Essential Insurance Coverages for Laundromat Owners: A Guide by Brooks Waterburn
Operating a laundromat is about more than keeping washers and dryers running—it’s about managing people, maintaining equipment, handling cash flow, and preparing for the unexpected. Whether you own a single location or a chain of self-service laundry centers, the right insurance coverage can mean the difference between bouncing back from a setback—or closing your doors for good.
At Brooks Waterburn, we specialize in helping laundromat owners navigate the complex world of business insurance with customized coverage that protects your investment and secures your peace of mind.
1. General Liability Insurance: Your First Line of Defense
Why It's Needed:
General liability insurance protects you from claims of bodily injury or property damage caused by everyday operations. Spilled detergent, slippery floors, malfunctioning doors—these seemingly minor incidents can result in costly lawsuits.
Real-World Example:
A customer slips on a wet floor and suffers a back injury. Without coverage, you could be liable for thousands in medical bills and legal expenses. General liability insurance helps shield your business from these risks.
Brooks Waterburn’s Approach:
We don’t just plug in generic limits—we assess your foot traffic, floor plan, and operating hours to recommend a policy that reflects the true risk level of your business.
2. Property Insurance: Safeguarding Your Physical Investment
Why It's Needed:
Your laundromat is full of high-value assets—washers, dryers, folding tables, coin dispensers, and more. Property insurance protects these from damage due to fire, storms, vandalism, or theft.
Real-World Example:
A fire breaks out in your back room and damages 10 machines. With the right property insurance, repairs and replacements are covered, allowing you to reopen faster and without out-of-pocket costs.
Brooks Waterburn’s Insight:
We factor in the age of your building, location-based risks (such as flood zones or high-theft areas), and the value of your equipment to craft coverage that’s thorough and reliable.
3. Business Interruption Insurance: Income Protection When You Need It Most
Why It's Needed:
If a fire, flood, or other covered disaster forces you to close temporarily, business interruption insurance helps cover lost income and ongoing expenses like rent and employee wages.
Real-World Example:
After a storm causes flooding, your location must shut down for 6 weeks. Business interruption coverage steps in to cover your income losses, preventing the closure from becoming permanent.
Brooks Waterburn’s Benefit:
We help you calculate your average monthly revenue and fixed expenses to ensure your policy reflects your real business needs—not just a ballpark estimate.
4. Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Don’t Let One Machine Bring You Down
Why It's Needed:
Laundromats are heavily dependent on machinery. A mechanical breakdown of your largest washer or boiler system can mean major repair costs and lost revenue if customers go elsewhere.
Real-World Example:
Your water heating system fails unexpectedly. Equipment breakdown insurance covers not just the repairs, but also the loss of income during downtime.
Brooks Waterburn’s Advantage:
We evaluate your critical machinery and help you build a policy that ensures minimal downtime, fast repairs, and strong financial recovery.
5. Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Protecting Your Team and Your Business
Why It's Needed:
If you employ attendants, cleaners, or maintenance staff, you’re legally required to carry workers' compensation insurance. It covers medical treatment, lost wages, and disability benefits for work-related injuries.
Real-World Example:
An employee injures their wrist while lifting a heavy laundry basket. Workers’ comp covers treatment and partial wages, keeping you compliant and your employee protected.
Brooks Waterburn’s Support:
We align your policy with state requirements and payroll levels to ensure you're protected against lawsuits and government penalties.
6. Crime Insurance: Coverage for Internal and External Threats
Why It's Needed:
Beyond theft from break-ins, laundromats may face internal theft from employees or fraudulent activity involving customer transactions.
Brooks Waterburn’s Insight:
We recommend adding crime insurance to cover dishonest acts by employees or losses due to counterfeit bills, helping you mitigate financial loss and preserve customer trust.
7. Cyber Liability Insurance: Digital Protection for Modern Laundromats
Why It's Needed:
If your laundromat offers online bookings, accepts card payments, or stores customer information, cyber liability insurance is essential. A data breach could expose sensitive customer data, leading to lawsuits or regulatory fines.
Brooks Waterburn’s Perspective:
We help you assess your digital exposure and recommend affordable cyber insurance policies that protect your reputation and finances in the digital age.
Customized Solutions for Laundromats of All Sizes
At Brooks Waterburn, we don’t offer cookie-cutter policies. We offer solutions designed specifically for laundromat businesses. Whether you operate a 24/7 urban location or a small neighborhood spot, we take the time to understand your operations and the risks you face—then recommend a custom insurance package that fits your exact needs.
We go beyond policies—we become your partner in protection.
Start the Conversation with Brooks Waterburn
Insurance can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. At Brooks Waterburn, we make the process simple, transparent, and tailored to you. Let us help you secure the essential coverage you need so you can focus on running and growing your laundromat.
Contact us today to learn more about our laundromat insurance packages—and discover what it’s like to work with a partner who truly understands your business.
