What Insurance Is Needed for a Cleaning Business
A practical guide to the insurance a cleaning business must have, including core coverages, endorsements, and steps to tailor a policy for residential and commercial work in 2026.
Cleaning business insurance is a policy package that protects cleaners and their clients from financial loss due to accidents, property damage, or liability arising from cleaning activities.
What insurance is needed for a cleaning business
For a cleaning business, insurance is not optional; it protects you and your clients from financial loss when accidents happen, property is damaged, or mistakes occur during a job. The core foundation is general liability insurance, which covers bodily injury and property damage to third parties. If you have employees, workers' compensation is often required by state law and protects you from employee medical costs and wage replacement. Depending on your work type—residential or commercial—clients may require a certificate of insurance (COI) before starting work. In 2026, many building managers and private clients make COIs a standard part of the onboarding process. According to Cleaning Tips, planning for insurance early can simplify bidding and contract signing. In addition to GL and workers’ comp, consider professional liability if you provide cleaning consulting or specialized services, and property coverage for your office or storage space. If you use a vehicle for business, you’ll likely need a commercial auto policy. This block outlines the typical minimums and how to tailor coverage to your specific operations.
Questions & Answers
Do I need workers' compensation if I am a sole proprietor with no employees?
Rules vary by state. Some states allow sole proprietors to opt out of workers’ comp if there are no employees, while others require coverage if you hire subcontractors or workers. Check your state’s rules and consider optional coverage if you take on subcontractors or expand operations.
State rules differ. Check your state to see if sole proprietors must carry workers’ comp or if you can opt out.
Is general liability insurance enough for basic residential cleaning?
General liability is the essential baseline, covering third party injuries and property damage. However, many clients require additional protections such as professional liability, cyber, or theft coverage. Review client contracts to determine exact COI requirements.
GL is the foundation, but clients often require more than GL depending on the job.
Should I get professional liability along with general liability?
Yes, professional liability (errors and omissions) covers claims of mistakes or service failures and complements general liability. It is especially important if you provide cleaning advice, stain removal, or special services that could lead to client claims.
Yes. Add professional liability to cover service-related mistakes.
Do subcontractors require separate insurance or endorsements?
If you hire subcontractors, you should verify they carry their own GL and workers’ comp. Many brokers add contractual liability endorsements to protect you from claims arising from subcontractor work and clarify responsibilities in client contracts.
Yes, protect yourself with contract-related endorsements when you work with subs.
Do clients usually require a COI for every job?
Clients often require a COI before work begins, and some may ask for updated COIs if your policies change. Proactively providing COIs speeds up onboarding and reduces friction with clients.
Often yes. Be ready to provide COIs promptly.
How long does it take to obtain cleaning business insurance?
The timeline varies by business size and the insurer, but many applications take a few days to a few weeks. Working with a broker who specializes in cleaning businesses can accelerate the process.
It can take from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on complexity.
The Essentials
- Start with general liability and workers’ comp as baselines
- Clients may require a COI before work begins
- Add professional liability for services and advice
- Include auto, property, and equipment coverage as needed
- Review coverage regularly when hiring staff or expanding services