Insurance

tlc

New Member
Haven't started the business yet but am considering, just wondering where I can get some information about the type of insurance I need to carry. I am greatly anticipating getting into the business and really enjoy this forum and all the information. I plan to do this myself and do not plan on hiring anyone to help at this time. By the way I looking at only doing residential decks and driveways. Any help is appreciated!
 

CaroliProWash

New Member
Insurance 101:

First rule - get it! Joe Walters is probably your best source for General Liability. email: joe@jwagency.com He can also cover your equipement - very important cause if something happens to your rig and you're not covered, you're out of business.

Check with your state about Worker's Comp. I know you said you're not getting employees and technically as the owner you're not covered anyway, BUT, there are some smart homeowners out there that know that if you get hurt on their property, they are responsible if you don't carry WC. Also, if you want to do any kind of work for a contractor, ie washing new houses - you will likely have to have it so you don't fall under his policy as premiums are based initially on payroll. If you don't provide your certificate, when they get audited, they pay for you - they don't generally like that.

Insurance is a rotten nasty evil - but it's better to be protected than to lose everything. One last note, general liability pays for ACCIDENTS, ie, your extension wand gets loose and goes through a window...covered. Not knowing what chemicals will do what or what damage too much pressure can cause.......falls under ignorance and they won't pay for that.

My contact information is listed if you ever want to get in touch with us directly :)

Celeste
 

PressureForce

New Member
Joe Walters is probably the best place to get your insurance - but beware of one thing with those guys.... PWNA nor XXXXXXXXXX Systems are the end-all, be-all of this industry.

I like Joe a lot, but must say he pushes the whole PWNA and DCS1 trying to make you believe they are the only sources for anything in this business.

(Celeste - now you see why I don't jump at round tables and private chapters. )
 

CaroliProWash

New Member
I only suggested Joe Walters because his quote for my coverage was $1000 less per year than my local agent......worth the call IMO. There was a noticable difference when talking with their office - he writes many many PW policies and knows more about them than most local offices since we're not an enormous industry that the insurance folks want to deal with.

For what it's worth, PWNA nor D lco was ever mentioned during any of our phone calls, however, if membership lowered my premium any at all rest assured I would use it to keep my $$ in my pocket.

Celeste
 

PressureForce

New Member
Don't get me wrong - Joe insures us - our rigs and our trucks and he is indeed the easiest guy out there to deal with for our industry. If it sounded like I was knocking him - forgive me - I'm 100% a fan of his!

I'm just saying there's not much question those three are in pretty tight with one another.
 

onecallpowerw

New Member
Try a company called Colony Insurance Group. This is who we have ours through. We pay less than a $1000 for 1 Mil Liabiltiy and that is with a personal injury clause.
 

CaroliProWash

New Member
We have the same company at present (Colony) Ours is sitting at nearly $2K annually. The number of years in business has a bearing on your premium as well I think. Gordon, you're over a decade in, right? We're only two so they see us as a higher risk which may contribute to our increased premium. They will however, provide some of the squirrelly additional insured documentation that we have needed for some of our commercial accounts (additional charge there as well).

Celeste
 

Joe Ragsdale

New Member
Celeste,

Certainly not intending to pry into your business, but having recommended
Joe's coverage to tlc and then stating to onecallpowerw that you're currently with Colony, does Colony offer better rates or coverage than Joe, or is there another reason that you chose to sign with them? Again, not meaning to pry into your business, but I, too, am looking to purchase insurance coverage this week and want to get the best coverage possible for my business. Thanks for the info.

Joe
 

onecallpowerw

New Member
You could be right....

You could be right. We just surpassed our 9th. We have had State Farm for a many a year and then they stopped coverage. We have only been with colony for a year now.
 

tlc

New Member
Thanks for the information. Look forward to discussing other items as they arrive. Again thanks for the help!
 

CaroliProWash

New Member
Not having many secrets, I will admit that yes, I recommended Joe Walters because I did get a lower quote. I am with Colony because I was a slack tail and didn't get all of my paperwork in order before my renewal came up! I do intend to switch my coverage by the end of the month :)

Moral of the story - when you find something that's truly a good deal - don't procrastinate!

We also checked with State Farm and there is not an agent in NC that will even entertain the idea of covering PWers. Congrats on your time in service Gordon!

Celeste
 

Mike Gwas

New Member
Does this JW have garage policies ????? Liabiltiy insurance is cheap but if you have to drive trucks to wash them then a liability policy will "NOT" cover you.... Beware all of you fleet washers...... If you drive em you must have a garage policy.......
 

PressureForce

New Member
Mike - you can get insurance on any / all of it. Through Joe we have a 1mil liability plus full coverage on both rigs and trucks. When I was initially getting my quote from Joe - he specifically asked me if we were going to be cleaning and moving other people's vehicles - so apparently this will play a factor.

I think things that will detemine your liability rate are experience (but it's actually not that huge) - what you are cleaning and if you are climbing ladders - especially ones higher than 12 feet off the ground. Apparently insurance pays lots of claims where ladders were involved. :)

To a semi-newbie washing basic residential stuff, surfaces and other non-vehicle items you should be able to get liability for $700 - $1000 a year for $1 mil coverage.
 

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