Window Cleaning Insurance Requirements in Michigan: What Every Homeowner Should Know

Why Insurance Is the First Thing to Ask About

Before you ask about price, before you check reviews, and before you schedule a walkthrough—ask for proof of insurance. It sounds overly cautious until you understand what happens when an uninsured window cleaner gets hurt on your property or breaks a pane of tempered glass on your bay window. In Michigan, the financial and legal exposure to homeowners can be significant, and many people don't find out until it's too late.

ClearView Exterior Services carries full general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage, and we are happy to provide a certificate of insurance before any work begins. Call us at (248) 252-8909 to request one.

What Insurance Does a Window Cleaner Need in Michigan?

Michigan does not have a single statewide license specifically for window cleaning contractors the way it does for electricians or plumbers, but that does not mean the field is unregulated or that insurance is optional. Any professional exterior cleaning company operating in Michigan should carry at minimum the following:

General Liability Insurance — Minimum $1 Million Per Occurrence

General liability insurance covers third-party property damage and bodily injury. If a window cleaner accidentally drops a ladder onto your car, breaks a window, or damages your siding with a pressure washer, general liability is what pays for those repairs. The industry standard minimum for residential contractors is $1 million per occurrence, with a $2 million aggregate. Some larger jobs or commercial properties require higher limits.

Without general liability insurance, any damage a window cleaner causes becomes a dispute between you and them—and collecting compensation often requires small claims court or a lawsuit. It is a situation no homeowner wants to be in.

Workers' Compensation Insurance

Workers' compensation is arguably the more important coverage from a homeowner's perspective. Under Michigan law, when a contractor is injured on your property and does not carry workers' comp, the injured worker may be able to pursue a claim against you as the property owner. This is not theoretical—it has happened to homeowners in Oakland County and across Michigan.

Workers' compensation covers medical expenses and lost wages for employees injured on the job. If a technician falls off a ladder while cleaning your second-story windows and the company carries workers' comp, their insurance handles it. If the company does not carry it, your homeowner's insurance—or your personal assets—may be on the line.

What Can Go Wrong Without Insurance

• Injury on your property: An uninsured worker who slips on your wet walkway or falls from a ladder could file a personal injury claim against you.
• Property damage with no recourse: A broken window, scratched glass, or a pressure washer gone wrong can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. Without insurance, collecting that money means legal action.
• Subcontractor gaps: Some companies use uninsured subcontractors. Even if the company itself is insured, coverage may not extend to subs working under a separate arrangement.
• Damage disputes: When there's no insurance company adjudicating the claim, disputes over damage become personal—and often go unresolved.

How to Verify a Certificate of Insurance

A certificate of insurance (COI) is a one-page document issued by an insurance company that summarizes a policyholder's coverage. Here's how to read and verify one:

1. Look for the insured's name: The business name on the certificate should match the company you are hiring.
2. Check the coverage types: You want to see both "Commercial General Liability" and "Workers' Compensation and Employers' Liability" listed.
3. Verify the coverage limits: General liability should show at least $1,000,000 per occurrence. Workers' comp should show statutory limits for Michigan.
4. Check the policy dates: The policy must be active on the date the work is performed. A certificate showing an expired policy is worthless.
5. Call the insurance company directly: The certificate lists the insurer's name. You can call them to confirm the policy is active. This is the most reliable verification step.

Do not accept a company's verbal assurance that they are insured. Legitimate, professional companies are accustomed to providing certificates and will do so without hesitation.

Michigan Contractor Regulations and What They Mean for You

Michigan's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) sets workplace safety standards for contractors, including requirements around ladder safety, fall protection, and chemical handling. Reputable window cleaning companies train their staff to meet or exceed MIOSHA standards. Non-compliance creates additional liability risk for both the company and, in some scenarios, the property owner who hired them.

Michigan also requires all businesses operating in the state to be properly registered with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). You can verify a business's registration through the Michigan LARA website before hiring.

ClearView Exterior Services: Fully Covered, Fully Transparent

ClearView Exterior Services carries comprehensive general liability insurance and full workers' compensation coverage for every technician on our team. We do not use uninsured subcontractors. Our certificates are available upon request, and we encourage every customer to verify our coverage before scheduling service.

When you hire ClearView, you are not taking a chance. You are hiring a professional, properly insured company that takes its obligations to customers and employees seriously.

Schedule Your Service With Confidence

Ready to hire a window cleaning company you can trust? Call ClearView Exterior Services at (248) 252-8909 or visit birminghamwindowwashing.com to request a free quote. Ask us for our certificate of insurance—we will send it over the same day.