Getting around Ins. Problems
- Thread starter rfitz
- Start date
Michael Cappa
Member
Paradise, nothing against you, but I don't think I would get too much commercial work with only 25 k in liability ins. I have 1 mil and some property managers told me to come back when I up my coverage, which I have done this year.
ron p
i pay $2000 for basic liability and $1200 for buissness[$1,000,000.00]
$1.60 per gal for fuel
It's been below 20 deg and not above 32 for about 2 months now[everything is snow covered]
Im almost ready to go out of buissness and i hav'nt even got started.
Reg. on the truck due next month $240.00
I think im going to put the CO in the wife's name and pay into unemployment so i will be able to collect in the winter.
Im 38 years old and have never seen an unemployment check in my life.
very discourging to even think about.
i pay $2000 for basic liability and $1200 for buissness[$1,000,000.00]
$1.60 per gal for fuel
It's been below 20 deg and not above 32 for about 2 months now[everything is snow covered]
Im almost ready to go out of buissness and i hav'nt even got started.
Reg. on the truck due next month $240.00
I think im going to put the CO in the wife's name and pay into unemployment so i will be able to collect in the winter.
Im 38 years old and have never seen an unemployment check in my life.
very discourging to even think about.
ParadiseProWash
Member
I dont do commercial pressure washing I only do residential. I wash houses, and do wood restoration. Sweeping their is no water involved so I dont have to worry about that either. The reason I dont do commercial work is because I dont have hot water or a reclaim unit which I have no intentions of buying. I wonder if you had a claim on your insurance however you were suppose to be reclaiming water if they would still pay. I dont know and I dont want to find out. I know its not alot of coverage and my insurance broker told me whenever I wanted to up it I could. For right now and what I do I think that is enough. I know Walmart and Kroger and the bigger commercial jobs on sweeping require one million coverage however I dont have contracts with them right now either. I dont see the point in paying it right now when they do not require it. If someone slips and falls on residential work it will prob. be the owner as I dont let anyone near the work area except him or her. Maybe I should get higher insurance what are your thoughts on the subject knowing what I just told you.
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Michael Cappa
Member
Strictly residential...If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Maybe you could ad in your contract you are not responsible for slip and falls after you leave the job site. If you go into commercial, more $$ there, I would up you ins.
John Orr
Member
Paradise,
Just a thoiught...When I first bought insurance, I told my agent that "I wanted insurance". He said he could get me 300K for $X and I agreed. Fortunately, he did some additional checking and I wound-up with $1M for the same premium.
Apparently, some insurers have minimum premiums - $1 coverage costs the same as $1M! Ask your agent if you are paying the minimum premium, and if you are, are you getting the most coverage for that $$?
Just a thoiught...When I first bought insurance, I told my agent that "I wanted insurance". He said he could get me 300K for $X and I agreed. Fortunately, he did some additional checking and I wound-up with $1M for the same premium.
Apparently, some insurers have minimum premiums - $1 coverage costs the same as $1M! Ask your agent if you are paying the minimum premium, and if you are, are you getting the most coverage for that $$?
Why can we not join togethor and get a group rate on insurance?
Lots of Contractors - ONE Voice.
Can we not contact for example Joe Walters and say - Hey we have about 200 contractors that are searching for cheaper rates -
Can you help us or should we check somewhere else?
Where is the "One Voice" in this industry? A voice that will make it happen for the contractors in this industry.
**With these boards and round tables - the Networking is there!
ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) offers insurance, health, etc.
Lots of Contractors - ONE Voice.
Can we not contact for example Joe Walters and say - Hey we have about 200 contractors that are searching for cheaper rates -
Can you help us or should we check somewhere else?
Where is the "One Voice" in this industry? A voice that will make it happen for the contractors in this industry.
**With these boards and round tables - the Networking is there!
ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) offers insurance, health, etc.
Michael Cappa
Member
Sounds like a good idea to me, who wants to make the calls?
Nothing against them, but I thought that was one thing the PWNA was supposed to do as an organization. Like I said, nothing against the PWNA.
Nothing against them, but I thought that was one thing the PWNA was supposed to do as an organization. Like I said, nothing against the PWNA.
I'll be the first to join any organization that can offer a benefit like cheaper rates on insurance, health, etc.
One Voice - no matter who it is - just a voice that represents the contractors. A Voice that can help the contractor save money.
Power are in numbers. These comments are not directed to the PWNA. I'm looking for any organization that can keep money in my pocket - & then I will put money in that organizations pocket (dues, etc).
Do you really need a organization with a bunch of overhead. Can you not just have a group of people banned togethor with a common purpose with one voice.
An organization that calls that equipment and chemical salesman & saids "I got a group of 200 contractors - Will your give a discount on purchases or should we contact someone else?"
It don't have to be one chemical wholesaler that everyone has to buy from - A list can be created with as many wholesalers that wants the members business.
One Voice - no matter who it is - just a voice that represents the contractors. A Voice that can help the contractor save money.
Power are in numbers. These comments are not directed to the PWNA. I'm looking for any organization that can keep money in my pocket - & then I will put money in that organizations pocket (dues, etc).
Do you really need a organization with a bunch of overhead. Can you not just have a group of people banned togethor with a common purpose with one voice.
An organization that calls that equipment and chemical salesman & saids "I got a group of 200 contractors - Will your give a discount on purchases or should we contact someone else?"
It don't have to be one chemical wholesaler that everyone has to buy from - A list can be created with as many wholesalers that wants the members business.
ParadiseProWash
Member
Extreme I know their is more money in commercial work. However I like wood restoration and I enjoy doing house washing. I am part time in this business and I have to stay that way for now. I have two daughters with heart problems and I cant get insurance by myself so I have to work for the other guy for health insurance. I bought a Tymco 210 sweeper last yr in hopes of getting into the commercial market with that. I have customers with it however I am in the country in TN were their are farmers and just good ole people who could care less about that concrete in front of their place. They do like their houses cleaned and decks done though. I also only have a cold water pressure washer so I dont go after the oily greasy work I am happy with what I do and I like it.
Commercial Work...?
About the commercial market, I have been selling it for about 6 months
now and I cant even come close to what Delco says you should charge
They say for using a surface cleaner you can get 10 cents a square foot,
and just spraying the surface off about 5 cents a square foot, the problem
is companies dont know the difference and dont care. my competition
is only spraying the surface off and charging between 1-2 cents a sq. foot
They have a $500 home depot PW , use no chemicals, get up no stains
or gum and the companies are fine with that, they only look at the
bottom line. I have talked with alot of companies and they are all the same.
Now here is the difference, with residential (homeowners) you are dealing
with their biggest investment they will ever make and take pride in the
appearance of their home, Deck, Roof, Fence etc... and you can explain
quality of your equip. the difference of a good company, the diff. it will
make their house look etc.. so they will pay higher rates for great service..
Another PW company here in St. Louis, told me that is why he doesnt advertise in the Yellow pages, he tried for a few years and found out people
looking in their are usually price shopping and usually go with the lowest bid
Now he does only Val pak, and says he does pretty good. ?
Any Feedback on all of this:
About the commercial market, I have been selling it for about 6 months
now and I cant even come close to what Delco says you should charge
They say for using a surface cleaner you can get 10 cents a square foot,
and just spraying the surface off about 5 cents a square foot, the problem
is companies dont know the difference and dont care. my competition
is only spraying the surface off and charging between 1-2 cents a sq. foot
They have a $500 home depot PW , use no chemicals, get up no stains
or gum and the companies are fine with that, they only look at the
bottom line. I have talked with alot of companies and they are all the same.
Now here is the difference, with residential (homeowners) you are dealing
with their biggest investment they will ever make and take pride in the
appearance of their home, Deck, Roof, Fence etc... and you can explain
quality of your equip. the difference of a good company, the diff. it will
make their house look etc.. so they will pay higher rates for great service..
Another PW company here in St. Louis, told me that is why he doesnt advertise in the Yellow pages, he tried for a few years and found out people
looking in their are usually price shopping and usually go with the lowest bid
Now he does only Val pak, and says he does pretty good. ?
Any Feedback on all of this:
Michael Cappa
Member
Paradise, I understand. I am sorry about your daughters and hope it is either under control or cured soon. I can't imagine to understand what you go through, but I can say I am sorry. As to the business, if you like what you are doing then stick with it and I think for your area, your ins. is fine.
Mike Hughes
Former Board Administrator
Morgan,
So, the $25,000 was not a typo? I presumed you meant to say $250,000.
I know someone whose pressure washer caused a house to catch on fire..........a total loss.........$300,000 damages. What would you do with your $25,000 policy then??
You'd lose everything you have and will have. I hope you'll be on the phone doing some insurance shopping in the near future.
Best of luck with all you do.
So, the $25,000 was not a typo? I presumed you meant to say $250,000.
I know someone whose pressure washer caused a house to catch on fire..........a total loss.........$300,000 damages. What would you do with your $25,000 policy then??
You'd lose everything you have and will have. I hope you'll be on the phone doing some insurance shopping in the near future.
Best of luck with all you do.
ParadiseProWash
Member
Mike are you for real about that. For one I have never thought about that happening I guess I need to call my insurance guy and up it a bit. Just curious what did he do to cause the fire.
oneness
Member
I'm sure this isn't the same story, but at our Atlanta Roundtable meeting, one of the guys there that does wood restoration told us a similar story. The short story is that while his crew was working on restoring a deck, the pressure washer had vibrated itself around so that the exhause was right up against the house. It had burned a hole through the siding and had ignited a fire in the wall. The house survived, but the garage was damaged. He was very glad he had sufficient insurance. Even a small fire can cause a lot of damage when you factor in smoke damage, etc etc.
Mike Hughes
Former Board Administrator
You never know what can happen............any freak thing is possible. Do what it takes to protect yourself.
Justin
Member
Insurance solutions
Paradise and whoever else,
You might as well not be insured if it is only 25,000 or even 250,000. Just throw that policy out the window because they aren't enough.
If you accidently hurt someone or property, you will be sued. The insurance is in place so you can protect yourself and your personal property.
For example, you accidently hit and kill someone with your sweeper. My friend, 25,000 will not be enough. They would have your ass too. 1 million may not be enough.
Being underinsured is one of the most common and foolish business decisions that people make. It's the agents fault for not educating their customers.
I am going to make it a point to dig into the insurance a little more and see what I can do about getting everyone a good rate with one company. Too many people have asked and many are not educated by the agents. I will take this on and get back asap.
I will get a package deal on insurance if I can get some takers. Please email me if you are interested in this and send me your current coverage amounts and your rates and I will gather up all information and seach for everyone for the best rate.
Looks like we are going in the right direction.
Paradise and whoever else,
You might as well not be insured if it is only 25,000 or even 250,000. Just throw that policy out the window because they aren't enough.
If you accidently hurt someone or property, you will be sued. The insurance is in place so you can protect yourself and your personal property.
For example, you accidently hit and kill someone with your sweeper. My friend, 25,000 will not be enough. They would have your ass too. 1 million may not be enough.
Being underinsured is one of the most common and foolish business decisions that people make. It's the agents fault for not educating their customers.
I am going to make it a point to dig into the insurance a little more and see what I can do about getting everyone a good rate with one company. Too many people have asked and many are not educated by the agents. I will take this on and get back asap.
I will get a package deal on insurance if I can get some takers. Please email me if you are interested in this and send me your current coverage amounts and your rates and I will gather up all information and seach for everyone for the best rate.
Looks like we are going in the right direction.
Like you said in an earlier post Justin, his insurance agent was blowing smoke up his ass.
Generally speaking agents don't know sh*t about insurance. They are sales people. They have a few policies to offer through underwriters. This will be the third time I have switched auto policies and been through five agents in the last year and a half. Every one of them could not answer my questions right away, they always had to check with their underwriters. I feel we need to be proactive in educating ourselves when it comes to insurance.
Generally speaking agents don't know sh*t about insurance. They are sales people. They have a few policies to offer through underwriters. This will be the third time I have switched auto policies and been through five agents in the last year and a half. Every one of them could not answer my questions right away, they always had to check with their underwriters. I feel we need to be proactive in educating ourselves when it comes to insurance.