terrorism.
Optional Covers for BICSc Members’ Cleaning Business
Cyber-attacks in the UK are on the rise. According to the 2024 Cyber Security Breaches Survey conducted for the UK Government, half of UK businesses reported experiencing some form of cyber security breach or attack within the past 12 months. That’s why considering a Cyber Insurance quote becoming more important for a modern business.
Also known as Directors & Officers or D&O Insurance. Management Liability Insurance for BICSc members covers the cost of any compensation claims made against your directors, officers, or high-ranking management for alleged wrongful acts. Claims could be made by disgruntled employees, clients, investors, stakeholders, and even regulators and could involve civil, criminal, or regulatory proceedings. Management Liability Insurance can also cover any legal costs that arise for directors in defending their case.
With the many risks faced by businesses, seeking legal advice and formulating legal documents, such as employment contracts, can be time-consuming and expensive when the services of solicitors and other legal experts are engaged. Legal Expenses cover not only offers the services of legal representation but also provides free legal advice on a range of legal problems and access to a suite of helpful documents.
This insurance cover includes three core elements:
- A separate cover for your Computer Equipment
- Contractors Plant covers your machinery
- As your equipment should be inspected regularly, this policy covers you for Statutory Inspection Service
This cover offers you a loss adjuster to work on your behalf to investigate and present your property and business interruption claim to the insurer. This cover can be invaluable if your business suffers a serious loss following a flood or fire.
If one of your employees has an accident, and it leads to temporary or permanent disablement, or even death, a benefit payment will be made. Business travel can also be added to this cover. Â
- Motor Fleet Insurance covers your multiple vehicles on a single policy. It can be a mix of vehicles, including vans, cars, and trucks.
- Uninsured Loss Recovery Insurance pays for a solicitor to pursue a guilty third party for recovery of your uninsured losses such as policy excess, hire vehicle charge, loss of earnings; as well as costs to pursue a personal injury claim.
 - GAP Insurance will cover the outstanding balance of a finance or lease agreement on your motor vehicle following its write-off or up to 25% of the write-off value.
If a customer fails to pay you for services or products, whether it’s due to insolvency, refusal, or inability to pay, Credit Insurance will indemnify your losses. The insurance will also provide insights into customers credit ratings and what limits of credits to offer.Â
Cleaning Contractors Insurance FAQs
It’s important for cleaning contractors to get the right insurance. To help you do that, here are our cleaning business insurance frequently asked questions.
We hope they are helpful, but if you’d like any advice, please call us on 01892 511 144. Our friendly team are here to help.
Cleaning Business Insurance is not a legal requirement unless you have employees. In that case you will need at least £5m of Employers’ Liability Insurance – that is a legal requirement. Having insurance in place not only ensures your operations are protected against claims or financial impact but also demonstrates professionalism and enhances credibility with clients, helping you win contracts.
Your specific insurance needs may vary depending on the service your cleaning business offers and your client’s needs. Some of the typical covers we arrange are Public Liability, Including Damage to Property Being Cleaned and Treatment Risks, Fidelity Guarantee, Employers’ Liability, Product Liability, Professional Indemnity, and Business Interruption Insurance.
Unexpected events like accidents, damage to property, or injuries to third parties can happen and can lead to financial loss. Having the right insurance can help protect your cleaning business from legal and financial liabilities.
Getting a quote is easy. You can call us on 01892 511 144, and our friendly team of professionals will help you find the protection you need. We understand your industry, and we will work with you to design insurance cover to suit your cleaning business’s requirements.
That will depend on the level of protection your business requires, your annual wages and turnover, what equipment you have, your claims history, etc. However, as a member of BICSc you will get favourable pricing for your cleaning business insurance. If you would like to get a cleaning business insurance quote, call us on 01892 511 144 or start your quote here.
Like some more cleaning business insurance help?
If you’d like some help with your cleaning business insurance, please give us a call on 01892 511 144. Our team of insurance professionals will be happy to help you get the protection you need and offer you a cleaning business insurance quote.