Janitorial Insurance

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Why do janitorial businesses need insurance?

Janitorial business insurance helps cover expenses if a client slips on a wet floor, or a janitor drops a valuable item. It's a must-have in a profession where employees work in homes and offices, and handle client property.

Janitorial professionals cleaning office desks.
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Insureon helps you find property and liability coverage for the unique risks of janitorial services. Fill out one easy application to compare quotes from top insurance companies.

Have questions? Our licensed insurance agents will help you get the right policies that match your business needs.

What types of business insurance do janitors need?

These insurance policies cover common risks faced by janitorial businesses and commercial cleaning companies.

General liability insurance icon

General liability insurance

This liability insurance policy provides financial protection against basic risks, such as client injuries or property damage during cleaning. Add lost key coverage for more complete protection.

BEST FOR
  • Slip-and-fall injuries
  • Accidental property damage
  • Libel and other advertising injuries
Workers’ compensation insurance icon

Workers’ compensation insurance

Most states require workers' comp when you hire your first employee. It also protects sole proprietors from work-related medical costs that health insurance might deny.

BEST FOR
  • Employee medical expenses
  • Disability benefits
  • Lawsuits over employee injuries
Surety bond icon

Janitorial bonds

Janitorial bonds are a type of surety bond that protect your clients from financial loss. They provide reimbursement if a janitor steals money or property from a client.

BEST FOR
  • Theft of money
  • Stolen property
  • Fulfillment of client contracts
Commercial auto insurance icon

Commercial auto insurance

This type of insurance covers injuries and property damage in an accident involving a janitorial company's vehicle. It also covers vehicle theft, vandalism, and weather damage.

BEST FOR
  • Physical damage and collision coverage
  • Medical bills from a vehicle accident
  • Theft and repairs due to vandalism or weather
Business owner’s policy icon

Business owner's policy

A business owner's policy (BOP) is a cost-effective way for a small business to purchase general liability insurance and commercial property insurance together.

BEST FOR
  • Third-party bodily injury
  • Damaged client property
  • Damage to your building or its contents
Umbrella / excess liability insurance icon

Commercial umbrella insurance

Commercial umbrella insurance boosts the policy limits on a janitorial business's general liability, commercial auto, and employer's liability insurance.

BEST FOR
  • Customer injury lawsuits
  • Legal bills from auto accidents
  • Legal expenses from employee injuries
Looking for different coverage? See more policies.

How much does insurance cost for janitorial services?

Cleaning professional calculating cost of insurance for their business.

A janitorial business with only a few workers will pay less for insurance than a larger company.

Other factors that affect janitorial insurance costs include:

How do I get janitorial services insurance?

It’s easy to get insurance coverage for house cleaning, carpet cleaning, and janitorial businesses if you have your business information on hand. Our insurance application will ask for basic facts about your business, such as revenue and number of employees. You can buy a policy online and get a certificate of insurance with Insureon in three easy steps:

  1. Complete a free online application.
  2. Compare insurance quotes and choose policies.
  3. Pay for your policies and download your proof of insurance.

Insureon's licensed agents work with top-rated U.S. insurers to find coverage that fits your janitorial business, whether you work independently or hire employees.

Verified business insurance reviews

Hear from customers like you who purchased small business insurance.

Common questions about janitorial business insurance

Review answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about janitorial company insurance coverage and more.

Do I need a bond for my janitorial service company?

A janitorial bond protects your clients from dishonest employees, such as a janitorial worker who steals client property or those who complete an illegal funds transfer.

While most state laws don't require cleaning companies to purchase janitorial bonds, there are several reasons why you may carry one for your business:

  • Get licensed. Some states may require one to get a cleaning business license. And, cities and counties sometimes have additional licensing laws and requirements, which could include a bond.
  • Sign a contract. Clients might ask your company to carry a bond before they'll allow your employees on their premises. This is especially true for government entities and larger clients that might employ your business.
  • Attract new clients. Customers typically choose to work with a bonded and insured company over one that doesn't carry this protection. It shows clients your business is reliable and guarantees reimbursement in the event of theft.

It's important to note you may also see this kind of bond referred to as a surety bond or a fidelity bond.

Is my janitorial business required to carry commercial car insurance?

If your janitorial services business operates in any state outside of New Hampshire and Virginia, you'll need commercial auto insurance for all business-owned vehicles. Should you or your employees use a company vehicle for work, a private auto insurance policy likely won’t cover work-related accidents.

A commercial auto insurance policy offers liability protection for you and your employees should an incident occur while driving a company vehicle. It'll provide coverage for property damage or personal injuries caused by your business vehicle, as well as your legal expenses. Plus, it'll pay for any medical expenses for yourself or an employee in a work vehicle accident.

Additionally, you'll need hired and non-owned auto (HNOA) insurance if you're an independent janitorial contractor that uses a personal, leased, or rented vehicles for work. This is because your personal or commercial auto insurance policies won’t cover accidents that happen in personal, leased, or rented vehicles during business activities.

What other types of custodial service insurance do I need?

Small business owners may need additional types of insurance to fully protect their businesses from risks and liabilities.

Some key janitorial services insurance policies to consider are:

  • Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions insurance (E&O), 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 personally identifiable 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 off-site. Specifically, contractor's tools and equipment coverage is recommended for cleaning companies that own newer cleaning equipment valued at less than $10,000, like a carpet cleaner.
  • Commercial property insurance safeguards your building and its contents against financial losses from fires, storms, and burglaries. It's important to have commercial property coverage since homeowner's insurance provides little to no protection for business property.
  • Business personal property (BPP) insurance covers your business personal property, which does not include buildings or offices. It protects your cleaning equipment while it's stored at a designated location, but you'll still need inland marine insurance for while it's in transit or at a jobsite.

You can add some of the above coverages, such as cyber insurance and BPP coverage, to your general liability policy as an endorsement.

While it might seem cost-effective to only carry cleaning liability insurance when you're actively working, in the long run it could cost your business greatly. Maintaining continuous janitor insurance coverage can save your business from financially devastating lawsuits.

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