Starting a cleaning business puts you in direct contact with other people’s property every single day. You’re handling expensive electronics, walking on freshly polished floors, using chemicals near valuable furniture, and operating equipment in spaces filled with potential hazards. One slip, one broken vase, one allergic reaction to your cleaning solution, and you could be facing a lawsuit that wipes out everything you’ve built.
Here’s the thing: your cleaning business insurance isn’t just another box to check on your startup list. It’s the financial safety net that keeps your business alive when accidents happen. And they will happen. No matter how careful you are, working in dozens of different properties each week means you’re constantly exposed to risks you can’t always predict or prevent.
In this guide, I’m going to walk you through exactly what insurance your cleaning business needs, how much you’ll actually pay, and how to get covered without overspending. By the end, you’ll know precisely which policies protect you, what they cost in real numbers, and how to secure coverage before you clean your first client’s home.
Do You Actually Need Insurance for a Cleaning Business?
Most states do not require insurance the moment you start a cleaning business, and a solo operator with no employees or company vehicles can technically operate without coverage. The issue is not legality but financial risk, because one accident can cost far more than any policy.
Insurance becomes mandatory once you hire employees, since most states require workers’ compensation at the first hire, and commercial auto insurance is required in every state for any business-owned vehicle.
Many commercial and high-value residential clients also demand proof of liability coverage before signing contracts, which means you cannot pursue profitable work without it.
Even when the law does not require coverage, general liability insurance is essential for solo cleaners working in client homes, because routine accidents—broken valuables, damaged floors, spilled chemicals—create personal financial exposure.
Waiting until you land your first client increases the chance of losing jobs and leaves you unprotected if something goes wrong on day one.
Without insurance, lawsuits can reach your personal assets, and an LLC does not fully shield you from liability. For a modest monthly cost, insurance protects against risks that can bankrupt a cleaning business long before it grows.
What Types of Insurance Does a Cleaning Business Need?
Walking into an insurance provider’s office and hearing about ten different policy types can feel overwhelming. But most cleaning businesses need just a handful of core coverages. Let’s break down exactly what each policy does and which ones belong on your must-have list.
General Liability Insurance (The Foundation)
General liability insurance is the baseline. It protects you when your work causes injuries or property damage and is the coverage clients expect to see before hiring you. It handles third-party bodily injury, property damage, and libel or false advertising claims.
Most cleaning claims involve broken items or slip-and-fall injuries, and the costs add up fast. Clients require proof of coverage because they refuse to absorb losses caused by contractors. The typical policy limit is $1 million per claim and $2 million total. Most cleaning businesses pay about $48 per month.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Workers’ compensation becomes mandatory once you hire employees in most states. Some states require coverage the moment you hire your first worker, while others set thresholds of three to five employees. Texas is the only state where coverage is optional, but operating without it leaves you exposed to lawsuits that exceed what premiums would cost. Workers’ comp covers medical bills, lost wages, long-term disability, and death benefits when employees are injured on the job. Costs vary widely because premiums depend on payroll size and job type.
Commercial Auto Insurance
Commercial auto insurance covers vehicles used for business. Any vehicle titled in your company’s name needs commercial coverage because personal policies exclude business use.
If employees drive their own cars for work, hired and non-owned auto insurance protects your business from liability when accidents happen. Commercial auto premiums average about $173 per month. Hired and non-owned coverage is cheaper and typically runs $30 to $60 per month.
Commercial Property Insurance
Commercial property insurance protects your equipment, supplies, and business assets. Cleaning companies often store thousands of dollars’ worth of vacuums, buffers, chemicals, and tools.
Property coverage reimburses you when these items are stolen, damaged, or destroyed by events like fire, theft, or vandalism. If you rent or own office or storage space, the policy protects your business property inside the location.
Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)
A Business Owner’s Policy combines general liability and commercial property coverage and usually costs less than buying each policy separately.
It also includes business interruption insurance that replaces lost income when property damage shuts down your operations. BOPs work well for small and mid-sized cleaning companies with equipment and a physical workspace. They typically cost between $76 and $129 per month.
Professional Liability and Umbrella Insurance
Professional liability insurance covers claims that your services caused financial harm, such as improper sanitation that leads to inspection failures. Standard residential cleaning businesses rarely need it, but medical facility cleaners, food service sanitation, biohazard cleanup, and restoration contractors should consider it. The average professional liability insurance premium ranges from $49 to $63 per month.
Umbrella insurance adds extra protection when claims exceed your liability limits. It extends coverage beyond your general liability and commercial auto policies and is useful for businesses that want protection against extreme, low-probability losses. Umbrella coverage typically costs anywhere from $30 to $75 per month for an additional $1 million in protection.
How Much Does Cleaning Business Insurance Actually Cost?
Understanding insurance costs in real numbers helps you budget accurately and avoid overpaying. Insurance premiums vary based on dozens of factors, but industry data reveals clear patterns about what cleaning businesses actually pay.
General Liability Insurance Costs
According to data from major insurance providers, general liability insurance for cleaning businesses typically costs between $30 and $60 per month for basic coverage. The median cost sits at approximately $48 per month, or $580 annually.
However, costs vary significantly based on your specific type of cleaning business. House cleaning services typically pay toward the lower end of the range, around $44 per month. Commercial janitorial services pay slightly more, averaging $48 to $55 per month. Specialty services like pressure washing businesses pay higher premiums, often $65 to $75 per month, because of elevated property damage risks.
Carpet cleaning businesses fall somewhere in the middle, with average premiums around $50 to $60 per month. Window cleaning services also pay moderate premiums, typically $50 to $65 per month, depending on whether they clean at heights.
Insurance marketplace data reveals that 53% of cleaning businesses pay less than $50 per month for general liability insurance. Another 33% pay between $50 and $100 per month. Only 14% of cleaning businesses pay more than $100 monthly for general liability coverage.
This distribution shows that most cleaning businesses secure adequate general liability protection for modest monthly premiums. For standard $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate coverage limits—the amounts most clients require—expect to pay $30 to $80 per month, depending on your specific business characteristics.
Workers’ Compensation Costs
The median workers’ compensation insurance premium for cleaning businesses is $136 per month, or approximately $1,627 annually. However, this median masks substantial variation in actual costs.
About 36% of cleaning businesses pay less than $100 per month for workers’ comp. Another 31% pay between $100 and $200 monthly. Roughly 20% pay between $200 and $300 per month, and 13% pay more than $300 per month.
Workers’ comp premiums are calculated as a rate per $100 of payroll. Cleaning industry workers’ comp rates typically range from $1.50 to $4.00 per $100 of payroll, depending on your state and specific cleaning services. A business with $100,000 in annual payroll might pay $1,500 to $4,000 annually for workers’ comp coverage.
Workers’ compensation insurance costs vary dramatically by state because each state maintains its own workers’ comp system. California, New York, and Florida tend to have higher workers’ comp costs. States like Indiana, Wisconsin, and Arkansas typically offer lower workers’ comp rates. The difference between high-cost and low-cost states can easily be 100% or more for identical coverage.
Total Insurance Costs by Business Size
A solo house cleaning business typically needs only general liability insurance and possibly commercial auto coverage. Total monthly insurance costs for a solo operator average $50 to $90.
General liability runs $30 to $50 per month for $1 million/$2 million coverage. If you drive to client locations regularly, add $20 to $40 monthly for a business auto policy endorsement or hired/non-owned auto coverage.
A small cleaning business with two to five employees needs general liability, workers’ compensation, and possibly commercial auto insurance. Total monthly insurance costs for small teams average $200 to $400.
General liability costs $40 to $60 per month. Workers’ compensation runs $100 to $200 per month, depending on payroll and state. Commercial auto or hired/non-owned auto adds $40 to $70 per month if employees drive for work.
Larger commercial cleaning companies need comprehensive coverage, including general liability, substantial workers’ compensation, commercial auto for multiple vehicles, commercial property, and possibly umbrella insurance. Total monthly insurance costs for established commercial operations average $600 to $1,200 or more.
These costs reflect businesses with $500,000 to $2 million in annual revenue employing 10 to 30 workers. General liability or BOP runs $100 to $200 per month for higher coverage limits. Workers’ compensation costs $300 to $600 monthly for larger payrolls. Commercial auto costs $150 to $400 monthly for multiple vehicles. Umbrella insurance costs $30 to $75 monthly.
What Factors Affect Your Cleaning Business Insurance Cost?
Insurance companies evaluate dozens of variables when calculating your premium. Understanding the major factors that influence cost helps you make informed decisions.
Geographic Location
Where you operate your cleaning business significantly impacts insurance costs. Workers’ compensation costs vary most dramatically by state. California, New York, Illinois, and Florida consistently rank among the highest-cost states for workers’ comp. Alaska, North Dakota, and Indiana typically offer the lowest rates.
General liability insurance also varies by location. According to recent industry data, Alaska offers the lowest general liability premiums for cleaning businesses at around $114 monthly on average. New York has among the highest average premiums at approximately $155 monthly.
Operating in urban areas typically increases insurance premiums 10-20% compared to rural locations. Cities have higher property values, more traffic, greater crime rates, and more frequent insurance claims. A cleaning business in Manhattan pays considerably more for general liability and commercial auto insurance than an identical business in rural Wyoming.
Type of Cleaning Services
Different cleaning services carry different risk profiles, directly affecting insurance premiums.
Residential Cleaning Business
Residential cleaning businesses typically pay slightly lower general liability premiums than commercial cleaning operations. The average house cleaning service pays around $44 per month for general liability, while commercial janitorial services average $48 to $55 monthly.
Pressure Washing Business
Pressure washing businesses pay significantly higher insurance premiums than standard house or office cleaning services. Pressure washing businesses average $75 per month for general liability insurance—roughly 50% more than standard house cleaning. These services involve elevated risks from high-pressure equipment capable of causing significant property damage and serious injuries.
Biohazard Cleanup
Biohazard cleanup, crime scene cleaning, and post-construction cleaning represent the highest-risk segment. These services require specialized training, involve exposure to dangerous materials, and carry substantial liability potential. Biohazard cleaning businesses might pay $100 to $200 monthly for general liability insurance—two to four times standard residential cleaning rates.
Coverage Limits and Claims History
The coverage amounts you select directly impact your premium costs. Most cleaning businesses choose between $1 million per occurrence with $2 million aggregate coverage or $2 million per occurrence with $4 million aggregate coverage. The higher limits typically add 20% to 40% to your premium.
According to insurer data, approximately 85% of cleaning businesses choose the $1 million coverage limit, finding it adequate for their needs and budget. If you currently pay $50 monthly for $1 million/$2 million general liability coverage, upgrading to $2 million/$4 million might cost $60 to $70 monthly.
Deductibles represent the amount you pay out-of-pocket before insurance coverage kicks in. Typical deductible options range from $500 to $2,500. Choosing a $2,500 deductible instead of a $500 deductible might reduce your monthly premium by 10% to 20%. On a $50 monthly premium, this saves $5 to $10 per month or $60 to $120 annually.
Your past insurance claims directly impact future premium rates. Filing an insurance claim typically increases your premiums for three to five years. A single minor claim might increase premiums 10% to 20%. Multiple claims or one major claim can increase rates 30% to 50% or more.
Conversely, maintaining a claims-free history can qualify you for good account discounts ranging from 5% to 15% depending on the insurer and how long you’ve maintained clean records. Some insurers offer these discounts after just one year without claims.
Employee Count and Equipment Value
Employee count directly affects workers’ compensation costs since premiums are calculated based on payroll. More employees mean higher total payroll, which translates to higher workers’ comp premiums. Each additional employee typically adds $50 to $150 monthly to workers’ comp costs depending on wages and your state’s rates.
The total value of equipment and supplies you own affects commercial property insurance costs. A house cleaning business with $2,000 to $5,000 in basic supplies pays relatively little for coverage, often $15 to $25 monthly. Commercial cleaning businesses with $25,000 to $100,000 in specialized equipment might pay $50 to $150 monthly.
Each vehicle you add to your commercial auto policy increases premiums proportionally. The first vehicle might cost $150 monthly to insure. Adding a second vehicle adds another $130 to $150 monthly. A third vehicle adds another $120 to $140 monthly.
Cleaning Business Bonding: What It Is and When You Need It
Bonding and insurance are often mentioned together, but they’re fundamentally different forms of protection serving different purposes. Understanding bonding helps you know when you need it and how much it costs.
The Difference Between Insurance and Bonding
Insurance protects your business from financial losses. Bonding protects your clients from your business’s failures or wrongdoing. This fundamental difference determines who benefits when claims are filed.
A janitorial bond, also called a surety bond or fidelity bond, is a three-party agreement between you, your client, and a surety company. The bond guarantees that if your business or your employees steal from a client or fail to complete contracted work, the client receives compensation up to the bond amount.
When a client files a valid claim against your bond, the surety company investigates and, if the claim is legitimate, pays the client for their loss. However, you then must reimburse the surety company for the amount paid. The bond acts as a guarantee to the client, not as insurance that protects you.
Most janitorial bonds require proof of wrongdoing, typically a criminal conviction, before paying claims. A client can’t simply claim something is missing and receive payment. They must provide evidence, file a police report, and often wait for legal proceedings to conclude.
Bonds exist primarily to protect clients, not cleaning businesses. When a client sees you’re bonded, they know that if an employee steals jewelry or cash from their property, they’ll be compensated for the loss even if you can’t afford to pay out-of-pocket. This protection makes clients more comfortable hiring cleaning services.
From your business perspective, bonding provides marketing value and helps you win contracts, but it doesn’t protect your assets the way insurance does. You’re still financially responsible for any losses covered by the bond. Most surety companies require business owners to sign personal guarantees making them personally liable for bond claims.
When Bonding Is Required
Most states don’t legally require cleaning businesses to carry surety bonds. Unlike workers’ compensation insurance or commercial auto insurance, bonding is typically optional from a regulatory standpoint. However, some states do require bonds for businesses providing certain types of services or bidding on government contracts.
Many commercial clients require bonding before they’ll award cleaning contracts. Property management companies, commercial building owners, medical facilities, government offices, and schools commonly require proof of bonding in addition to proof of insurance.
These clients view bonding as essential protection against employee theft. They often require specific bond amounts—commonly $1 million to $2 million—written into their service contracts. Without meeting these bonding requirements, you can’t even bid on the contracts.
Government entities at federal, state, and local levels almost universally require bonding for service contracts including cleaning services. These bonds protect taxpayer money and ensure contractors fulfill their obligations. Government contract bonds typically require higher amounts than private sector bonding.
How Much Bonding Costs
According to insurance marketplace data, the median janitorial bond costs approximately $10 to $11 per month, or $120 annually. This covers typical bond amounts of $50,000 to $100,000.
Bond premiums are typically calculated as a percentage of the bond amount, usually 0.5% to 2% annually depending on your creditworthiness and business history. A $100,000 bond at 1% costs $1,000 annually or about $85 monthly. A $500,000 bond at 1% costs $5,000 annually or approximately $420 monthly.
Cleaning businesses with strong credit and clean business records qualify for the lowest rates. Poor credit or past legal issues result in higher bond premiums, sometimes reaching 3% to 5% of the bond amount for high-risk applicants.
Bond amounts typically range from $50,000 to $2 million for cleaning businesses. Residential cleaning services often carry $50,000 to $100,000 bonds sufficient for most individual homeowners. Commercial cleaning services typically need $250,000 to $1 million bonds to meet commercial client requirements.
Obtaining a janitorial bond involves an application process similar to applying for insurance, though surety companies focus more heavily on your creditworthiness and business reputation. The application requires detailed information about your business, and you’ll authorize a personal credit check.
Surety bond underwriters focus on factors that predict whether you’ll be able to reimburse the surety if they pay a claim on your behalf. Credit history is the primary consideration. Business longevity matters because established businesses with track records are less risky than brand-new startups. Clean legal history is essential—criminal records, especially crimes involving theft or fraud, significantly impact bonding applications.
How to Get Insurance for Your Cleaning Business in 5 Steps
Getting insurance for your cleaning business doesn’t have to be complicated. Following a systematic approach ensures you get adequate coverage at competitive rates without gaps or redundancies.
Step 1: Assess Your Coverage Needs
Before requesting quotes, clearly understand what coverage your business actually needs. Start by listing all services you provide and identifying the specific risks each service creates. Basic house cleaning involves chemical exposure, slip and fall risks, and property damage potential. Carpet cleaning adds specialized equipment risks. Pressure washing adds high-pressure equipment risks capable of serious injury and property damage.
Research your state’s mandatory insurance requirements through your state’s department of labor, insurance commissioner’s office, or small business association. Determine whether your state requires workers’ compensation and, if so, at what employee threshold.
If you already have contracts with clients or are pursuing specific clients, review their insurance requirements. Commercial clients typically specify exact coverage types and minimum limits in their contracts. Common requirements include general liability insurance with $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate limits, workers’ compensation as required by state law, and often bonding requirements.
Step 2: Research Insurance Providers
Some insurance companies specialize in small business insurance, including cleaning businesses. Companies like NEXT Insurance, Thimble, Insurance Canopy, and Hiscox focus heavily on small business coverage and offer streamlined online applications designed for service businesses. These providers often offer instant quotes and immediate coverage activation.
General commercial insurance providers like The Hartford, Progressive Commercial, Nationwide, and State Farm also serve cleaning businesses. They might offer broader coverage options and established relationships with local agents, but sometimes at higher prices because they’re less specialized.
Online insurance platforms allow you to get quotes, purchase coverage, and manage policies entirely online, often completing the entire process in 10 to 20 minutes. This convenience works best for straightforward coverage needs. If you have complex operations or unusual risks, local agents provide more personalized service.
Before committing to an insurance provider, research their financial strength ratings and customer service reputation. A.M. Best ratings indicate financial stability—look for ratings of A- or higher. Read customer reviews focusing on claims experiences, since that’s when insurance truly matters.
Step 3: Get Multiple Quotes
Never purchase insurance from the first provider you contact. Getting quotes from at least three to five providers ensures competitive pricing and reveals coverage differences.
Insurance providers need specific information to generate accurate quotes. Prepare business information including legal business name, business structure, years in operation, and federal EIN. Detail your services, estimated annual revenue, employee count and payroll, and location information. If requesting commercial auto quotes, have vehicle details ready including year, make, model, VIN, and driver information.
When comparing quotes, look beyond the premium amount. Verify you’re comparing identical coverage types, limits, and deductibles. A quote with lower premiums but higher deductibles might not actually be more affordable. Check policy exclusions carefully—some lower-cost policies achieve their pricing by excluding coverage for specific situations.
Be wary of quotes significantly lower than competitors—often 30% or more below market rates. Unrealistically low premiums might indicate inadequate coverage limits, excessive exclusions, or financially unstable insurers. Watch for unclear policy language and providers who don’t ask detailed questions about your business.
Step 4: Choose Your Policy
After gathering and comparing quotes, select the policy that provides adequate coverage at a competitive price with a reputable provider. Before purchasing, carefully review the entire policy document, not just the declarations page showing coverage amounts and premiums.
Pay particular attention to exclusions since these define situations where coverage won’t apply. Common exclusions in cleaning business policies include intentional damage, pollution liability, professional services errors, and sometimes damage to property in your care, custody, or control.
Understand your duties if claims occur. Most policies require prompt claim notification, cooperation with investigations, and preservation of evidence. Failing to meet these duties can result in claim denials.
Most insurance policies offer customization options through endorsements that modify standard coverage. Common endorsements for cleaning businesses include additional insured endorsements adding clients to your policy, hired and non-owned auto coverage for employee vehicle use, and equipment breakdown coverage.
Step 5: Purchase and Maintain Coverage
After purchasing insurance, you’ll receive a certificate of insurance proving you carry coverage. This one-page document shows your policy numbers, coverage types, limits, effective dates, and insurance company information. Most online insurance providers issue certificates instantly upon payment.
Many clients require you to add them as additional insured parties on your general liability policy. This endorsement extends your liability coverage to protect the client if they’re sued because of your work. Some insurance providers include this for free for any client who requests it. Others charge $15 to $50 per additional insured.
Proactively share certificates of insurance with all clients who request them. Many commercial clients won’t begin a working relationship until they receive and approve your certificate. Keep digital copies accessible so you can share them immediately.
Review your insurance coverage annually at renewal time. As your business grows, your coverage needs change. Adding employees requires increasing workers’ comp coverage. Expanding service areas might require updating policy territory. Purchasing expensive equipment necessitates increasing property coverage. Don’t wait until renewal—update coverage whenever significant changes occur.
What Happens If You Operate Without Insurance?
Operating a cleaning business without insurance creates exposure to catastrophic financial consequences. Understanding these risks decides to purchase coverage obvious.
Financial Consequences
Without insurance, every liability your business creates becomes your personal financial responsibility. Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs don’t have strong liability protection. When your uninsured business gets sued, plaintiffs can pursue your personal assets to satisfy judgments.
Your house, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement savings, and investment accounts all become targets for collection. If a court awards a $100,000 judgment against your uninsured business, creditors can place liens on your home, garnish your wages, and seize assets until the judgment is satisfied.
One serious lawsuit can force even successful cleaning businesses into bankruptcy without insurance protection. A client suffers serious injuries after slipping on a floor you cleaned and sues for $250,000 to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Without insurance, you must either pay the $250,000 out-of-pocket or file for bankruptcy.
General liability insurance averaging $48 per month prevents this scenario. For roughly $600 annually, you protect everything you’ve built personally and professionally from catastrophic claims.
Legal Penalties and Business Damage
States that require workers’ compensation insurance impose severe penalties for non-compliance. Fines typically range from $1,000 to $10,000 depending on the state and how long you operated without coverage. California fines businesses $10,000 or more. New York assesses penalties up to $2,000 per 10-day period without coverage plus potential criminal charges.
If you sign client contracts requiring insurance but fail to maintain coverage, you breach those contracts. Clients can terminate agreements immediately and potentially sue for damages. Government contracts include particularly strict insurance requirements—violating these can result in contract termination and being barred from future government contracts.
Operating without insurance damages your business reputation. Many established clients conduct annual vendor audits verifying that service providers maintain required insurance. If your coverage lapses, clients discover this during audits and immediately terminate relationships.
Professional cleaning businesses can’t compete for higher-value contracts without proper insurance. Property management companies, commercial building owners, and government entities all require insurance certificates as part of vendor onboarding. You automatically disqualify yourself from bidding on lucrative contracts if you can’t produce required documentation.
Employee Risks
Employees injured on the job can sue employers who don’t carry required workers’ compensation insurance. Without workers’ comp, you lose the protections that prevent employees from suing for workplace injuries. These lawsuits often result in much larger awards than workers’ comp benefits would have cost.
An employee suffers a back injury lifting equipment and requires surgery. Workers’ comp might pay $30,000 in medical bills and lost wages. A lawsuit could result in a $200,000 judgment including pain and suffering, permanent disability, and punitive damages for failing to maintain required insurance.
How to Save Money on Cleaning Business Insurance
Insurance represents a necessary business expense, but strategic decisions and proactive risk management can significantly reduce premiums without sacrificing protection.
Bundle Policies and Pay Annually
Purchasing multiple insurance policies from the same provider typically results in substantial discounts. Business Owner’s Policies bundle general liability and commercial property coverage for 15% to 25% less than purchasing both policies separately. Even policies that can’t be bundled into a BOP often qualify for multi-policy discounts when you purchase from the same provider.
Paying your full annual premium upfront typically saves 5% to 10% compared to monthly payments. A policy costing $600 annually might be offered at $55 monthly for 12 months—$660 total. Paying the full $600 upfront saves $60.
Implement Safety Programs and Maintain Clean Records
Proper chemical handling training for all employees reduces injury risks and can qualify you for 5% to 10% discounts on workers’ comp and general liability premiums. Training should cover reading safety data sheets, proper PPE use, safe mixing procedures, and emergency response.
Implementing documented slip and fall prevention protocols demonstrates risk management commitment. Prevention should include wet floor signage requirements, designated drying times, non-slip footwear requirements, and procedures for cleaning around customer traffic.
Maintaining a claims-free history represents the single most effective way to reduce premiums long-term. After one year without claims, you might qualify for a 5% discount. After three years, the discount increases to 10%. After five years, some insurers offer 15% to 20% discounts. On a $5,000 annual insurance budget, a 15% discount saves $750 every year.
Join Associations and Consider Green Products
Professional cleaning industry associations often negotiate group insurance discounts for members ranging from 10% to 25%. Organizations like ISSA and BSCAI partner with insurance providers to offer member-exclusive rates. Association membership typically costs $200 to $500 annually and often pays for itself through insurance savings.
Non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaning products reduce liability risks. Some insurance companies offer 5% to 10% discounts for cleaning businesses that exclusively use green cleaning products certified by organizations like Green Seal or EcoLogo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my personal homeowner’s insurance for my cleaning business?
No. Homeowner’s insurance policies explicitly exclude business activities and commercial claims. If you damage a client’s property or someone gets injured on a job site, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover the claim. You need commercial general liability insurance specifically designed for business activities. Attempting to file business claims under personal insurance typically results in claim denials and potentially policy cancellation.
What’s the difference between being insured and bonded?
Insurance protects your business from financial losses when you face claims—the insurance company pays and doesn’t require repayment beyond your premiums. Bonding protects your clients by guaranteeing they’ll be compensated if your business or employees steal from them. When clients file valid bond claims, the surety pays them, but then you must reimburse the surety company. Most cleaning businesses need insurance. Bonding is often optional but helps win client trust and secure commercial contracts.
How long does it take to get cleaning business insurance?
Online insurance providers can issue policies immediately—often within 10 to 30 minutes from starting your application to receiving your certificate of insurance. You input your business information, receive instant quotes, customize coverage, pay your premium, and download your proof of insurance immediately. Traditional insurance agents typically take one to three business days to gather information, obtain quotes, and finalize coverage.
Do I need insurance if I only work part-time?
Yes. Working part-time doesn’t reduce your liability exposure or eliminate your legal requirements. If you have even one employee, workers’ compensation insurance is mandatory in most states regardless of whether they work part-time or full-time. General liability insurance remains essential because one property damage or injury claim can financially devastate you regardless of whether cleaning represents full-time or part-time income.
What should I do if a client asks me to add them as an additional insured?
Contact your insurance provider and request an additional insured endorsement for that specific client. Most insurance companies add additional insureds for free or for a small fee of $15 to $50 per client. The endorsement extends your liability coverage to protect the client if they’re sued because of your work. Most providers can issue updated certificates showing the additional insured status within 24 hours.
Can I get insurance if I have a previous claim history?
Yes, but you’ll likely pay higher premiums than businesses with clean records. Insurance companies view claims history as a predictor of future claims. One minor claim might increase premiums 10% to 20%. Multiple claims or one major claim can increase rates 30% to 50%. Claims typically affect premiums for three to five years. After that period passes without additional claims, your rates gradually return to standard pricing.
Your Next Steps
Insurance protects everything you’re building with your cleaning business. It shields your personal assets from lawsuits, keeps you compliant with legal requirements, and opens doors to profitable commercial contracts you can’t bid on without coverage.
Don’t wait until after your first client hire or after that first close call with property damage to get insured. Getting coverage takes just minutes with online providers, and the cost is minimal compared to the protection it provides.
Start by getting quotes from at least three providers. Compare coverage types, limits, and total costs. Choose a policy that meets your legal requirements and client expectations without paying for coverage you don’t need. Then, actually buy the coverage—too many cleaning business owners research insurance, get quotes, and then put off the purchase until later.
Consider validating your business model with insurance costs factored into your financial projections. Insurance represents a fundamental operating expense, just like cleaning supplies and transportation. Your pricing strategy should account for these costs while remaining competitive.
If you’re still in the planning stages and evaluating your business idea, understanding insurance requirements helps you calculate true startup costs and ongoing operational expenses. Many aspiring cleaning business owners underestimate insurance costs in their initial budgets, creating cash flow problems later.
Remember—your cleaning business deserves the same professional protection that major companies maintain. Get insured today, and you’ll sleep better tonight knowing that one accident won’t destroy everything you’ve worked to build. The peace of mind alone is worth the $50 to $100 monthly investment for most cleaning businesses.
