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Cleaning business insurance and bonding in Illinois
Learn about business insurance requirements and the most common policies for cleaning businesses in Illinois.
Find the right coverage
Insureon helps cleaning businesses find insurance and bonds that match their unique risks.
Get free expert advice and peace of mind knowing you have the right property and liability coverage for your small business.
What are the most common policies for Illinois cleaning businesses?
Cleaning companies may need different types of insurance coverage depending on the work they do, client contracts, partnerships, and other factors. These policies offer the best coverage for cleaning professionals in Illinois.
General liability insurance
A general liability policy covers common cleaning risks, such as client property damage and bodily injuries. It's often the first insurance policy purchased by a cleaning business.
BEST FOR
- Clients slipping on wet floors
- Damage to customer property
- Advertising injury lawsuits
Workers’ compensation insurance
Almost every state requires workers' comp for cleaning businesses that have employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work injury costs that health insurance might deny.
BEST FOR
- Employee medical bills
- Disability benefits
- Lawsuits over employee injuries
Commercial auto insurance
Commercial auto insurance provides property and liability coverage in an accident involving your business vehicle. It also covers vehicle theft and vandalism.
BEST FOR
- Car accidents
- Weather damage
- Vandalism and theft
Business owner's policy
Small cleaning business are often eligible for a business owner's policy. A BOP bundles general liability and commercial property insurance at a discount.
BEST FOR
- Client injuries
- Accidents that damage a client's property
- Damaged or destroyed cleaning equipment
Commercial umbrella insurance
Commercial umbrella insurance boosts business insurance coverage for general liability insurance, commercial auto insurance, and employer's liability insurance.
BEST FOR
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Employee injury lawsuits
- Lawsuits over customer injuries
Janitorial bonds
Janitorial bonds are a type of surety bond. They protect cleaning and janitorial businesses against employee dishonesty, such as theft of client property.
BEST FOR
- Employee dishonesty
- Theft of money from a client
- Stolen property
Looking for different coverage? See more policies.
What insurance do you need for a cleaning business in Illinois?
Depending on the specifics of your Illinois cleaning business, you may be required to hold several different types of business insurance policies before you can take on clients or secure commercial cleaning contracts.
View video transcript.
[video: an animated header displays the Insureon logo. Underneath it, a subheading displays the text: "What insurance do I need for my cleaning business?"]
MALE VOICEOVER: From house cleaners to commercial janitorial services, cleaning businesses face several risks daily. Having the right insurance will protect your cleaning company from accidents, equipment theft, and other financially devastating claims.
[video: an illustrated header displays the text: "The right coverage will help your business survive unexpected claims and lawsuits."]
So, which types of business insurance should a cleaning business carry?
[video: an illustrated header displays the text: "What types of insurance do I need for my cleaning business?"]
The most popular and often required policies include:
[video: an illustrated header displays the text: "The most common policies that a cleaning business needs include..."]
General liability insurance, which protects against basic third party risks, such as a customer injury, or damage to their property.
[video: an illustrated header displays the text: "General liability guards against:"]
[video: Under above header, three bullet points display the text: "Customer bodily injuries"; "Damaged customer property"; "Libel and advertising injuries"]
Workers' compensation insurance is usually required for businesses with employees, and protects against workplace illnesses or injuries.
[video: an illustrated header displays the text: "Workers' compensation helps with:"]
[video: Under above header, three bullet points display the text: "Employee medical expenses"; "Disability benefits"; "Legal fees from lawsuits"]
Commercial auto insurance covers vehicle theft, vandalism, and accidents involving your company's vehicle. Most states require this coverage for businesses that own vehicles.
[video: an illustrated header displays the text: "Commercial auto covers:"]
[video: Under above header, three bullet points display the text: "Physical damage and collisions"; "Injuries caused by your vehicle"; "Repairs due to weather or vandalism"]
A business owner's policy, or BOP, bundles general liability and commercial property coverage together. It usually costs less than purchasing each of these policies separately.
[video: an illustrated header displays the text: "A business owner's policy covers:"]
[video: Under above header, three bullet points display the text: "Client accidents"; "Stolen or damaged business property"; "Business interruptions"]
Janitorial bonds provide reimbursement to your client if an employee steals from them. These bonds are sometimes required in client contracts.
[video: an illustrated header displays the text: "Janitorial bonds cover:"]
[video: Under above header, three bullet points display the text: "Employee theft or fraud"; "Illegal funds transfer by an employee"; "Client contract requirements"]
Your unique business operations will likely determine what types of insurance you need and how much of a specific coverage you should carry. It's best to speak with your insurance agent to understand which policies can meet both your business needs and your budget.
[video: an illustrated header displays the text: "Speak with your insurance agent to find the right policies for your cleaning company."]
Get free insurance quotes for your cleaning business with Insureon today.
[video: an illustrated white header displays the text: "Insureon is your #1 agency for small business insurance"]
Click the link to get started.
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Workers' compensation insurance
To meet state requirements in Illinois, every small business with employees must provide workers’ compensation insurance, which covers medical costs and disability benefits when an employee is injured on the job or develops an occupational illness.
Sole proprietors may not need workers' compensation coverage for their cleaning business license, but it's still a good idea to carry this insurance. Personal health insurance doesn't cover work-related injuries, so it can save you from out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Commercial auto insurance
Business vehicles in Illinois must be covered by a commercial auto policy.
Commercial auto insurance protects vehicles owned by your cleaning services business. It covers property damage and medical bills in an accident, along with vehicle theft, weather damage, and vandalism.
Though it's not required, personal vehicles driven for work purposes should be covered by hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA), as personal auto policies usually exclude business use. It can be added to general liability insurance or a business owner's policy (BOP).
General liability insurance
General liability insurance is the foundation of a cleaning professional's protection. It covers legal fees related to accidents that damage a client's property or cause a bodily injury, along with libel and other advertising injuries.
Cleaning businesses in Illinois may be required to have a general liability policy depending on the counties they work in and the type of work they do. They also might need it to sign a commercial lease or meet the terms of a client's contract.
Adding commercial umbrella insurance can boost the coverage limits on commercial general liability (CGL) insurance and other policies.
Janitorial bonds
A janitorial bond is a type of surety bond that reimburses your clients for employee theft. Unlike insurance, your bond carrier will expect reimbursement when it pays for a claim. Your clients might request that your residential cleaning or janitorial company secure this coverage.
Protect your cleaning business with the right coverage
How much is insurance for a small cleaning business in Illinois?
Small business owners in Illinois who buy cleaners' insurance policies from Insureon pay an average of:
General liability: $71 per month
Workers' comp: $127 per month
Business owner's policy: $95 per month
Insurance companies look at several factors when calculating your cleaning business insurance costs, including:
- Type of cleaning services offered (maid services, Airbnb, etc.)
- Business equipment and property, such as vacuum cleaners, cleaning supplies, etc.
- Annual business revenue
- Where your business operates
- How many employees you have
- Coverage limits and deductibles
When do you need a cleaning business license in Illinois?
In Illinois, all residential and commercial cleaning service businesses must apply for a business license. Your county or city might also have their own unique requirements. For example:
Chicago requires cleaning companies to have a general business license, which can be obtained from the City of Chicago's Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BCAP) department.
Springfield mandates cleaning businesses to obtain a general business license through the City Clerk's Office or the Office of Economic Development.
If your business offers specialized services like carpet cleaning, you'll likely need to get additional licenses or permits, such as a water discharge permit. Also, if you deal with hazardous materials or provides janitorial services to commercial buildings, you may be required to carry extra permits or certifications.
Different than a janitorial bond, your cleaning business may be asked to carry license or permit bonds. These bonds assure local agencies and your clients that your business will complete a project in accordance with the law, building codes, and other regulations.
Looking at your municipality's requirements before starting your cleaning services business is a key step, as they'll be able to tell you which licenses, bonds, permits, and fees you need to acquire or pay.
How to get insurance for a cleaning business
Whether you're looking for cleaning liability insurance for self-employed professionals or a multi-person operation, you'll need to have some basic info about your business on hand to get free quotes. This includes your annual revenue, years of experience, and number of employees.
You can buy a policy online and get a certificate of insurance with Insureon in three easy steps:
- Complete a free online application
- Compare business insurance quotes and choose a policy
- Pay for your insurance policy and download a certificate of insurance
Insureon's licensed insurance agents work with top-rated U.S. providers to find the right types of coverage options for your cleaning business needs, whether you work independently or have several employees working for you.
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