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6 insurance policies every janitor should consider
Client contracts or state laws may require insurance for your janitorial service business. These insurance policies protect small business owners from common cleaning lawsuits and other top risks.
General liability insurance
This policy protects janitors against legal costs related to third-party property damage and injuries, such as a custodian dropping valuable items. It's often required by commercial leases and contracts.
- Slip-and-fall injuries
- Accidental damage to a client's property
- Libel and other advertising injuries
Workers' comp insurance
Most states require janitorial service businesses with employees to carry workers' comp. Health insurance can deny claims for on-the-job injuries, which makes this policy valuable for sole proprietors too.
- Medical bills for injured workers
- Disability benefits
- Lawsuits from workplace accidents
Commercial auto insurance
Business vehicles owned by a janitorial company must have this coverage to comply with state laws. It helps pay for financial losses in an accident, including legal costs and property repairs.
- Auto accident injuries
- Auto accident property damage
- Theft of a cleaning van or other vehicle
Business owner's policy
Small janitorial businesses and contractors are usually eligible for a business owner's policy (BOP), which bundles general liability and commercial property insurance at a discount.
- Client bodily injuries
- Damaged customer property
- Stolen or damaged business property
Commercial umbrella insurance
Umbrella insurance boosts the protection of your general liability, commercial auto, or employer's liability insurance policy once the limit is reached on a claim. It might be required to secure client contracts.
- Personal injury lawsuits
- Auto accident lawsuits
- Workplace injury lawsuits
Fidelity bonds
Clients might ask your business to secure a fidelity bond, also called a janitorial bond, before they will allow your workers on their premises. It reimburses the client in the event of employee theft.
- Theft of cash or property
- Forgery
- Illegal funds transfer
Janitorial insurance costs
From our customer data, here's a quick look at the average costs of common janitor insurance policies:
General liability: $50 per month
Business owner's policy: $76 per month
Workers' compensation: $143 per month
Factors that can influence cleaning business insurance costs include:
- Cleaning services offered, such as carpet cleaning or window cleaning
- Value of your cleaning equipment
- Coverage options (e.g., additional insureds)
- Types of insurance purchased
- Policy limits and deductibles
- Claims history
Hear from business owners like you who purchased insurance coverage.
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Common questions about business insurance for janitorial services
Find answers to FAQs about commercial cleaning business insurance.
Does my janitorial business need a bond?
A fidelity bond, also known as a janitorial bond, protects your clients from dishonest employees. Examples include janitorial workers who steal client property or those who complete an illegal funds transfer.
Although most state laws don't require cleaning companies to purchase janitorial bonds, there are several reasons why a small business owner may purchase one:
- You need a bond to get licensed. In some states, a bond is part of the requirements for getting a cleaning business license. Cities and counties sometimes have additional licensing laws and requirements, which could include a bond.
- You need a bond to sign a contract. Some clients will require your company to carry a bond before they will allow your employees on their premises. This is especially true for government entities and larger clients that might employ your business.
- You need a bond to attract new clients. Clients will typically choose to work with a bonded and insured company over one that does not carry this protection. A bond shows clients that your business is reliable and guarantees reimbursement in the event of theft.
Note that you may also see this kind of bond referred to as a surety bond.
Is my janitorial service business required to carry auto insurance?
Outside of New Hampshire and Virginia, every other state requires commercial auto insurance for business-owned vehicles. If you use a personal vehicle for work, your private auto insurance policy likely won’t cover you in the event of a work-related accident.
Commercial auto insurance offers liability protection for you and your employees if you get into an accident while driving a company vehicle. It covers any property damage or personal injuries caused by your business vehicle, as well as your legal expenses. It will also pay for any medical expenses for yourself or an employee in a work vehicle accident.
You'll need hired and non-owned auto (HNOA) insurance if you or your employees use any personal, leased, or rented vehicles for work. This is because your personal or commercial auto insurance policies won’t cover any accidents that happen in personal, leased, or rented vehicles during work-related activities.
What other insurance coverage do janitorial service businesses need?
When building a comprehensive risk management plan for a janitorial service business, small business owners may need additional types of insurance, outside of commercial general liability coverage and workers' compensation insurance, to cover all risks and liabilities.
Other janitorial services insurance policies to consider for complete peace of mind include:
- Professional liability insurance: Also known as errors and omissions insurance (E&O), this policy protects your janitorial service business from client lawsuits over errors, mistakes, or negligence they claim negatively impacted them.
- Cyber insurance: Helps small business owners recover financially from cyberattacks and data breaches. It's recommended for any business that stores sensitive customer data, such as credit card numbers and email addresses.
- Inland marine insurance: Safeguards your business property (such as cleaning supplies) while it's in transit or stored at an off-site location. Specifically, contractor's tools and equipment coverage is perfect for cleaning companies that use cleaning equipment valued at less than $10k and is less than five years old, like a carpet cleaner.
