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Business Insurance For Cleaners

Compare business insurance quotes with Savvy to find the best policy for your cleaning business.

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, updated on July 26th, 2023       

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We’ve partnered with BizCover to bring you a range of business insurance policies to help you compare them side by side.

Life can get messy sometimes, which cleaners know all too well. Whether you clean commercial buildings, homes, windows or clothes, it’s very easy for accidents to happen, which is why insurance for all types of cleaners is vitally important. 

You can compare business insurance quotes for cleaners right here with Savvy. Just answer a few simple questions about your business and the type of insurance you need and you’ll have a range of offers from some of Australia’s top insurers to consider side by side. Compare with us to help you get the best-value insurance for your cleaning business today

What types of insurance should I buy for my cleaning business?

No matter what sort of cleaning you do, there are several different types of insurance you should consider to cover your business risks. They are:   

Public liability insurance 

Public liability insurance is essential for anyone in the cleaning business, whether that’s cleaning houses or offices, window cleaning or dry cleaning clothes. Public liability will cover you against claims that your cleaning activity caused injury to a member of the public or damaged their property. It’s easy for a customer to accidentally trip over a power cord, which could lead to a claim for personal injury. 

In addition, despite being very careful, house and office cleaning can frequently lead to unintentional and accidental breakage of fragile items (or damage to expensive clothes if you’re a dry cleaner). This insurance can offer between $5 million and $20 million worth of coverage and is compulsory for cleaners in many situations, particularly if you wish to tender for government cleaning contracts for offices, schools and universities. 

What it covers:  

  1. Damage to a third party’s property 
  2. Third-party personal injury claims
  3. Legal fees to defend yourself

Business equipment insurance 

General property or portable business equipment insurance will cover your cleaning tools and equipment if they’re damaged or stolen. This can include vacuum cleaners, hand tools or ladders and lifters if you clean at heights. 

What it covers: 

  1. Fire, storms, theft, vandalism and collision
  2. Specialist cover for electronic equipment and other portable cleaning equipment
  3. Limited business interruption insurance

Personal accident and illness insurance  

Since you rely on your physical fitness to be able to clean effectively, taking care of your health should be a high priority for all people who earn their living by cleaning. Accident and sickness insurance can provide cover for you if you become sick and are unable to work, with a weekly replacement income available if you’re unable to work as a result of an accident or injury.  

What it covers: 

  1. Loss of income as a result of an injury or illness

 Optional extras can include: 

  1. Death benefits
  2. Disablement benefits
  3. Payment of business expenses during your recovery period

What generally isn’t covered under business insurance for cleaners?  

The most common general exclusions include: 

  1. Injury to yourself or your employees
  2. Flood damage
  3. Unlawful activity or criminal negligence
  4. Reckless behaviour or intentional damage
  5. Anything to do with asbestos
  6. The effects of pollution caused by your business activity 

How much will my cleaning business insurance policy cost? 

There is no set cost for an insurance policy, as each applicant is different and faces unique risks. There are many factors that can influence the cost of business insurance, including the following factors: 

  • The state you’re in 
  • Whether you live in a rural or urban area
  • Whether you’re a sole trader, self-employed, in a partnership or running a business
  • Your business size and turnover 
  • Whether you have any employees
  • The type of cleaning or dry cleaning you undertake
  • Your credit history 
  • Your insurance history 

The main factor which will affect the cost of your insurance is the industry you’re in. All businesses in Australia are classified according to the risk their industry poses, and are allocated a risk ratio. These ratios are used by insurers to calculate the comparative risk of any one business compared to another.  

You can find out how much insurance will cost for your cleaning business by comparing quotes right here with Savvy. Whether you need insurance for window cleaning, dry cleaning or cleaning homes and offices, you’ll be able to find a policy that is perfect for your business needs right here.

Why do I need insurance for my cleaning business?

Cleaning can be a dangerous business, particularly if you’re a window cleaner and work on ladders and at heights. It makes sense to want protection just in case something does go wrong and you suffer a fall or injury. General business insurance will protect your cleaning equipment and accident and illness insurance will protect your income just in case you do get hurt. It’s there to ensure your income continues just in case you do suffer an accident or get sick. In addition, public liability insurance will protect your business from third-party property or injury claims. 

Most small to medium-sized businesses have some contingency funds, but these are rarely sufficient to cover the cost of a major catastrophe. For example, if your business in Sydney involves cleaning offices and someone is injured by slipping on a wet floor, you could potentially face an expensive personal injury claim. However, if this does happen and you have adequate public liability insurance in NSW to protect your business, you’ll have a much better chance of recovering quickly.

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Frequently asked questions about business insurance for cleaners

What information will I need to make a claim?

The information you should have to hand when you contact your insurance company to make a claim will include: 

  • The name of the policyholder, your policy number and start date (which can be found on your Certificate of Currency)
  • A detailed description of the incident or what happened to cause the damage, accident or injury, including specific dates and times
  • Contact details of any other parties involved or witnesses to the event
  • Details of your police report number if a crime took place
  • Details of the property including its age and value if you’re claiming for property damage or loss
  • Your bank details for settling the claim
Are my cleaning business insurance premiums tax-deductible?

Yes – the Australian Taxation Office recognises that having business insurance is a legitimate cost of doing business, so the full cost of your insurance premiums can be claimed as a business expense and offset against your income. This applies to the business insurance premiums for many other tradies and handymen too.

How often will I have to pay my insurance premiums?

You’ll be able to choose how often you pay your insurance premiums. You can either pay upfront all in one go for the year or in monthly instalments. Paying your insurance premium annually is usually between 5% and 10% cheaper than paying monthly, so if you’re in a position to do so, it could be worth paying for your policy in full upfront.

Is glass breakage usually included in general property insurance for cleaners?

No – glass breakage is typically excluded from general business insurance packages, but it's often offered as an optional extra. Because glass breakage is such an important consideration for many cleaners, it’s well worth considering this as an additional extra to your business insurance so your bases are covered.

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Disclaimer:

Savvy is partnered with BizCover Pty Ltd (ABN 68 127 707 975, AFSL 501769) to provide readers with a variety of business insurance policies to compare. Savvy earns a commission from BizCover each time a customer buys a business insurance policy via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased from these brands directly, as all purchases are conducted via BizCover.

Savvy does not compare all business insurance policies or providers currently operating in the market. Any advice presented above or on other pages is general in nature and doesn’t consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an insurance policy.

For any further information on the variety of insurers compared by BizCover or how their business works, you can read their Financial Services Guide.

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