Insurance tip for cleaning crews: covering client property damage

Been in the cleaning biz for 15 years now, mostly residential jobs, and Jersey contractor life means dealing with old houses everywhere that hide all sorts of surprises. Last month I had a crew member knock over a $800 antique vase while deep-cleaning a foyer with the Hoover commercial vac, and my general liability policy kicked in without a hitch. If you're skimping on insurance thinking nothing bad happens with just mops and buckets, think again, especially with heavy-duty stuff like floor buffers or carpet extractors. Get at least $1M coverage for property damage, and make sure it includes your tools and any rented equipment. We've had to file claims for scratched hardwood from a misplaced steam cleaner, and it saved my ass twice already. Don't wait for a lawsuit over a spilled bleach bottle to learn this the hard way.

Fucking insurance companies are the real thieves here, jacking up premiums every year while barely covering shit when you need it. Had a similar mess with a client's marble countertop etched from the wrong cleaner, and they dragged their feet for months.

Man, that vase story hits home. I got hit with a $500 claim last year for a ripped curtain during window cleaning, and my policy barely covered half after the deductible. Switched providers after that crap, but rates still suck.

Same boat, bro. Dropped a client's fancy lamp trying to vac under the couch, and the claim process was a nightmare but at least it got sorted eventually. Fingers crossed we don't get burned too bad next time.