If your life is hectic and you would like to relieve some stress by hiring a housecleaner to come by once or twice a month to help out. How important is it to make sure that person or company is bonded and insured?
It will turn out to be VERY important if some of your valuables are suddenly missing, the cleaners break something valuable or damage flooring with a cleaning product, If they don’t have insurance, you cannot file a claim against their policy for damages.
For example:
You hire a cleaning lady you saw on Facebook. She does not have business insurance or a bond, but her rates are $20/visit less than the licensed and insured house cleaners. You opt to save the $20. She mops your expensive hardwoods with a cleaning product that ruins the floor. She doesn’t have money to pay for the damages, and you PAID for cleaning services, so filing a claim on your own insurance may or may not be covered. So, you saved $20 by hiring an unlicensed cleaner, but the damages they did resulted in your floors being ruined, a possible homeowners claim, and you paying your homeowners deductible of at least $500… doesn’t make sense does it?
The best way to make sure you don’t end up getting cleaned out by your house cleaner is to ask ANYONE working on or around your home for a copy of their Business License, and Liability Insurance. If they have it, they should have a copy readily available to show you.. or email to you.