Which insurance policies and bonds cleaning businesses commonly carry, what each one covers, the gaps to watch for and how to keep premiums under control.
Cleaners work inside other people’s homes and offices, handle keys and alarm codes, use chemicals and equipment around valuable property and often drive between sites. That creates real risk: a slip on a freshly mopped floor, a broken vase, a damaged floor finish, a vehicle accident, an employee injury or an accusation of theft. Insurance protects the business from losses that could otherwise close it, and many clients, especially commercial ones, will not sign a contract without proof of coverage.
EZTime task management lets you assign one-time or recurring tasks to each shift and see them done.
| Coverage | What it generally covers | Who needs it |
|---|---|---|
| General liability | Third-party bodily injury and property damage claims arising from your work | Almost every cleaning business |
| Workers’ compensation | Medical costs and lost wages for employees injured on the job | Required in nearly all states once you have employees |
| Commercial auto | Vehicles owned or used by the business for work | Businesses that drive to client sites |
| Hired and non-owned auto | Liability when employees use their own cars for work | Teams that drive personal vehicles between jobs |
| Janitorial or fidelity bond | Claims that an employee stole from a client | Residential and commercial cleaners with access to client premises |
| Care, custody or control | Damage to client property you are working on | Often needed because general liability may exclude it |
| Equipment or inland marine | Your tools and machines, including at client sites or in transit | Businesses with expensive equipment |
| Business owner’s policy (BOP) | A package of general liability and property coverage | Small businesses with an office or storage space |
| Umbrella or excess liability | Extra limits above other liability policies | Businesses with large contracts or higher risk |
| Employment practices liability | Claims such as discrimination or wrongful termination | Businesses with several employees |
Coverage terms and names vary by insurer and state. Always read the policy wording or ask your agent exactly what is covered and excluded.
General liability is the foundation, covering claims such as a client tripping over your vacuum cord. But many general liability policies exclude damage to property in your “care, custody or control”, which can include the very surfaces and items you are cleaning. If a cleaner ruins a marble countertop with the wrong product, the standard policy may not pay. Ask your agent whether you need a specific endorsement or separate coverage for client property.
Cleaning is physical work with chemicals, lifting, ladders and wet floors, so injuries happen. Nearly every state requires workers’ compensation insurance once you have employees, although thresholds and rules differ (Texas, for example, allows most private employers to opt out, with significant consequences). Premiums are based on job classification and payroll, so classify cleaners correctly and keep accurate payroll records. See our workers’ compensation guide and workplace injury.
A janitorial bond, sometimes called a fidelity bond, is not insurance for your business in the usual sense. It provides a way for clients to be compensated if an employee is found to have stolen from them, and many residential and commercial clients expect it. Some bonds require a conviction or proof before paying. Read the terms, and remember that a bond does not replace careful hiring, key control and clear procedures. Clear job descriptions, reference checks where lawful and consistent supervision all reduce the chance of a claim.
If the business owns vans, commercial auto insurance is essential. If employees drive their own cars between clients, the business can be drawn into claims after an accident during work travel, and a personal auto policy may not cover business use. Hired and non-owned auto coverage helps fill that gap. Keep a record of who drives for work and check their licenses. For pay, remember that travel between client sites is generally working time; see our travel time pay rules.
Do not sign a contract with insurance requirements you have not checked against your actual policies.
Insurers and clients ask for evidence: who was on site, when, and what was done. Time records with locations, completed checklists with photos and incident reports help you respond to claims quickly and fairly. They can also show that a complaint relates to a time when none of your staff were present. See our incident report template.
EZTime records when each cleaner arrived and left each site using the mobile app with location, stores completed digital checklists and incident reports, and keeps payroll-ready time data by job and client. That documentation supports claims handling, client questions and workers’ compensation audits. EZTime does not provide insurance.
Usually general liability, workers’ compensation once you have employees, commercial or non-owned auto coverage and a janitorial bond, plus other coverage depending on your work.
No. A bond provides compensation to clients for employee theft under its terms; it does not replace liability insurance.
Not always. Many policies exclude property in your care, custody or control. Ask about an endorsement or separate coverage.
In most states, yes. Requirements generally apply to part-time employees as well.
Consider hired and non-owned auto coverage, since personal policies may not cover business use.
To confirm that you carry the coverage and limits their contract requires.
In EZTime, a routine like this can run as a recurring task assigned to a person, team or location, with photo proof and an alert when it is late.