Cleaning business insurance, explained simply
The policies cleaning businesses ask about
| Policy | What it protects against | For a cleaning business |
|---|---|---|
| General liability | Financial loss from bodily injury, property damage, medical expenses, libel, slander, defending lawsuits, and settlements or judgments.[1] | The core policy. A client trips on your cord; you knock over a TV. |
| Professional liability | Financial loss from errors and negligence in the services you provide.[1] | Less common for home cleaning; sometimes asked for in commercial contracts. |
| Home-based business coverage | A rider on your homeowner's policy that can cover a small amount of business equipment and some liability.[1] | Covers equipment stored at home; not a substitute for general liability at clients' homes. |
| Workers' compensation | Injuries to your employees. | Requirements and costs vary by state.[2] |
"Bonded and insured": what clients mean
Clients often ask whether you're "bonded and insured". A bond is a different product from an insurance policy. Ask your agent what a bond for a cleaning business would cover and what it costs, and get it in writing, because clients asking this usually want to know they're protected if something goes missing.
Questions to ask an insurance agent
- Does the general liability policy cover damage to the client's property while I'm working in it?
- Does it cover damage to items I'm cleaning (for example, a stone countertop)?
- Are lost keys or re-keying covered?
- Do I need my own policy for helpers, or are they covered?
- Can I get a certificate of insurance quickly for commercial clients?
If you hire help
Whether a helper is an employee or an independent contractor isn't your choice of label. The IRS looks at behavioral control, financial control and the type of relationship, and no single factor decides it.[3] Decide this before you hire, because employees bring payroll and workers' compensation obligations with them.
Free: the Cleaning Business Starter Kit
A one-page launch checklist and a room-by-room cleaning checklist you can hand to clients. PDF, no signup needed.
Questions people ask
What insurance does a cleaning business need?
Most start with general liability insurance. SBA advises buying what's legally required first, then insuring against risks you couldn't pay for yourself.[1]
Do I need workers' comp for my cleaning business?
If you have employees, check your state's rules. Workers' compensation requirements and costs vary by state.[2]