When we talk of a cleaner’s job, we generally associate it with people carrying a bucket and a mop. But there are various types of jobs associated with a cleaner like cleaning of windows, dusting the furniture, mopping up the floor etc. In general when a cleaner is employed for the sole purpose of cleaning a home, it involves rather simple jobs. The most difficult part of this job would probably be getting up on a ladder and cleaning the windows with a chamois cloth.

Need for insurance for cleaners

But dangers lurk in even this simple a job since any damage to the house owner’s furniture, glassware and other things can result in a claim being raise on the cleaner concerned. There is also every chance of a member of the family slipping up on water sloshed from the bucket of the cleaner. In this instance too the cleaner might find a claim slapped on him.

On the other hand for cleaner jobs associated with commercial complexes and other skyscrapers are of extreme danger to the cleaner. These jobs involve cleaning of the external glass covering of the building while dangling from a safety harness quite some distance above the ground. Because of the imminent danger associated with this aspect of the job, the cleaners should mandatorily opt for a cleaner’s insurance.

Type of insurance that cleaners can opt for

There are basically three very important types of insurance policies that cleaners should opt for especially if they are self-employed. These two policies together are able to provide all-round coverage for the cleaner concerned so that he does not face any financial hassle in case he:

  • Is slapped with a claim for damage to property,
  • Becomes liable to pay for medical expenses incurred by the client due to an accident resulting in physical injury,
  • Has to fight against a litigation which is unfair and
  • Has employees helping him in the day to day operations.

Employer’s liability insurance

This insurance has a legal mandate attached to it which immediately comes into effect the moment a cleaner starts to keep employees. Hence it is best to opt for this policy irrespective of the number of employees present with the self-employed cleaner. The consequences or actions which the cleaner might have to face if this rule is not adhered to, might have far reaching negative consequences, which had best be avoided.

Insurance for loss of house/premises keys

It is a general rule that any cleaner who is entrusted with the job of cleaning a house or some other premises, would be given a set of keys with which to enter into the same. This is especially true when the job entails entering the client’s establishment when there is no one in the house. The loss of keys policy acts as a safeguard in instances the keys are accidentally lost by the cleaner. The costs incurred in changing the locks and other security features, are generally covered in this.

Public liability insurance policy for cleaners

A key element of this policy is the availability of public liability cover for the self-employed cleaner. Public liability insurance for cleaners policy takes care of claims related to damage to property as well as any physical injury incurred by the cleaner’s client. In addition to this, the cleaner’s public liability insurance policy also protects the cleaner from any harm incurred by people when working in a public set-up like a restaurant, shopping mall etc.

The premium which needs to be paid to keep the business insurance policy active is dependent on the risks involved in the cleaner’s business and the coverage that the cleaner is looking for. If the coverage is high, the premium amount will also be quite high. Also if the cleaner’s job involves more risks than normal, he will need to opt for a policy with a higher coverage and thus will have to pay a higher premium. Hence it is very important to realistically understand the risks involved and calculate the coverage approximately required on the basis of real facts so that optimum amount of protection can be received from thee policy.

However, if a self-employed cleaner takes into account the compensatory amount he might have to pay in order to settle claims raised against accidents occurring in the course of his work, he will be able to understand that opting for an insurance premium is any day a much better option.

Author

Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X