House cleaners face a number of risks in their daily operations. They drive from location to location, enter client homes, use equipment and chemicals on their property, and sometimes in their presence. There’s liability potential from property damage and injury at each stage of this process. One mistake could lead to a lawsuit, and the legal fees and damages could wipe out your assets and potentially destroy your business. And whether you own a company with numerous employees and have hundreds of clients, or you are a sole proprietor with only a couple of houses, house cleaner insurance coverage is an essential policy. Before you enter a client’s home, make sure you are protected.

This guide will provide you with all the information you need about house cleaning insurance cost to make the best policy decision and meet all your needs.

We Cover in This Guide

• How much does house cleaning insurance cost?

• What is house cleaning insurance?

• What does house cleaning insurance cover/not cover?

• Benefits and risks

• Types of insurance you may need

• Tips for buying

• FAQ

• Summary

How Much Does House Cleaning Insurance Cost?

House cleaning insurance cost varies depending on your provider, risks, services offered, equipment, employees, and revenue, but can range from $29 to $39 per month. The premium prices for common policies start at:

• Basic (essential coverage to meet client demands): $29 for general liability (GL)
• Standard (when you also have equipment or operate from an office): $39 for general liability (GL) + property; bundle them with a business owners policy (BOP)
• Pro (get protected against employment-related issues): $39 per month for business owners policy (BOP) + workers’ compensation

Most insurers let you add additional coverage to your policy to address your particular needs. 

What Is House Cleaning Insurance?

House cleaning insurance is an important way to protect your business from the risks involved in its daily activities. To do the job well, you interact with property all over a client’s home. While dusting you could knock over some piece of art. Or while vacuuming, someone could trip over the cord and sustain an injury. It is almost inevitable that someone’s property will be broken or harmed in some way at some point in your career as a house cleaner. And if a broken or soiled item is very expensive or has sentimental value, you will be thankful for a policy that covers your legal expenses and potential damages.

What Does House Cleaning Insurance Cover/Not Cover?

The potential liabilities covered under most policies are various, but not universal. Some covered scenarios include expenses if an employee or client gets injured during a job; the cost to replace a hardwood floor if you use improper chemicals for that particular surface; or if an employee gets into an accident while on the way to a client. Other covered categories are:

• Third-party bodily injury

• Third-party property damage

• Personal injury

• Business personal property

• Products/completed operations

• Lost business income

• Equipment breakdown

• Work-related accidents and disease

• Ongoing medical care (like rehab)

• Missed wages during recovery

While standard policies cover many scenarios, there are a number of common risks that are not included and require specialized insurance. Some examples are:

• Automobile accidents in personal or business vehicles

• Damage to property valued higher than your limit

• Employee theft

Benefits And Risks

House cleaning insurance offers various benefits to cover risks, including:

• Peace of Mind: ​Knowing that your business is covered in case something happens outside of your control gives peace of mind to you and your customers. Additionally, clients are more likely to hire cleaners who are adequately insured. 

• Protect Your Assets: Since many people providing cleaning services are sole proprietors, their personal assets are tied to the business and can be used to cover liabilities. This makes insurance especially important because a lawsuit can not only shut down your business, it can destroy your own finances.

• Cover Legal Expenses: If a client, employee, or third party files a lawsuit against you, house cleaning insurance will cover the expenses, including attorney fees and damages.

• Client Compliance: Some individuals or families will only hire a house cleaner who has adequate coverage.

Types Of Insurance You May Need

• General Liability Insurance: This protects your business from injury or accident claims, property damage, and false or misleading advertisement, and pays related costs and expenses.

• Fidelity Bond Insurance: Covers the cost if a customer sues your business as a result of employee theft.

• Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Workers’ compensation covers your business from medical expenses and lost wages if an employee is injured or becomes ill while working.

• Commercial Auto Insurance: Covers liability for damage and injury from accidents when employees are driving company vehicles.

• Non-Owned And Hired Auto Insurance: This policy covers damages or injuries while performing business-related tasks in a vehicle not owned by the individual or the company.

Tips For Buying

When considering house cleaning insurance cost, keep the following in mind before making your decision:

• Work with an Independent Agent: An independent insurance agent will help direct you toward providers with the best rates and the most experience covering house cleaning businesses. 

• Identify your Risks: Be sure to thoroughly analyze your services and identify potential risks. For example, employees and the types of clients you serve will impact your coverage needs and limits. 

• Compare Quotes: Policy costs vary between insurers. Consider several quotes to find the best rates and coverage.

• Bundle Policies: Providers will often provide discounted rates when you combine certain key coverages like a BOP with liability and property. 

FAQ

- Is cleaning insurance required by law?

Some states and cities mandate cleaning insurance for all individuals and companies engaged in this business.

- Does house cleaning insurance cover independent contractors?

Certain types of insurance, like general liability, do not cover the actions of employees paid with a 1099. That means that if such an employee causes damage, your policy may not cover the costs.

- What does it mean to be “bonded and insured”?

This term indicates that a business has taken necessary measures to protect itself and its clients by obtaining a surety bond and minimum insurance coverage.

Summary 

House cleaning insurance protects against potential financial ruin from lawsuits relating to your services. By understanding house cleaning insurance costs and determining your needs, you can know that your policy covers potential risks and feel secure that your business is protected.
 

All Types of Insurance You May Need