Advertise insurance?? Also Website

[Power Clean]

Has anyone considered advertising to the public, especially residential, the amount of insurance you carry on your work?? I was thinking if you advertised on a flyer etc. having $1,000,000 liability insurance or whatever, would that attract more business? Would that help to prove to the customer that your work is guaranteed enough?

I guess there could be a downside and maybe fuel more claims. But if your work is the professional, why should we worry.

Your thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Also, I had difficulty getting my website site available. However it is now available but presently in skeleton form and currently under construction. Hopefully, it will be completed soon. Looking for comments, yea or na.

Thanks, Roy




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Power Clean of America, LLC
www.powercleanofamerica.com

 

[Jon Fife]

hi powerclean,

i have maybe one or two people a year ask me if i have ins., and i only work residental. i dont think it would make a difference one way or another. let me throw another idea at you----instead of flyers, try magnets. the 3.5x4 inch kind. i started out with them this year, and getting alot of business. the calls come in progressively, not just the next day. and people really do keep them on a fridge or filing cabinet. people that have called me this year say that they never call people from flyers, it seems to fly-by-night. but they love that my magnet doesnt blow off and they have to chase it down, and it looks very professional, and they figure that if i spent the necessary money to make something like this, then i should be responsible. figure 30 cents per magnet. mine simply have my business name, a before and after pic of a deck, a catchy saying, and a phone number, all of this surrounded in a wood background. working well for me, may be something to consider. dont hesitate to call me if have any questions.

jon fife
nashville, TN
(615)837-3663

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[Tim]

Let me put my $.02 worth in.
I realize that this subject has been argued over and over, but when someone reposts it, I think it needs reiterating.
It DOES make a difference to both HAVE insurance as well as advertise the fact. A home/business owner wants to KNOW and have the reassurance that you are responsible enough in business to provide protection BEFORE a problem arises not after, even if they don't "ask you for it!" Go ahead. Tear something up and see what their first question is? It's too late to get insurance AFTER the incident, then you risk at the very least doing the job for free and hoping that you aren't sued for the damages. Why not just show them up front that you have it. Notice that I said "SHOW" them. Too many of these weekend warriors say that they are "licensed and insured" in their advertising, and play the odds, hoping they aren't asked to show proof. If you're legit in business, then why be afraid to make it known? Are you proud of your profession? The work you do? The name you're tryng to build?
Here's what I do........when I go out to give a proposal/bid, I provide the prospective customer with following things:

* Proposal/bid sheet
* Business cards (minimum 2...they might have friends)
* Copy of my Commercial Liability Insurance certificate
* Copy of the business license for the city/county I'm working in.
* A flyer about my company and what services I provide

In the area where I work, there are MANY "power washers" who think a business is just having a cheap machine and a phone/pager. So I educate my prospective customers about what the pressure washing industry is and isn't. True, some homeowners dont care about all the business image, licenses, insurance, etc they just want the job done for cheap...UNTIL there's damage, then they DEMAND that you be the business they SHOULD have called to begin with.
Let me tell you this.......if you are sued here's how things will proceed most of the time. You (company) will be named responsible for __________(damages), $_______(cost), and associated fees. Your actions WILL NOT necessarily be judged based on what you did or didnt know, but what another business professional in your same line of work would do in the same or similar circumstances. They will go find several people/companies who makes a living doing this business and ask them about what you did. THAT'S when people start to sweat (a jury by peers). Then all you can hope for is a lenient judgement.
So, I say, just advertise it up front. IF you have insurance, you're much better off and more respectable than those who don't.

Good luck.
Tim

Sorry for the long post.

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Tim Srader
X-Stream Kleen

 

[Power Clean]

Tim,

I appreciate your post. After reading your post, I had to go back and re-read my own post to make sure I stated the question as I meant. The question was not whether one should advertise they have insurance but rather to "advertise how MUCH insurance you have" The two questions are very different. I agree that some people will gamble on advertising as such, but in fact not carry any at all. Your policy with your estimate presentation is quite appropriate. To be honest though, I never thought in presenting my business license.

Thanks, Roy

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Power Clean of America, LLC
www.powercleanofamerica.com

 

[Tim]

Roy, I missed the part about "how much". My apologies if I came on as being accusatory. It wasnt intended as such. But that (insurance)is something I, and many others here, believe strongly in.
Now to comment on your original question........."how much insurance to have/advertise for residential?" That would depend on the locale you work in I would think. If your area has BIG $$$ homes, I would suggest having insurance to cover that type of home. But if you work in areas where homes are $100k or less, then MAYBE less would suffice. MAYBE!!
Its always important to have to have too much instead of not enough.
I carry $1 million per occurence/$2 million aggregate liability insurance. This amount allows me to work commercial work since that seems to be the minimum required before most businesses will consider you, and is enough for any homeowner that I tell. Always gets a a surprised look from them which allows me start "educating" them on what to look for in power washing company. It may help them understand that you are more than likely here to stay instead of here today, gone tomorrow. The difference in price between $500,000 and $1 million is only about $150-$200 for me.

Good luck.
Tim


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Tim Srader
X-Stream Kleen