House Cleaning Business Insurance

Why Do House Cleaners Need Insurance?

House cleaners need insurance because accidents can happen on the job, and without coverage, a simple mistake can lead to costly consequences. Imagine a cleaner accidentally knocks over an expensive vase while dusting a client’s shelf. Without general liability insurance, they’d be on the hook for replacing it, potentially hundreds or even thousands of dollars out of pocket.

Now add in the risk of slipping on a wet floor, damaging hardwood with a cleaning product, or a client claiming theft. Insurance acts as a financial safety net, protecting the business from claims of property damage, bodily injury, or even lawsuits.

It also adds credibility—many clients require proof of insurance before hiring a cleaning service. Whether you’re a solo cleaner or run a team, having the right insurance helps you operate confidently, knowing you’re covered if something goes wrong.

What Insurance Do House Cleaners Need?

Running a house cleaning business involves more risk than most people realize. You’re working inside clients’ homes, often unsupervised, handling valuable items, and using tools or cleaning chemicals that can cause damage or injury.

To protect yourself and your business, here’s a breakdown of the most important business insurance policies to consider.

General Liability Insurance

This is the foundational insurance policy for most small businesses. It protects you from third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury. If you accidentally damage a client’s property or someone gets hurt because of your work, general liability pays for legal fees, repairs, or medical bills.

Example: A cleaner accidentally knocks over a flat-screen TV while dusting. The client demands reimbursement. General liability insurance can cover the cost of replacing the TV and any legal fees if a lawsuit follows.

Only 65% of small businesses carry general liability coverage, leaving 35% potentially exposed to liability claims.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

This policy covers your employees if they get injured or become ill as a result of their job. It typically covers medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation, and even death benefits. It’s also required by law in most states if you have employees.

Example: One of your cleaners slips on a wet floor and breaks their wrist. Workers’ comp pays for their ER visit and covers time off while they recover.

Workers’ compensation insurance is required for cleaning and janitorial businesses with employees in almost every state.

Bonding (Janitorial Bond)

A janitorial bond protects your clients against theft by you or your employees. If a client accuses a cleaner of stealing and files a claim, the bond can provide reimbursement.

Example: A client reports a missing piece of jewelry after a scheduled cleaning. Even if it’s never proven, the bond gives the client peace of mind and protects your reputation.

The average cost of a janitorial bond is $11 per month, or $126 annually, for house cleaning companies.

Commercial Auto Insurance

If you or your employees drive for business purposes, personal auto insurance likely won’t cover accidents. Commercial auto fills that gap. Usually, it covers vehicle damage, injuries, and liability if you’re involved in an accident while driving for work.

Example: One of your employees rear-ends a car while driving to a client’s home in the company van. Commercial auto covers the damages and medical costs.

House cleaning companies pay an average of $136 per month, or $1,635 per year, for commercial auto insurance.

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

A BOP bundles general liability and commercial property insurance into one policy, often at a lower cost than buying them separately. It covers property damage to your business location or equipment, along with liability protection.

Example: A fire at your office damages cleaning supplies and business records. A BOP helps you recover both the physical and financial losses.

Inland Marine Insurance

This policy covers tools, equipment, or supplies while they’re in transit or temporarily off-site. This covers loss, theft, or damage to your equipment while being transported between jobs or stored away from your main business location.

Example: Your cleaning supplies and a portable carpet cleaner are stolen out of your van while parked at a client’s home. Inland marine insurance can help replace those items.

Commercial Property Insurance

If you own or lease space for your business, this policy covers the physical building and the contents inside. It covers fire, vandalism, theft, weather damage, and more—anything that could physically impact your business premises or equipment stored there.

Example: A storm causes water damage to your storage unit, ruining thousands of dollars’ worth of cleaning gear. Commercial property insurance helps you recover.

Business Personal Property (BPP) Insurance

BPP is a type of property insurance specifically for movable items like cleaning tools, computers, and office furniture used in your business. Usually, this policy covers repair or replacement of these items if they are damaged or destroyed due to fire, theft, or other covered events.

Example: A fire in your office destroys laptops, vacuums, and supplies. BPP helps cover the cost to replace those essential business items.

Hired And Non-Owned Auto (HNOA) Insurance

This policy covers liability if you or your employees use personal or rented vehicles for business purposes. If an employee causes an accident while using their personal car for a work errand, HNOA provides liability coverage where personal auto insurance might fall short.

Example: You send an employee to pick up extra cleaning supplies in their own car, and they cause a fender bender. HNOA helps with the liability claim.

Umbrella Insurance

Umbrella coverage provides extra protection beyond the limits of your existing policies, like general liability and commercial auto. Once a claim exceeds the limits of your underlying policy, umbrella insurance kicks in to cover the remaining amount.

Example: You’re sued for $1 million after a client claims bodily injury from a cleaning product you used. Your general liability policy caps at $500,000. Umbrella insurance can cover the remaining $500,000.

Cyber Liability Insurance

This covers losses related to cyberattacks, data breaches, and other digital risks, particularly important if you store client info online. It covers legal costs, notification expenses, and credit monitoring for affected clients.

Example: Your scheduling software is hacked, and client addresses and payment details are leaked. Cyber liability helps manage the fallout.

Together, these policies form a comprehensive insurance plan for house cleaning businesses. While not every business needs all of them, understanding your risks and matching them with the right coverage ensures your operation stays protected, whether you’re a solo cleaner or manage a growing team.

Cheapest Business Insurance For House Cleaning Business

The cheapest option for overall business insurance is often Thimble, with average annual costs around $773.

Note: These estimates are based on industry averages for a small cleaning business with a limited number of employees and standard coverage limits. Actual premiums will vary based on factors such as your specific location, business size, number of employees, payroll, claims history, and the coverage limits you select.

Cheapest House Cleaning Business General Liability Insurance

The cheapest option for General Liability insurance is offered by NEXT Insurance, with policies starting at $237 per year.

Note: These figures represent estimates for a standalone General Liability (GL) insurance policy, which is the most basic form of liability coverage for third-party property damage or injury. This policy does not include coverage for your own equipment or employee injuries. Actual premiums will vary based on your specific location, number of employees, claims history, and the coverage limits you select.

Cheapest House Cleaning Business Business Owner’s Policy

The cheapest option for a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) is Thimble, with average annual premiums around $770.

Note: These estimates are for a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP), which bundles General Liability and Commercial Property insurance into one package. This policy is ideal for small businesses that need to protect their equipment (vacuums, supplies) as well as cover liability. Actual premiums will vary based on your location, the value of your equipment, payroll, and claims history.

How Much Does House Cleaning Insurance Cost?

House cleaning insurance typically costs between $350 and $1,000 per year for general liability coverage, depending on the size and structure of the business. For solo cleaners with no employees, rates often fall at the lower end of that range.

However, if you operate a growing cleaning company with multiple employees, use vehicles for work, or require additional coverages like workers’ comp or commercial auto insurance, your premiums could be higher, sometimes exceeding $2,000 annually.

Several factors influence the cost of your business insurance, including your business location, the number of employees, the types of services you offer (standard cleaning vs. deep or specialty cleaning), your claims history, and whether you transport expensive equipment. Insurers also consider the amount of coverage you choose and whether you package policies together.

While it may be tempting to go with the cheapest option, it’s important to choose a plan that truly protects your business from its most likely risks.

Note: These estimates are based on industry averages for a small cleaning business with a limited number of employees and standard coverage limits. Actual premiums will vary based on factors such as your specific location, business size, number of employees, payroll, claims history, and the coverage limits you select.

How Is Your House Cleaning Insurance Cost Calculated?

Insurance underwriters calculate your house cleaning insurance premium based on several key risk factors unique to your business. One of the biggest considerations is the size and scope of your operation—solo cleaners typically pay less than businesses with multiple employees.

The services you offer also matter; if you specialize in high-risk work like post-construction cleanup or use strong chemicals, your rates may be higher. Location plays a role, too, since insurance costs can vary by state, city, or even ZIP code.

Underwriters also look at your claims history—if you’ve filed previous insurance claims, you could be seen as a higher risk. The value of your equipment, whether you own or lease business vehicles, and the type and amount of coverage you choose all factor into the cost as well. Even your business structure (LLC vs. sole proprietor) can affect how your policy is priced.

Following these steps helps ensure you’re properly insured and set up to handle risks confidently and professionally.