What should you tell an insurance broker?
Explain the services you offer, where you work, whether anyone helps you and what equipment or products you use. Include specialty work such as carpets, upholstery or ovens rather than describing everything as general house cleaning.
Tell the broker whether you hold keys, store client access information, transport equipment or use a personal vehicle for business. Ask how changes in services or staffing should be reported.
Which questions are useful?
Ask about accidental property damage, injury claims, work on the item being cleaned, lost keys, equipment loss and deductibles. Request an explanation of exclusions relevant to your activities. Do not assume all damage caused while cleaning is covered by a general liability policy.
Use a practical scenario: “If a product damages a client's stone counter during my visit, which part of this policy responds, and what exclusions apply?” A concrete example can make the answer easier to understand.
What should you keep on file?
Keep your policy documents, broker contact details and renewal information together. If a client asks for evidence of insurance, request the appropriate document from your provider rather than making a broader promise than the policy supports.
Insurance is separate from business registration and local permits. Ontario's business information page includes business insurance resources, and its permit guidance directs businesses to activity-specific checks.
This is a discussion checklist, not an interpretation of a policy or a claim that one coverage package fits every cleaner. Coverage and costs need a quote based on your operation.