Cleaning business insurance: what you need and what it costs

Updated 2026-05-01

Insurance is the thing that unlocks commercial cleaning contracts. Most property managers, office buildings, and facilities require a certificate of insurance before you set foot in their building. Residential clients increasingly ask for it too. Here's what you need, what it costs, and how to get covered the same day.

The four types of cleaning business coverage

General liability — the one everyone asks for

GL is what commercial clients need to see before signing a contract. It covers:

• Accidentally breaking something at a client's home or business
• A client slipping on a freshly mopped floor
• Water damage from a cleaning mishap (overflowing a sink, spilling on electronics)
• Legal defense costs if anyone sues you — even for unfounded claims

Most commercial clients require $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate.

Janitorial bond — what it is and why you need it

A janitorial bond is a fidelity bond that protects your clients if one of your employees steals from them while cleaning. It's not the same as a surety bond or GL insurance.

Why it matters: Property managers and commercial clients are handing you the keys to their building. A janitorial bond tells them that if something goes missing, there's financial protection. Most commercial cleaning contracts and property management companies require one.

Cost: $100–$300/year. You can often add it to your GL policy or purchase it separately.

Workers' compensation for cleaning businesses

If you have employees — even part-time — most states legally require workers' comp. Cleaning work has real injury risk:

• Slips on wet floors
• Chemical exposure from cleaning products
• Back and shoulder injuries from heavy equipment
• Falls from ladders or step stools

Workers' comp covers medical bills and lost wages. Without it, an injured employee can sue you personally. As you hire your first person, get workers' comp in place before their first day.

Real cleaning business claims

• Cleaner knocks over a TV while dusting — $1,800 replacement claim
• Client slips on a wet floor and sprains their wrist — $12,000 medical claim
• Cleaning solution damages hardwood floors — $8,500 refinishing claim
• Employee leaves water running, bathroom floods — $22,000 water damage claim
• Employee steals jewelry from client's bedroom — janitorial bond pays $3,200

GL and your janitorial bond cover these. Without coverage, they come out of your pocket.

How to get a COI fast

Most commercial cleaning contracts are time-sensitive — you need to show proof of insurance before the contract starts. With online carriers you can bind a policy and download a COI within minutes of applying.