House Cleaner Insurance

There are several reasons a cleaning business might decide to buy a janitorial bond:

• It protects clients. Should an employee steal from a client, your client would be reimbursed by the bond up to the limit.
• It's required. Some states, counties, and cities require a bond to obtain a cleaning business license.
• Clients request it. Some clients, especially government entities, will require your company to carry a bond before they'll allow your employees on their premises.
• It attracts new customers. Clients prefer to work with a bonded and insured company over one that doesn't carry this protection. A bond demonstrates to clients that your business is reliable and guarantees reimbursement in the event of theft.

It's important to note that you may also see this kind of bond referred to as a surety bond or fidelity bond.

State, city, and county laws dictate whether your business needs to carry house cleaning liability insurance. Additionally, some clients may also request proof of insurance before signing a contract with your business.

Your insurance requirements will likely vary based on several factors, such as the size of your cleaning business, the number of employees you have, the policy limits you choose, the value of the business equipment you own, and the type of cleaning services you provide.

Examples of states with requirements include:

• Texas does not require workers' compensation for cleaning businesses and other small businesses. However, it is highly recommended to avoid paying employee bodily injury claims and liability costs out of pocket. All company-owned vehicles must be covered by commercial auto insurance.
• California mandates that all cleaning businesses with any number of full-time or part-time employees carry workers' compensation insurance. Cleaning businesses that own their vehicles must carry commercial auto insurance.
• Florida cleaning businesses with four or more employees must carry workers' comp and the minimum commercial auto coverage for vehicles owned by the business.

Checking with your local government laws before starting your cleaning business is a key step. Your local regulations will give you the clearest idea of which insurance coverage, licenses, bonds, permits, and fees you need to obtain or pay.

Yes, self-employed house cleaners still need to carry insurance. While coverage might not be required by law, having coverage can help you fulfill contract terms and protect your business from financial risks and liabilities.

Self-employed house cleaners often face the same risks as larger businesses but have fewer resources to handle them, making insurance even more vital.

Many single-person house cleaning businesses carry the following policies to protect themselves and their finances:

• General liability insurance. Protect your business from expenses related to third-party bodily injuries and property damage with general liability insurance. This policy also covers claims of advertising injuries, such as libel and slander.
• Commercial auto insurance. To protect your business-owned vehicles, you'll need commercial auto insurance. This policy covers legal fees, medical expenses, and other related costs if your company-owned vehicle is involved in an accident. For personal, leased, and rented vehicles used for work purposes, consider purchasing hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA).
• Business personal property (BPP). If you work from home and store your business property in your personal house, BPP covers your company's property, such as computers, inventory, and equipment.
• Workers' compensation insurance. Carrying a workers’ compensation plan, even if you're a sole proprietor or limited liability company (LLC) with no employees, can financially protect you if you’re unable to work and suffer lost wages due to an on-the-job injury or illness, and cover your medical bills.

Having the right coverage is important because personal health insurance and homeowners' insurance generally do not cover business-related claims. You can speak to a licensed insurance agent if you have questions about other important policies, such as cyber insurance if you collect and store client information.

Small business coverage can also help you grow your business, especially if you’re just getting started. Clients often feel more comfortable signing a contract with a bonded and insured cleaner.

The right coverage can signal professionalism, build trust, and help you compete for higher-value or recurring jobs.

When building a comprehensive risk management plan for a house-cleaning business, small business owners may need additional types of insurance beyond general liability and workers' compensation to cover all risks and liabilities.

Some policies house cleaners and maid service businesses should consider for complete peace of mind are:

• Hired and non-owned auto (HNOA) insurance covers work-related accidents if you or your employees use personal, leased, or rented vehicles for work. Most personal auto insurance policies are unlikely to cover these types of claims, like taking supplies to a job site, running a work errand, or visiting a client's home in your personal car.
• Inland marine insurance safeguards your business property (such as products, tools, and equipment) while it's in transit, at a job site, or stored off-site. Also called tools and equipment insurance, it would cover the cost of a replacement vacuum cleaner if yours is stolen from a client's property.
• Commercial property insurance protects against financial losses from fires, storms, and burglaries. This policy is important to carry since homeowner's insurance provides little to no protection for business property.
• Lost key coverage helps pay for the cost of replacing locks if a client’s keys are lost or stolen—an important consideration when you’re regularly entrusted with access to private homes.
• Business interruption insurance, also called business income insurance, covers financial losses if your business is forced to close temporarily due to a fire or extreme weather. It can often be added to a business owner's policy (BOP).

With TechInsurance, you can get free quotes from top-rated insurance carriers by filling out one easy application.

There are a few other ways to get cheap house cleaning insurance, such as:

• Bundle your policies. The most popular option is a business owner's policy (BOP), which pairs your general liability policy with commercial property insurance to save money.
• Customize your policy. Choose lower limits, a higher deductible, or certain exclusions to save on your premium. Additionally, picking only the policies that benefit your specific business will help you save money.
• Focus on workplace safety. A safe work environment means fewer liability claims, which helps lower your insurance costs. Ensuring that your job site is safe, your equipment is well-maintained, and your employees are well-trained is crucial to avoiding claims.