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 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.

Here are some of the biggest cost drivers:

• Number of employees (affects workers’ comp and liability)
• Property size and value (affects commercial property coverage)
• Past claims history (insurers charge more if you’ve filed claims)
• Vehicle usage (affects commercial auto insurance)
• Business interruption coverage and other add-ons

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

General Liability Insurance

The average cost of general liability insurance for a pressure washing business is about $70 per month.

General liability covers third-party bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injuries. For example, if you’re pressure washing a client’s driveway and the overspray causes someone to slip and fall, general liability insurance can help cover their medical expenses as well as your legal defense costs if they decide to sue.

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

Factors that influence the cost include the business size, location, the type of pressure washing services you provide, previous claims history, and any subcontractors or additional insured endorsements.

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

The average cost of a business owner’s policy (BOP) is about $155 per month for a pressure washing business.

A BOP bundles general liability insurance with commercial property insurance. It protects against customer injuries, property damage, and loss or damage to the business equipment. For example, if a customer trips over your pressure hose at a job site and gets injured, the general liability portion would help cover their medical expenses and legal costs.

Typical policy limits are $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate for liability, with separate property coverage limits based on the value insured.

Cost factors include the property value, location risk (such as flood or crime rates), business revenue, number of employees, and any optional endorsements.

Janitorial Bonds

The average cost of a janitorial bond for a pressure washing business is about $13 per month.

Janitorial bonds, also known as employee dishonesty bonds, are a type of protection that covers your business if a worker steals from a client. If theft happens, the bond will repay the client for what was taken. However, unlike regular insurance, your business is responsible for paying that money back to the bonding company afterward.

The cost of a surety bond depends on the coverage amount you choose. You only pay a small percentage of the total bond value, not the full amount.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

The average cost of workers’ compensation insurance for a pressure washing business is around $130 per month.

Workers’ comp covers medical bills, rehabilitation, and lost wages for employees injured on the job. For example, if a pressure washing technician slips on a wet surface or suffers an injury from handling high-pressure equipment, workers’ comp would help pay for their hospital bills and provide a portion of their income while they recover.

Policy limits are regulated by each state, but typically include medical costs and a percentage of lost wages without a set cap.

Premiums are influenced by the size of your payroll, the type of work employees perform, your claims history, and any implemented safety programs.

Commercial Auto Insurance

The average cost of commercial auto insurance for a pressure washing business is about $170 per month.

Commercial auto insurance covers vehicles owned or used by the business for accidents, theft, vandalism, or damage. For example, if one of your work trucks is involved in an accident while traveling to a job site, this policy would help pay for vehicle repairs, medical expenses, and any third-party property damage or injury claims.

The cost of commercial auto insurance depends on a few key things, like the coverage limits you select, your past claims, how much your work vehicles are worth, and the driving records of anyone who drives them. Safer drivers and fewer claims usually mean lower costs.

Commercial Umbrella Insurance

The average cost of commercial umbrella insurance for a pressure washing business is $63 per month.

Commercial umbrella insurance provides extra liability protection for your pressure washing business by extending the limits of your existing policies, such as general liability, commercial auto, or workers’ compensation. It kicks in when the costs of a claim go beyond the limits of your standard coverage.

For example, if a high-pressure hose malfunctions and causes major property damage at a client’s site, and the damage exceeds your general liability policy limit, umbrella insurance would help cover the remaining costs.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Vehicles Used For Business

If you use trucks or vans to travel between job sites, you’ll need commercial auto insurance. The number of vehicles, how often they’re used, and your drivers’ records will impact your insurance costs.

How To Lower Your Pressure Washing Insurance Costs

Running a pressure washing business is expensive, but your insurance bill doesn’t have to break the bank. While you can’t eliminate the need for coverage, you can take smart steps to reduce your premiums without sacrificing protection.

Here are some practical ways to lower your pressure washing insurance costs:

1. Bundle Your Policies

One of the easiest ways to save is by bundling multiple policies. Most insurers offer a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) that combines general liability and property insurance at a lower rate than if you bought them separately. If you also need workers’ compensation, bundling both through the same provider can lead to additional discounts. Not only does this simplify your paperwork, but it also makes your coverage more cost-efficient.

2. Ask About Discounts

Insurance companies often reward cleaning businesses that commit to a policy long-term. Ask your provider if they offer multi-year discounts for signing a two- or three-year agreement instead of renewing annually. You might also qualify for lower rates if you pay your premium in full instead of in monthly installments.

3. Implement Safety Measures

Accidents can cost a lot of money for both your pressure washing business and your insurance company. Taking simple steps to prevent injuries or damage can help you avoid claims and may lower your insurance costs over time. For example, you can use warning signs and cones to mark wet or slippery areas, keep hoses and tools out of walkways to prevent tripping, and make sure your equipment is well-maintained.

Training your workers to use machines and chemicals safely and wearing proper safety gear like non-slip boots also helps reduce risk. When insurance companies see that you’re taking safety seriously, they may offer lower premiums.

4. Create A Safe Working Environment

Having a strong safety program can help lower your workers’ compensation insurance costs. For a pressure washing business, this means training your employees on how to use equipment safely, handle high-pressure hoses, work on wet or slippery surfaces, and wear the right safety gear. You should also teach them how to lift heavy equipment properly and what to do in case of an emergency.

5. Adjust Your Deductible

Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance coverage kicks in. Choosing a higher deductible can significantly reduce your monthly premiums. Just make sure you can comfortably cover that amount if a claim arises.

By taking these steps, you not only save money but also make your pressure washing business a safer, and more resilient business.