top of page
Search

How to Tell If Your Exterior Cleaning Company Is Actually Insured

  • Writer: Nick Corbelli
    Nick Corbelli
  • Mar 29
  • 3 min read

Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before any work begins. A legitimate exterior cleaning company will provide this document without hesitation. The COI shows policy numbers, coverage types, liability limits, and expiration dates. Call the insurance agent listed on the certificate to confirm the policy is active. In North Carolina, companies with three or more employees also need workers' compensation coverage.

Why Insurance Matters for Exterior Cleaning

When a crew is pressure washing your driveway or soft washing your siding, accidents can happen. A ladder could scratch a window. A chemical could stain a surface. A worker could slip on your property. Without proper insurance, you could be held financially responsible for injuries or damage that happen on your property during the job.

Homeowners in St. James Plantation and The Bluffs on the Cape Fear have invested significantly in their properties. Hiring an uninsured crew puts that investment at risk. General liability insurance protects your home if the company damages your property. Workers' compensation protects you if a worker gets hurt on your property.

What to Ask For (And What to Look For)

Request a Certificate of Insurance before signing anything or scheduling a start date. A COI is a standardized document issued by the company's insurance agent. It is not something the company creates on their own. Here is what to check on the certificate:

  • Legal business name matches the company you are hiring

  • Policy numbers for general liability and workers' compensation

  • Coverage limits of at least $1 million for general liability

  • Effective and expiration dates showing the policy is current

  • Insurance agent contact information so you can verify directly

If the company hesitates, makes excuses, or offers a verbal promise instead of a real certificate, that is a red flag. A trustworthy exterior cleaning contractor will hand over the document without hesitation.

How to Verify the Certificate Is Real

A piece of paper with numbers on it does not guarantee anything on its own. Take one extra step. Call the insurance agent or company listed on the COI and confirm that the policy is active and in good standing. This takes about five minutes and could save you thousands of dollars.

In North Carolina, businesses with three or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance. If a crew of three or more shows up to wash your house in Wilmington or Leland and they do not have workers' comp, you could face liability if someone gets hurt on your property.

Insured vs Uninsured: What You Risk

What Window Cleaning Wizards Carries

At Window Cleaning Wizards, we carry full general liability insurance on every job in Wilmington, Leland, Hampstead, and the surrounding area. We are happy to provide a Certificate of Insurance before any work begins. Nick and Chris are the only two people who ever step foot on your property, so you always know exactly who is there. Our crew is also background-checked, licensed, and insured.

We understand that homeowners in communities like St. James Plantation and The Bluffs on the Cape Fear want peace of mind before someone climbs a ladder or sprays chemicals near their landscaping. That peace of mind starts with knowing the company is properly insured.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I verify an exterior cleaning company's insurance in Wilmington NC?

Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before the work begins. Review the document for the legal business name, policy numbers, liability limits, and expiration dates. Then call the insurance agent listed on the certificate to confirm the policy is active.

Does North Carolina require exterior cleaning companies to have insurance?

North Carolina does not require a specific license for exterior cleaning companies. However, companies with three or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance. General liability insurance is not legally required but protects both the company and the homeowner from costly damage claims.

What happens if an uninsured crew damages my property in Leland NC?

Without general liability insurance, you would need to pursue the company directly for compensation, which often means small claims court or out-of-pocket costs. If the company is a one-person operation with no assets, you may have no practical recourse at all.

Should I ask for proof of insurance even for a small pressure washing job?

Yes. Even a small driveway cleaning job involves powerful equipment and chemicals. Property damage or injury can happen on any job, regardless of size. A trustworthy company will not hesitate to provide a Certificate of Insurance for any size project.

Asking for proof of insurance is not rude. It is responsible. Call Nick and Chris at 910-727-4336 for a free estimate on exterior cleaning in Wilmington, Leland, or anywhere in the Cape Fear region. We will happily provide our Certificate of Insurance before we ever step on your property.

Comments

bottom of page