Business insurance for Cleaners


A cleaning career can be varied and rewarding, whether you add sparkle to homes or bring offices to life. For a new or long-established cleaning business, insurance may help to keep your reputation polished too.

Public liability insurance could protect cleaners from financial harm if spills or accidents damage a property. It might also step in should a wet floor or loose vacuum cable accidentally cause an injury. From self-employed cleaners to larger commercial cleaning firms, the right insurance can mop up potential issues.

Online quote in 5 minutes

Get a quote

 

Why choose Hiscox for cleaner insurance?


1

Only pay for what you need

A tailored approach could help a cleaner to keep control of insurance costs as you only pay for the products you select.

2

Liability for multiple environments

Hiscox public liability insurance covers cleaners working in homes, offices and other business spaces.

3

Expert business support

Hiscox business insurance customers can gain access to free and discounted support services including HR, legal and funding help.

Get a quote for your business in minutes

Tell us about your business – We’ll help you to build your quote and explore your insurance needs.

Get a quote

Why do cleaners need insurance?


Damaged property

As a self-employed cleaner or the owner of a cleaning business, you understand the importance of handling other people’s property with care. Still, accidents can happen – if your commercial cleaning company is accused of causing a high-spec TV to topple from its stand, insurance could act as a lifeline. Or one of your new cleaners may spill a drink on an office printer, for example.

Hiscox public liability insurance can help financially, with cover for legal costs. It assists with fees and pay-outs, so you can stay focused on achieving the perfect polish.

Accident and injury

When a client gets home early and slips on wet kitchen tiles, as a self-employed cleaner you may need to rely on insurance if the person complains of an injury caused by your work. For a bigger cleaning company, insurance can help if one of your client’s employees trips on a vacuum cable at the office you clean.

Either way, if you’re held liable for damages, it’s good to know public liability insurance may help cleaners to pay legal fees and compensation.

Equipment issues

The opportunity to take on a new cleaning contract is exciting, so you do an inventory of your equipment. Upon testing your steam cleaner, you find it’s been damaged during a previous job. Property away and in transit cover could help repair or replace equipment that is damaged when you’re out and about. It can be built into the business insurance for your cleaning company. Equipment breakdown cover may help with malfunctioning kit.

With the appropriate cover, you can get assistance with keeping things moving and ensure your reputation is as polished as your surfaces.

What insurance is available for cleaners?


Some cleaners tailor their policy with other covers, such as legal protection insurance – useful for contractual disputes – and cyber and data insurance.

Straightforward. I wanted quick insurance for my business, and I got it quickly.
Trusted Customer
Read all reviews
Not sure what you need?

Get in touch and we can help you build an insurance policy tailored to your cleaning business.

Build my cover

Insurance for cleaners: FAQs


What insurance do I need as a self-employed clearner?

When working as a cleaning contractor, you’ll likely need cover under many of the same insurance types as large cleaning companies. This is because several similar risks exist for small and large projects alike.

Having public liability insurance can be especially important for a cleaning contractor who might otherwise struggle to fund a court case and compensation payments. This cover type serves to protect anyone who works with or around members of the public.

Learn more about our full self-employed insurance offering.

What types of cleaning services do Hiscox cover?

Hiscox business insurance covers several types of cleaners and cleaning companies, including self-employed cleaners, commercial cleaning firms and those offering domestic services and housekeeping. For instance, if you support with tasks such as ironing as well as cleaning.

We also cover commercial cleaners and companies working in certain cleaning specialisms, including carpet and upholstery cleaners.

Do you need a licence for a cleaning business in the UK?

Setting up your own cleaning business won’t normally require a specific licence. However, showing proof of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (external link) may increase trust in your enterprise. You could also sign up to voluntary codes of practice run by trade associations.

When it comes to insurance, employers’ liability cover will usually be a legal requirement as and when you take on staff members.


Close up of someone in cleaning gloves spraying onto a floor and wiping with a cloth

How insurance helped a cleaning business facing false allegations

Robyn, the owner of an oven-cleaning business, had to challenge claims she damaged an appliance – find out how insurance can help with false allegations.

Woman sat at table with laptop, writing in notepad and looking at graph on a tablet

How to manage business cash flow

Starting out as a self-employed cleaner? Read our guide to managing business cash flow to keep one eye on your future finances.

Woman drawing property plans on table with construction equipment and hardhat

What business insurance does a sole trader need?

Being your own boss brings freedom, but it could mean you need to consider the insurance asks in your contracts. Read more with our sole trader insurance needs FAQ.