How to verify insurance for care, custody, and control

To protect your business from the significant costs of accidental damage to the properties you are staging, you must confirm that your Public Liability insurance includes a 'Care, Custody, and Control' (CCC) extension. Most standard insurance policies only cover damage to third-party property that you are not actively working on; this specific extension is vital because it covers the property you are being paid to handle and improve.

Why standard Public Liability is not enough

In the insurance world, standard Public Liability is designed to cover accidents involving 'third parties.' For example, if you were carrying a lamp and accidentally knocked over a passer-by in the street, you would be covered. However, many policies contain an exclusion for 'property in the care, custody, or control of the insured.'

As a home stager, the house you are working in is legally considered to be in your 'care' for the duration of the project. If you were to scratch an expensive wood floor, stain a carpet, or chip a wall while moving furniture, a standard policy might reject your claim because the damage happened to the property you were contracted to work on. The CCC extension removes this exclusion, ensuring you aren't left paying for expensive repairs out of your own pocket.

Steps to verify your cover

Follow these steps to ensure your business is fully protected before you step onto a client's property:

• Check your current policy schedule: Look for the 'Exclusions' section of your Public Liability policy. If you see phrases like "excluding property being worked upon" or "property in the insured's care, custody, or control," you likely lack the necessary cover.
• Speak with your insurer or broker: Contact your insurance provider directly. Use the specific terminology: "I need to ensure my Public Liability policy includes an extension for Care, Custody, and Control of property."
• Explain your business model: Tell the insurer exactly what you do. Explain that you bring furniture into homes and move items around. This helps them understand the level of risk and provide the correct endorsement.
• Verify the indemnity limit: Check the maximum amount the insurer will pay for a CCC claim. This is often a lower sub-limit than your main Public Liability cover (e.g., your main cover might be #2 million, but the CCC extension might be limited to #25,000 or #50,000). Ensure this limit is high enough to cover potential damage to high-end flooring or fixtures.
• Get it in writing: Once confirmed, ask for a revised Policy Schedule or a Letter of Indemnity that clearly states the extension is active.

Relatable Example: Imagine you are staging a luxury penthouse and a heavy marble coffee table slips, cracking a bespoke floor tile. Without the 'Care, Custody, and Control' extension, your insurer could argue that because you were in charge of the room at the time, the damage is your personal financial responsibility.

Best practices for home stagers

Even with the right insurance, you should always take preventative measures. Before starting any work, take high-quality 'before' photos of the property, specifically focusing on the condition of floors and walls. If you spot pre-existing damage, point it out to the client or estate agent immediately and document it. This prevents unfair claims against your insurance later on.