House cleaning insurance is among the cheapest small-business insurance — Insureon shows GL at $44/month and a BOP at $69/month. The often-overlooked cost is a janitorial bond ($10/month) which many clients require. For solo residential cleaners, total core coverage typically runs $50-$80/month.
House Cleaner Insurance Cost Breakdown
Average premiums from Insureon's 2026 house cleaner cost data — median policies sold:
| Coverage | Average Monthly | Average Annual |
|---|---|---|
| General liability (GL) | $44/mo | $528/yr |
| Business owners policy (BOP) | $69/mo | $832/yr |
| Surety bond | $10/mo | $120/yr |
What Drives the Cost Up or Down
- Number of cleaners (employees vs contractors)
- Number of accounts and properties cleaned
- Whether you carry keys to client homes
- Use of cleaning chemicals and equipment
- Claims history (property damage during cleaning is common)
- Location and state
Want Multiple Quotes from One Agent?
We'll match you with a licensed independent agent in your state who's appointed with multiple carriers. They'll run quotes on your behalf, walk you through the differences, and you decide. Free for you — we earn a referral fee from the agent.
How to Lower Your House Cleaner Insurance Cost
- Carry a janitorial bond ($10/month average) — clients increasingly require it
- Document key control protocols and worker background checks
- Maintain detailed before/after photos for damage disputes
- Bundle GL + bond + WC if you have employees
- Use commercial-grade cleaning products and keep MSDS sheets accessible
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does house cleaner insurance cost?
Per Insureon's 2026 data, general liability averages $44/month ($528/year), a business owners policy averages $69/month. Total premium depends on revenue, employees, state, and claims history.
What insurance do I need as a house cleaner?
Most residential cleaning businesses need: general liability (often bundled into a business owners policy), a surety bond if your work requires it. The specific mix depends on your operations, employee count, and any contractual requirements from clients or vendors.
How long does it take to get insurance for my business?
For small operations, fast — direct carriers like biBERK, NEXT, and Hiscox can bind GL and BOP coverage online in under 15 minutes. For full-package coverage through Hartford, Travelers, Acuity, or a regional carrier via an independent agent, expect 2-5 business days for quotes. Specialty operations or accounts with prior claims take longer because they need underwriter review.
Should I buy direct or go through an agent?
Both work. Direct carriers (biBERK, NEXT, Hiscox) are faster and often cheaper for solo and small operations. An independent agent gives you access to more carriers — including regional and specialty markets that don't sell direct — and is usually the better fit for businesses with employees, vehicles, or any operational complexity. The trade-off is speed: direct quotes take 15 minutes; agent-driven multi-quote takes a few days.
Do I need a janitorial bond if I'm a solo house cleaner?
Many residential clients expect a bond even from solo cleaners — it protects them from employee theft, dishonesty, or fraud while you're working in their home. The bond is inexpensive ($10/month per Insureon) and signals professionalism. Most commercial cleaning contracts require it; for residential, it's increasingly common but not always mandated.
What if I break something in a client's home?
General liability covers accidental property damage caused during cleaning — a dropped vase, scratched floor, broken decoration. The standard $1M per-occurrence limit is more than adequate for most house cleaning damage claims. Document the incident immediately with photos, notify your insurer, and let the carrier coordinate with the client. Avoid direct payment to clients without insurer involvement.
Compare Carriers for House Cleaner Insurance
For an independent breakdown of which carriers actually write house cleaner insurance well in 2026 — Hartford, biBERK, NEXT, Travelers and the regional/specialty markets — see our independent carrier comparison.
Get Quotes from a Local Independent Agent
If you'd rather have one licensed agent in your state run quotes across multiple carriers, fill out the form below. Free. No obligation. We'll send a personal intro within a business day.
QuoteSweep is not an insurance broker and does not sell insurance. We connect small businesses with licensed independent agents in our network at no cost to you. Agents may pay QuoteSweep a referral fee. Your information is shared only with the agent we match you to.