Almost every window cleaner says they’re insured. Not all of them are. Some never had coverage. Some show a certificate that isn’t real. Some buy a policy to get the paperwork, then cancel it weeks later. You only find out when something goes wrong, and by then it’s your problem. This guide is for homeowners, property managers, condo boards and business owners.
Why it matters to you
- Homeowners: an uninsured company may have nothing to pay for a broken window, a damaged roof or a scratched car. If an uncovered worker is hurt on your property, you could be drawn into the claim.
- Businesses, condo boards and care homes: the WSIB can hold the business that hires a contractor responsible for the contractor’s unpaid premiums if the contractor isn’t covered. That’s why commercial buyers ask for a clearance certificate.
The three common scams
- “We’re fully insured.” Said at the door or online, with nothing to back it up.
- The fake certificate. Edited, out of date or made up. Most people never check.
- Buy it, then cancel it. The certificate still looks fine. The coverage is gone.
What to ask for: window cleaning
- A WSIB clearance certificate. Window cleaning companies with workers in Ontario must have WSIB coverage. Get the certificate yourself, free, from the WSIB website, and get a new one before each season.
- A certificate of liability insurance from the company’s broker, in the company’s exact name, current, with at least $2 million in coverage. Call the broker on the certificate to confirm it’s active.
- Commercial clients: ask to be named on the certificate. Many policies then notify you if it’s cancelled.
- How they work at height. Ground-based poles avoid most of the risk; ladders and ropes come with strict rules under Ontario law.
If they also spray for spiders, ask for more
- An operator licence for the business, from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
- An exterminator licence in the Structural class for the person spraying.
- Vehicle markings: a ministry identification marker on the rear, and a current-year operator sticker.
- Insurance: at least $2 million comprehensive and $1 million pollution coverage.
Operating without the right licences or insurance is an offence, with fines that can reach $20,000 a day. (Pesticides Act, section 43: up to $20,000 a day for an individual’s first offence, $50,000 a day after that; up to $100,000 a day for a company, then $200,000.) Many operators say they have all of this. Ask to see it.
Red flags
- “We’re insured” but no certificate, or “I’ll send it later”
- A certificate in a different name, or expired
- “It’s just me, we don’t need WSIB” when there’s clearly a crew
- Cash only, no invoice, no business address
- A price far below everyone else’s
- For spraying: no licence card and no vehicle marker
Deal with reputable companies
A proper company is glad to show you its papers. Loop is fully insured and WSIB-covered, and we’ll send our certificate of insurance and WSIB clearance before we start. For condo boards, care homes and businesses, they come with your quote.
Ben Slade runs Loop Window Cleaning, a family business based in Bright's Grove that cleaned windows for more than 250 homes from Sarnia to Port Elgin in 2026. About Loop