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?

Operating a residential cleaning service comes with unique hazards. Because you and your team are entering private homes, handling expensive belongings, and working with chemicals, the potential for accidents is high.

To safeguard your financial future and reputation, you need the right coverage. Below is a guide to the business insurance policies that house cleaners should evaluate.

General Liability Insurance

Considered the cornerstone of business protection, General Liability (GL) covers you against claims involving third-party bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury. If a client trips over your vacuum cord or you accidentally break an expensive vase, this policy handles the medical bills, replacement costs, and legal fees.

Real-World Scenario: While dusting, a cleaner knocks over a sculpture. The client sues for damages. GL covers the cost of the item and the legal defense.

Despite its importance, approximately 35% of small businesses operate without this coverage, leaving them vulnerable to expensive lawsuits.

Bonding (Janitorial Bond)

While not technically “insurance” in the traditional sense, a janitorial bond is crucial for building trust in the cleaning industry. It protects your clients if they accuse you or your staff of theft.

Real-World Scenario: A homeowner claims a diamond ring went missing during a cleaning session. A surety bond ensures the client is reimbursed, protecting your company’s reputation even if the theft is never proven in court.

House cleaning companies typically pay around $11 monthly, or $126 annually, for this peace of mind.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

If you hire employees, this coverage is likely mandatory in your state. It pays for medical expenses and lost wages if a staff member gets hurt or falls ill while on the job. It also usually provides death benefits and rehabilitation costs.

Real-World Scenario: An employee suffers a back injury while moving a heavy sofa to clean behind it. Workers’ compensation pays for their medical treatment and recovery time.

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

A BOP is a cost-effective strategy for small businesses. It bundles General Liability and Commercial Property insurance into a single package, usually at a rate cheaper than purchasing them individually.

Real-World Scenario: A pipe bursts in your office, destroying your computer and files. The BOP covers the property damage while maintaining your liability protection.

Commercial Auto Insurance

Personal car insurance policies rarely cover accidents that occur while driving for business purposes. Commercial Auto Insurance provides coverage for vehicle damage and medical costs if you or your team are involved in a crash while driving company-owned vehicles.

Real-World Scenario: You are driving the company van to a job site and rear-end another vehicle. Commercial Auto covers the repairs and liability costs.

The average premium for house cleaning businesses is roughly $136 per month, totaling $1,635 per year.

Hired And Non-Owned Auto (HNOA) Insurance

This coverage fills a specific gap for businesses where employees use their own personal vehicles or rented cars for work tasks. It offers liability protection for the business if an employee causes an accident in a vehicle the company does not own.

Real-World Scenario: You send an employee to the store to buy bleach in their personal sedan, and they hit a parked car. HNOA steps in to cover the liability claims against your business.

Inland Marine Insurance

Don’t let the name confuse you; this policy is about protecting equipment on land. It covers your tools and supplies when they are in transit or at a job site. Standard property insurance usually stops at your office door, but Inland Marine follows your gear.

Real-World Scenario: Your expensive carpet cleaning machine is stolen from your van while you are inside cleaning a client’s house. This policy covers the replacement cost.

Business Personal Property (BPP) Insurance

BPP is a type of property insurance designed to cover movable assets kept at your primary business location. This includes office furniture, electronics, and inventory.

Real-World Scenario: A break-in at your office results in the theft of all your laptops and a stock of cleaning solutions. BPP helps pay to replace these essential items.

Commercial Property Insurance

If you have a physical location, such as a leased office or a storage facility for your supplies, this policy covers the structure itself and the contents within against perils like fire, storms, and vandalism.

Real-World Scenario: A severe storm damages the roof of your equipment storage unit, ruining the supplies inside. Commercial Property insurance helps cover the structural repairs and the damaged inventory.

Umbrella Insurance

Think of this as a safety net. Umbrella insurance provides additional liability limits once your primary policies (like General Liability or Auto) are exhausted. It kicks in for catastrophic claims that exceed standard caps.

Real-World Scenario: A client sues you for $1 million due to a severe injury caused by a chemical reaction. If your General Liability policy only covers $500,000, the Umbrella policy covers the remaining $500,000.

Cyber Liability Insurance

House cleaners often store sensitive client data, including addresses, alarm codes, and credit card numbers. Cyber liability protects you against the fallout of data breaches, hacking, and cyberattacks.

Real-World Scenario: Your billing computer is infected with ransomware, exposing client credit card data. This insurance covers the legal requirements for notifying clients and providing credit monitoring services.

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 carriers do not use a flat rate for every cleaning company; instead, they determine your premium by analyzing the specific risks attached to your operations. The scale of your business is a primary factor. A self-employed individual typically incurs lower costs than an agency that manages a payroll of several employees.

The specific nature of your daily tasks also impacts the price. If your services go beyond standard dusting and mopping to include high-risk activities, such as post-construction detailing or the use of industrial-strength solvents, your rates will likely increase. Geography is another unavoidable variable, as pricing fluctuates significantly based on the state, city, and zip code where you work.

Underwriters also scrutinize your professional track record. A business with a history of prior claims is often viewed as a higher risk, which can drive up premiums. Additionally, the total value of your cleaning equipment, your need for commercial auto coverage, and the coverage limits you select all play a role in the final calculation. Even your legal classification, such as being an LLC versus a sole proprietorship, influences how your policy is priced.

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