Solar Panel Cleaning Insurance

Several factors affect insurance premiums for solar panel cleaners during the underwriting process, such as:

• Type of services: The services you offer, such as solar panel maintenance, window cleaning, or gutter cleaning, will affect how much you pay for business insurance.
• Business property and equipment: Expect to pay more to insure a large office, a specialized soft wash system, or expensive drones.
• Business size and revenue: Bigger businesses that earn more revenue are associated with increased liability claims and losses, which raises their insurance rates.
• Business location: Insurance costs can vary based on property values, litigation trends, crime rates, risk of severe weather, and the cost of doing business in your region.
• Coverage limits and deductibles: Higher policy limits cover more expensive claims at an increased cost, while choosing a higher deductible lowers your premium. Remember, your policy won't activate until the deductible is paid.
• Years of experience: A solar panel cleaner who has a decade of experience can expect lower insurance premiums than a new, unproven cleaner.
• Claims history: Insurance companies will charge higher rates for cleaning companies that have previous insurance claims on their record.
• Number of employees: Each additional employee increases premiums because they each bring the risk of an injury or lawsuit.

Solar panel cleaning businesses typically need insurance to operate legally and sign contracts, especially if they have employees or a company van. The specifics depend on factors like your location and the services you provide.

Here are the insurance policies you may need to run your business:

• General liability insurance covers third-party bodily injuries and property damage, such as a contractor who accidentally damages a client's porch while cleaning their solar panels. You might need proof of insurance to rent a commercial space or sign a cleaning contract. Property owners and others may ask to be included in your liability policy as an additional insured.
• Workers' compensation insurance is required in most states for businesses with employees, and occasionally for contractors who work alone. Workers' comp pays for medical treatment if you're injured on the job and provides disability benefits during recovery.
• Commercial auto insurance covers accidents involving business vehicles. Almost every state requires this coverage for vehicles owned by a business.

Every solar panel cleaning company should carry commercial insurance, even when it's not required. Business insurance can pay for costly medical bills, property repairs, and legal fees. In addition, being bonded and insured can help your business win contracts and sign new clients, especially when you're first starting out.

No, you don't need a specific license to clean solar panels. However, to form a business, you may need to get a business license and register with your local government.

If your business takes on additional work, such as installing, repairing, or modifying solar panels, then you may need a license to comply with state laws. For example, California requires a contractor's license for solar panel installation, pressure washing, and building maintenance projects that total more than $1,000 in labor and materials.

Your business must also comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety standards for working at heights and with live electrical systems. A wide range of safety courses and certifications are available, such as the Associate Credential from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

Yes, business insurance can help pay for repairs if you damage a client's property during a cleaning. Specifically, general liability insurance covers property damage caused by common accidents, such as a contractor who accidentally breaks a window with a ladder.

General liability coverage typically includes products-completed operations coverage, which helps pay for legal expenses and damages if a cleaning product or completed project causes property damage or a bodily injury. For example, a client's roof might start leaking after their solar panels were cleaned, which could lead to costly repairs or a lawsuit.

Keep in mind, general liability has a "your work" exclusion that denies coverage for damage to the surface you were hired to work on. For example, a contractor might accidentally damage solar panels by using overly harsh chemicals or excessive force. In this case, your company would be responsible for fixing the panels.

For a comprehensive risk management strategy, businesses that offer solar panel cleaning should consider additional types of insurance, such as:

• Commercial property insurance covers costs if a fire, storm, or burst pipe damages your office or its contents. It also covers theft and vandalism at your business location.
• Business personal property (BPP) coverage insures movable assets, such as computers and cleaning equipment. If you don't have a building, you can add this coverage to your general liability insurance.
• Inland marine insurance, also called tools and equipment insurance, covers water-fed poles, brushes, ladders, and other business property in transit, at jobsites, and stored off-site.
• Equipment breakdown insurance covers cleaning equipment that breaks down unexpectedly, such as a pure water system that suffers a mechanical failure. You can add equipment coverage to your BOP or property policy.
• Professional liability insurance, also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O), helps pay legal defense costs if your business is accused of professional negligence. For example, a solar energy consultant might give poor advice to a homeowner, which leads to them cleaning their panels improperly and voiding their warranty.
• Cyber insurance helps businesses recover from cyberattacks and data breaches, including the cost of complying with state data breach laws.
• Product liability insurance, also called products-completed operations insurance, provides financial protection if a cleaning product causes an allergic reaction or other harm that leads to a lawsuit or damages. It's usually included in general liability insurance.
• Contractors pollution liability (CPL) insurance is a type of environmental insurance that covers risks related to contaminants and pollutants, such as runoff that damages a neighboring property.
• Hired and non-owned auto (HNOA) insurance provides liability protection for vehicles that your business uses but does not own. That includes personal, leased, and rented vehicles.

Owners of solar panel cleaning businesses can take steps to reduce their insurance premiums. Here are several ways to keep your costs low:

• Shop around. Insurance carriers often sell similar types of coverage at different rates. To find a good price, compare insurance rates from trusted carriers with Insureon's easy online application.
• Choose payments that work for you. You can choose to pay your premium once a month or once a year. Some insurers offer a discount when you pay the full annual premium, but business owners may find small monthly amounts easier. You can select a payment schedule that works best for your budget and cash flow.
• Work with an agent. Insureon's licensed agents can help you find coverage that fits your risks and your budget, without any add-ons you don't need. Our insurance agents will navigate the market to find cost-saving bundles and the best rates for your business.
• Keep continuous coverage. Stopping and starting coverage is a red flag for insurers, and may end up costing more in the long run.
• Customize your policies. Lower limits and higher deductibles can reduce your premium, but make sure you can easily afford the deductible, as it must be paid in full before you can collect on a claim.
• Manage your risks. Employee training, safety protocols, detailed contracts, clear communication, and other risk management strategies can help you avoid accidents, injuries, and lawsuits.