Orlando, Fla.—When you own a Janitorial Service business you are also exposed to certain risks that could result in a lawsuit. For example— let’s say that you forget to put the “caution wet floor” sign up after mopping. As a result multiple people slip and get injured— you could be held accountable for their injuries and medical expenses. That, in insurance terms, is called Third-party bodily injuries.

Other risks may include:

Property Damage 

One of your employees accidentally damages the expensive hardwood floor on your client’s property using  the wrong product. Needless to say, you could be held accountable for all replacement/repair expenses.

Damage to your equipment 

If some of your necessary equipment and tools break down, your source of income will be lost until it is fixed or replaced.

Chemical exposure

When chemical products are stored or used in an improper way, it may cause pollution, which could get your business exposed to a lawsuit.

Employee injuries 

When one of your employees gets injured while performing his/her job, you are responsible and your business is liable for their medical expenses. You must keep in mind, this type of work is labor-intensive and your employer are also exposed to accidents anytime. Florida workers compensation laws were created to ensure that employees who are injured on the job are provided with fixed monetary awards. It eliminates the need for litigation, creates an easier process for the employee, and helps control the financial risks for employers. Many states limit the amount an injured employee can recover from an employer.

So, if you are the owner of a Janitorial Service in Florida, what kind of insurance coverage do you need?  We always recommend that you talk to one of our local specialists here at GARZOR who will listen to your business' particular scenario to work on a strategy to keep you safe and well protected at all times.

Let’s talk about the basics for any type of business

• General liability—Unfortunately for every Florida business owner, the chances of getting sued have dramatically increased in the last decade. General Liability insurance can prevent a legal suit from turning into a financial disaster by providing financial protection in case your business is ever sued or held legally responsible for some injury or damage. You need property and general liability insurance to minimize the basic financial risks of running a business. 

• Commercial auto—As a small business owner, you need some of the same insurance coverage's for the company cars, trucks, vans or other vehicles you use in your business as you do for vehicles used for personal travel. A commercial auto insurance policy is required under most circumstances when a vehicle is used for business purposes and meets certain other requirements. If you have a personal umbrella liability policy, there's generally an exclusion for business-related liability. Make sure you have sufficient auto liability coverage.

• Workers' compensation—To protect employers from lawsuits resulting from workplace accidents and to provide medical care and compensation for lost income to employees hurt in workplace accidents, in almost every state, businesses are required to buy workers compensation insurance. In Florida, as mentioned before, it is required by law. Workers compensation insurance covers workers injured on the job, whether they're hurt on the workplace premises or elsewhere, or in auto accidents while on business. It also covers work-related illnesses.

Of course your type of business has additional options of insurance protection you may want to discuss with your agent, like: pollution coverage, supplemental property insurance coverage endorsement and a janitorial bonding insurance combined with employee dishonesty bonds.

At Garzor Insurance our experienced professionals are dedicated to providing commercial insurance coverage for businesses in Florida as well as Georgia, Texas, and now many other states across the U.S.A. If you have questions about business insurance, or any other commercial insurance aspects, please do not hesitate to visit us online at Garzor Insurance, or you may want to call us directly at (321) 206-8035. 

Mariana Morante

Licensed Insurance Agent