Insurance for a cleaning service: what you need + typical cost.

For your business: GL + Property bundle is the standard starting point for cleaning businesses.

What it covers in general: A Business Owners Policy bundles General Liability and Commercial Property into a single, discounted policy. Often includes business interruption insurance as well.

Typical annual cost: $750–$1,800 (median $990) · Insureon, Small Business Insurance Cost

For your business: Working in client homes/businesses, cleaners face constant property damage and slip/fall exposure.

What it covers in general: Covers claims of bodily injury or property damage that your business causes to others — a customer slipping in your shop, or a contractor accidentally breaking a client's window.

Typical annual cost: $500–$1,560 (median $540) · Insureon, General Liability Cost

For your business: Not typically needed unless you provide specialized cleaning consulting or certification services.

What it covers in general: Covers claims that your professional advice, service, or work product caused a financial loss to a client — also called Errors & Omissions (E&O) or malpractice insurance.

Typical annual cost: $700–$1,500 (median $876) · Insureon, Professional Liability Cost

For your business: Cleaning involves chemical exposure, repetitive motion, and slippery surfaces. Required in most states.

What it covers in general: Pays for medical expenses and lost wages if an employee is injured or becomes ill because of their job. Also protects your business from employee lawsuits over workplace injuries.

Typical annual cost: $1,200–$8,000 (median $2,500) · Insureon, Workers Compensation Cost

For your business: If you own significant equipment (floor machines, industrial vacuums), property coverage protects your assets.

What it covers in general: Covers your physical business assets — building (if you own it), equipment, inventory, and furniture — against fire, theft, vandalism, and certain weather events.

Typical annual cost: $970–$1,570 (median $1,270) · Insureon, Commercial Property Cost

For your business: Scheduling software and payment systems create data exposure; becoming more relevant as cleaning businesses digitize.

What it covers in general: Covers losses from data breaches, ransomware attacks, and cyber fraud — including notification costs, credit monitoring for affected customers, legal fees, and regulatory fines.

Typical annual cost: $1,440–$2,160 (median $1,800) · Insureon, Cyber Liability Cost

For your business: Employee vehicles or company vans used to travel to jobs require commercial auto coverage.

What it covers in general: Covers vehicles used for business purposes — work trucks, vans, cars driven to client sites — against accidents, liability, and damage. Personal auto policies specifically exclude commercial use.

Typical annual cost: $1,760–$2,940 (median $2,350) · Insureon, Commercial Auto Cost

For your business: Major property damage claims (flooding, chemical damage) can exceed standard GL limits.

What it covers in general: Adds an extra layer of liability coverage above your GL, Professional Liability, and/or Auto limits. Pays claims that exceed your primary policy limits.

Typical annual cost: $750–$1,500 (median $1,030) · Insureon, Umbrella Liability Cost

What does a janitorial bond actually cover?

It's a 'fidelity bond' that pays the customer if your employee steals from them while on a cleaning job — petty theft, jewelry, electronics. It does NOT cover damage (that's GL) or your own property. Most commercial customers require a $25K-$50K bond before letting your team into their building. Bond cost: $200-$500/year.

If we accidentally use the wrong cleaner and damage a customer's floor, what covers that?

GL covers it under 'property damage to others.' This is the single most common cleaning-business claim — bleach on hardwood, ammonia on natural stone, the wrong solvent on leather. Costs typically $500-$5,000 to refinish; GL handles it. A repeated history of these claims will increase renewal premiums.

Do my cleaners need workers comp if they're 1099 contractors?

Many states have specific rules for cleaning businesses that override the standard 1099/W-2 distinction. California, New York, and Massachusetts in particular require workers comp coverage for 'workers' regardless of contractor status. Check your state's specific rule before classing your cleaners as 1099 — misclassification penalties are steep.