House cleaning insurance is among the cheapest small-business insurance — Insureon shows GL at $51/month and a BOP at $79/month. The often-overlooked cost is a janitorial bond ($9/month) which many clients require.
Most residential cleaning businesses pay about $51 a month for general liability and $79 a month for a business owner's policy (BOP), based on Insureon's figures for its own customers.
Price is one part of it. Our house cleaning insurance guide covers which policies you need and why.
Compare business insurance options
House Cleaner Insurance Cost Breakdown
Premiums from Insureon's 2026 house cleaner cost data for its own customers (Insureon calls them averages; its method note describes median premiums):
| Coverage | Average Monthly | Average Annual |
|---|---|---|
| General liability (GL) | $51/mo | $608/yr |
| Business owners policy (BOP) | $79/mo | $945/yr |
| Surety bond | $9/mo | $112/yr |
How to Lower Your House Cleaner Insurance Cost
- Carry a janitorial bond ($9/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
What Drives House Cleaner Insurance 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
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does house cleaner insurance cost?
Per Insureon's 2026 data, general liability averages $51/month ($608/year), a business owners policy averages $79/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 residential cleaning businesses to get insurance quotes?
It depends on how many policies residential cleaning businesses need and how quickly you can supply the details. Chubb says a basic online quote often takes only a few minutes for a simple business. A surety bond usually involves a credit check. Having these details ready is the fastest way to get quotes; see what you need for a business insurance quote.
Should residential cleaning businesses buy insurance direct or through an agent?
Either can work for residential cleaning businesses. Buying direct from an insurer online suits a simple business that needs one or two policies. An agent or broker who compares several insurers helps most when a contract or license requires a bond, because you are buying several policies at once. Neither route is cheaper by default: each insurer prices its own business types and states, so comparing quotes is the only way to know.
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 ($9/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.
Related Guides for House Cleaner Insurance
For the coverages residential cleaning businesses need and what insurers ask before they quote, see our house cleaning insurance guide.