How Much Does Pressure Washing Insurance Cost?

U.S. pressure washing businesses can expect to pay $840 annually for comprehensive business insurance, averaging $70 per month. The primary cost drivers are location, coverage limits, number of employees, annual revenue, equipment value, and the type of services offered.

How Much Does Pressure Washing Insurance Cost?

The average pressure washing business in the U.S. pays $840 per year for business insurance. That breaks down to roughly $70 per month. However, this is just a ballpark range and actual business insurance costs can vary widely depending on your specific situation.

Every pressure washing business has its own unique risks and insurance needs, which is why there’s no one-size-fits-all premium. A single worker handling residential driveways will pay far less than a large commercial business with a fleet of trucks and multiple employees. The type of surfaces you clean, the equipment you use, whether you handle chemical treatments, and even your service area can all influence your insurance costs.

For example, businesses operating in densely populated urban areas or regions with higher rates of property damage claims may pay more for liability coverage. Similarly, a company that performs high-pressure cleaning on roofs, industrial sites, or multi-story buildings will likely face higher premiums due to the increased risk of injury or property damage, compared to one that focuses solely on ground-level patio and sidewalk cleaning.

Understanding these variables can help you better estimate your insurance needs and prepare for the real costs of protecting your pressure washing business.

Average Pressure Washing Insurance Costs For Coverage Types

When it comes to protecting your pressure washing business, different types of insurance cover different risks. Understanding the average cost, coverage details, and what influences pricing for each policy type can help you build a more effective insurance plan.

Here’s a closer look at the major coverages most pressure washing businesses need.

• General liability insurance: $70 per month
• Business owner’s policy: $155 per month
• Janitorial bonds: $13 per month
• Workers’ compensation insurance: $130 per month
• Commercial auto insurance: $170 per month
• Commercial umbrella insurance: $63 per month

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

Pressure washing companies that need both liability protection and coverage for business equipment often choose a Business Owner’s Policy. The average cost for a BOP for a pressure washing business is about $155 per month.

A BOP combines general liability and commercial property insurance, protecting your business if a customer is injured around your work area and covering damage or loss of business equipment, storage units, or office space.

Typical liability limits are $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, with property coverage amounts based on the equipment and assets insured.

BOP pricing depends on factors such as where your business operates, the value of your pressure washing machinery, the number of workers you employ, and whether you add optional protections like business interruption coverage.

Here are the average annual premiums for 10 states:

Note: Estimates reflect typical annual BOP premiums for pressure washing operations; actual premiums will vary with location, revenue, services offered, equipment, and underwriting factors.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Pressure washing work involves wet surfaces, ladders, and high-pressure equipment, which makes workers’ compensation especially important. The average cost for workers’ comp for a pressure washing business is around $130 per month.

Workers’ compensation helps cover medical treatment, lost wages, and rehabilitation if an employee gets injured while performing job duties. Slips, hose injuries, and equipment accidents are common examples.

Premiums are influenced by payroll size, the type of cleaning jobs performed, workplace safety practices, and claim history. Each state sets its own benefit requirements.

Here are the average annual premiums for 10 states:

Note: Estimates reflect typical annual workers’ compensation premiums for pressure washing operations; actual premiums will vary with payroll size, employee classifications, claims history, safety practices, and state-specific rules.

General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance is one of the first policies most pressure washing businesses purchase. The average cost for general liability insurance in this industry is about $70 per month.

This coverage helps protect your business if someone is injured or if property is damaged as a result of your pressure washing work. Overspray, surface etching, water intrusion, slippery walkways, and client property damage are common liability risks.

Typical limits are $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.

Costs vary depending on business size, the surfaces you clean, whether you wash roofs or commercial buildings, subcontractor use, and your past claims.

Here are the average annual premiums for 10 states:

Note: Estimates reflect typical annual general liability premiums for pressure washing operations; actual premiums will vary with services offered, revenue, claims history, location, and coverage limits.

Commercial Auto Insurance

Since most pressure washing companies rely on trucks or vans to transport equipment, commercial auto insurance is often required. The average cost of commercial auto insurance for pressure washers is about $170 per month.

This policy pays for accident-related vehicle repairs, medical expenses, and third-party damages if a work vehicle is involved in a crash while traveling to a job site.

Premiums are affected by the type and value of vehicles used, driving records, mileage, coverage limits, and past auto claims.

Here are the average annual premiums for 10 states:

Note: Estimates reflect typical annual commercial auto premiums for pressure washing operations; actual premiums will vary with fleet size, vehicle use, driving records, coverage limits, and underwriting factors.

Janitorial Bonds

Some pressure washing companies purchase janitorial bonds, especially if they work at client properties without supervision. The average cost for a janitorial bond in this industry is about $13 per month.

These bonds reimburse customers if an employee commits theft while on-site. The business later repays the bonding company, since this is not traditional insurance.

Bond pricing depends on the bond amount selected and business credit standing.

Here are the average annual premiums for 10 states:

Note: Estimates reflect typical annual janitorial/bond premiums for pressure washing operations based on market-average agency pricing; actual premiums will vary with bond amount, credit, claims history, contract requirements, and underwriting factors.

Commercial Umbrella Insurance

Pressure washing contractors who take on large contracts sometimes buy commercial umbrella insurance for added liability protection. The average cost is about $63 per month.

Umbrella insurance increases the protection limits of general liability, commercial auto, or workers’ compensation policies. It provides extra coverage when a major claim exceeds the limits of your primary policy.

Here are the average annual premiums for 10 states:

Note: Estimates reflect typical annual commercial umbrella premiums for pressure washing operations across different markets; actual premiums will vary with underlying liability limits, claims history, business size, location, and underwriting.

Pressure Washing Business Insurance Costs By Provider

Pressure washing business insurance costs will vary greatly depending on the insurance carrier. Use the table below to find average costs across different providers.

Note: Estimates are based on typical annual premiums for pressure washing businesses; actual premiums will vary by location, services offered, equipment value, revenue, claims history, and coverage limits.

What Factors Impact Your Pressure Washing Insurance Costs?

Pressure washing insurance premiums are carefully calculated by underwriters based on your business’s risk profile. Factors like the type of cleaning services you offer, the equipment you use, your service area, number of employees, and your past claims history all play a role in determining your rates.

Type Of Pressure Washing Services You Offer

If you only clean driveways or patios, your risk is lower, so your insurance may cost less. But if you clean roofs, buildings, or use strong chemicals, there’s a higher chance of damage or injury, which can raise your premium.

Types of Properties

The types of properties on which you work plays a role too. Underwriters look at whether you work on straightforward, residential areas like decks and driveways or industrial and commercial work like high-rises.

Number Of Employees

More workers mean more chances for accidents or injuries. Insurance companies will charge more if you have a team instead of working alone, especially for workers’ comp coverage. As your employee count, services, and business revenue grow, your insurance might adjust as well.

Pressure Washing Business Equipment And Tools

High-powered machines or expensive tools increase your risk and the cost of replacing damaged or stolen equipment. The more advanced or valuable your gear, the higher your property insurance may be. This extends to things like:

• Pressure washers
• Hoses
• Trailers
• Water tanks

Note: If your pressure washing business uses hot water systems or surface cleansers, you will need higher protections compared to consumer-grade equipment coverage. 

Claims History

Pressure washing brings with it unique risks, so any history of injuries from slip and fall accidents, damaged siding, broken windows, or mishandled equipment leading to other damages can remain on your business record for years, influencing premiums. The longer your business goes without these issues, the better it can be for your costs.

Location Of Your Business

Insurance costs can vary depending on where you operate. Busy cities or areas with higher crime rates or more lawsuits usually have higher premiums. This also impacts risks of equipment being damaged or stolen, pedestrians or nearby neighbors facing property damage, and other liability-related hazards.

Credit Score

Your credit score plays a role in your financial security so underwriters will offer lower premiums to those with higher scores; a higher credit score means less financial risk.

Tip: You can greatly reduce your premiums if you maintain a higher credit score, especially when you look for a new policy. 

Vehicles Used For Pressure Washing Business

If you use trucks or vans to travel between job sites, you’ll need commercial auto insurance. This can increase the more you add specialized rigs like specialty trailers for water tank transport, or custom trucks with safety gear. The number of vehicles, how often they’re used, and your drivers’ records will impact your insurance costs.