Cleaning Insurance
Specialist cleaning insurance for small domestic and commercial cleaning businesses from £3.46 a month.*
- Public Liability up to £5m
- Join over 150,000 customers**
- Flexible Payment Plans – 0% APR
From £3.46* a month
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What does cleaning insurance cover?
Our insurance for cleaners can include the essential liability cover you need to protect you against claims you might receive and make sure you are operating securely, avoiding financial losses. Public liability for cleaners is included and you can add extras such as employers’ liability, depending on the requirements and size of your business.
The same public liability and equipment protection applies when carrying out work under commercial cleaning insurance; whether that’s maintaining office spaces, retail units, or other commercial premises, so small businesses can take on these contracts with confidence
Our policies are designed to be flexible for cleaners, whether you operate from a fixed location, are a mobile cleaner or are in charge of cleaning staff our policy can allow you to select the cover level most suitable for you.
Make sure you have the correct insurance for your activities and be sure to check if any exclusions are relevant to what you have planned in policy documentation.
Public Liability
Equipment
Property Damage
Employers' Liability
Loss of Keys
Public Liability
- Up to £5 million available.
- Protection from claims filed by a third-party (i.e. member of the public) who sustains injuries during the event or has their property damaged.
Equipment Cover
- Up to £250 covered as standard.
- Increase up to £12,000 worth of cover.
- Cover for your equipment against theft, loss and accidental damage. Optional increase to the cover to include theft from unattended vehicles.
Property Damage from Cleaning
- Up to £2,500 covered as standard.
- Increase up to £5000 worth of cover.
- For damage to the item(s) or surfaces you are cleaning at the time you are cleaning it. It also covers damage caused by chemicals you use. Excluding cleaning of machinery and cleaning involving sand blasting and/or pressure cleaning of any nature.
Employers’ Liability
- Up to £10 million available.
- Protection from claims against employee incidents, if that employee suffers a work-related injury and brings a claim against you.
- If you employ any staff members, Employers’ Liability is a legal requirement.
Dishonesty Cover
- Up to £10,000 for the period of cover, restricted to a £1,000 per employee.
- Cover if your employees have acted dishonestly, fraudulently or committed embezzlement.
Loss of Keys
- Up to £5000 for new keys, replacement locks, the cost of re-setting intruder alarms and associated call-out costs.
- Wear & Tear of equipment.
- Theft of tools from unattended vehicles unless the optional cover to include has been added.
- Businesses over 5 employees including yourself.
- The cleaning of machinery, with the exception of domestic ovens.
- Sand blasting and/or pressure cleaning of any nature.
For further information on exclusions in your cover please refer to policy documentation.
Why do you need cleaning cover?
As a cleaner, your clients depend on you to deliver impeccable cleaning services wherever you are. They count on your attention to detail and reliability to ensure spaces are pristine. However organised and efficient you are things can go wrong. Cleaners Insurance offers protection for cleaners against potential claims that may arise from various risks and incidents during your work.
Many cleaners are now asked to service offices and shops. Commercial cleaning insurance is essential for these contracts, which often involve high-value equipment and busier environments, making this protection especially important even for smaller operations.
With our cleaning insurance, you can be confident that you are operating responsibly and safeguarding yourself from significant financial losses. Consider some common scenarios that could lead to claims:
Protection from claims if a member of the public gets injured.
This could be a client tripping over your cleaning equipment, whilst your working, or it could be damage caused to a personal affect like staining a household surface. Either way, in the event of incidents like these, you are vulnerable to a substantial compensation claim, as well as other associated costs.
To make sure you’re protected against these claims you’ll need the correct value of public liability insurance to ensure you’re covered.
An employee or temporary worker suffers an accident during work.
Employees may be at risk of accidents or injuries during their cleaning work. If employees or temporary workers clean for you, employers’ liability is a legal obligation with fines of £2500 per day for failing to comply.
Protect your cleaning equipment from damage.
Depending on your cleaning services, you may have invested in expensive tools and equipment, which could become damaged or lost. For instance, whilst transporting your equipment from job to job, it could be dropped and subsequently damaged.
With the right equipment cover you can make a claim to replace or repair equipment you’ve hired, leased, loaned, or own yourself.
Protection for specific cleaning damage.
If a cleaning chemical, you use causes damage to a carpet or floor surface for example you could be responsible to cover the cost of the damage. This accident could cost you hundreds of pounds to remedy.
Having suitable cleaning damage cover can safeguard you from these costly incidents, providing protection from these related claims.
Types of Cleaning Services covered
Our cleaning insurance is designed to accommodate a wide range of cleaning services, whether you’re an individual cleaner or run a larger business. Here’s an overview of the types of services we cover.
With our comprehensive range of options, you can find the right cover to suit your specific cleaning services.
- Domestic Cleaning: General household cleaning services that maintain cleanliness and order in homes.
- Commercial Office Cleaning: Specialised cleaning for office spaces, including floors, workstations, restrooms, and break areas.
- Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning: Ideal for those working with fabric surfaces like carpets, curtains, and furniture, ensuring they’re free of stains and dirt.
- Stone & Floor Cleaning: Includes stone cleaning and maintenance, ensuring floors and other stone surfaces remain in pristine condition.
- Specialised Cleaning Services:
- School and Educational Facilities Cleaning: Cover for cleaning school spaces, taking into account the unique needs and high traffic.
- Drain Cleaning: Insurance tailored to high-intensity cleaning tasks such as drain clearing.
- Wheelie Bin Cleaning: Suitable for those who provide deep cleaning services for bins.
Our experts explain why...
“As a professional in the cleaning industry, whether servicing residential homes, corporate offices, or commercial establishments, securing the appropriate insurance cover is paramount. Cleaning Insurance provides robust protection against potential claims of property damage or personal injury that may arise during your operations. Imagine an incident where a client’s valuable artwork is inadvertently damaged, or a slip-and-fall accident occurs on a freshly cleaned surface. Without comprehensive cover, such events could result in substantial financial liabilities. Our Cleaning Insurance ensures that you can perform your duties with the assurance you are protected against unforeseen risks.”
Mandy Czyz, Protectivity Underwriter
How much does cleaning insurance cost?
Each cleaning business will offer a unique service so, the cost of cleaners insurance can vary depending on what you offer and the level of cover you need. For example, if you use specialist equipment to create your items you may need to increase the value of cover.
At Protectivity policies start at just £3.46* a month.
Prices from
£3.46* a month
Explainer quote
Policy cost
£3.46* a month
Policy type
Cleaners
Duration
Annual
Turnover
£50,000
Public Liability
£1,000,000
Equipment
£250 (£75 excess)
Property Damage from Cleaning
£2500
This example is based on a real quote from our website on 1/10/2024. If your circumstances and cover needs differ, your quote may be more or less expensive than the above example. The quote you receive will reflect the information you share about your event. The quoted price may vary from those displayed here.
What affects the cost of Cleaning Insurance?
Several factors affect the cost of your cleaning insurance. Knowing these can help you select the right level of cover and better plan for the expense.
For the most accurate estimate, we recommend getting a tailored quote based on your specific business needs.
- Type of Cleaning Services Provided: Some types of cleaning, especially those involving chemicals or heavy-duty equipment, might have higher premiums due to increased risk.
- Work Location: Whether you work in high-traffic public areas or private homes, the location can influence costs. Businesses with frequent interaction with the public might see higher premiums.
- Number of Employees: Insurance costs can increase with the size of your team since more employees mean a higher likelihood of potential claims.
- Annual Revenue and Turnover: Larger businesses or those with higher revenue might see a different premium structure due to increased business activity.
- Claims History: Previous claims can affect your rate, with a history of incidents potentially leading to higher costs.
- Specialised Equipment Needs: If you rely on high-value equipment, you might choose to add equipment cover, which will impact your total premium.
Have a question?
For further information on your policy, renewals, making a claim and contacting us, you’ll find an extensive list of FAQs on our Help & Support page.
Why choose Protectivity for your cleaning insurance policy?
Let the reviews of over 3,500 customers explain why you should choose us.¹
Trusted by over 150,000 customers.
Experienced insurance providers for over 30 years.
Over 3,500 highly rated reviews.
Proof of our excellent customer service.
Experienced Claims Handling
A smooth and efficient claims process.
UK Based Customer Support
Our UK sales team are here to help.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Why do I need cleaning insurance?
Our cleaning insurance protects you from potential financial losses due to incidents like accidental property damage, personal injury, or equipment theft while on the job.
Whether you’re self-employed or run a larger cleaning business, having the right insurance can safeguard your finances and offer peace of mind in case of claims.
Our cleaning insurance policies are designed to protect you from a variety of situations where accidental damage or injury might occur during your work. Here are some real-life scenarios our insurance covers:
- Accidental Damage to Property: You’re cleaning in a home office and accidentally knock over an expensive piece of equipment, like a laptop or a high-value decorative item.
- Chemical Spills: During carpet cleaning, a spill of cleaning chemicals damages a client’s flooring. Our insurance can cover the costs of repair or replacement.
- Slip-and-Fall Accidents: After mopping a commercial floor, a member of the public slips and sustains an injury. With our public liability insurance, any compensation and legal fees related to the incident are covered.
- Equipment Damage: Your essential cleaning equipment is accidentally damaged or stolen on the job. With equipment insurance, you’ll have coverage to repair or replace these valuable tools.
- Employee Incidents: If you employ staff, we offer employer’s liability coverage. For instance, if an employee gets injured from a fall while working on an elevated surface, this insurance helps cover associated costs.
Our insurance cover for cleaners provides peace of mind, allowing you to focus on delivering excellent service without the worry of unexpected incidents impacting your business.
What types of insurance do cleaners need?
Depending on your own business needs, the following types of insurance may be suitable for your cleaning business:
- Cleaners typically benefit from several types of insurance:
- Public Liability Insurance: Covers claims of injury or property damage caused to third parties.
- Employers’ Liability Insurance: Required by law if you employ staff, covering employee injuries or illnesses related to their work.
- Equipment Insurance: Protects your cleaning tools and equipment against loss, theft, or damage.
- Property Damage Coverage: Specifically covers damages caused to clients’ property during the cleaning process.
What types of claims are most common in the cleaning industry?
Common claims include slip-and-fall injuries on freshly cleaned surfaces, accidental damage to clients’ belongings, and theft or damage of cleaning equipment. Public liability and equipment insurance are especially helpful in covering these scenarios.
Do I need insurance if I clean part-time or only have one client?
Even if you work part-time or have a single client, having adequate cover is still valuable. Accidents can happen at any time, and having insurance ensures you’re protected against claims that could arise, even from small jobs.
Will cleaning insurance cover theft of my equipment from my vehicle?
Yes, with the right level of equipment insurance, theft from your vehicle can be covered. This typically applies as long as you follow our policy conditions, such as locking the vehicle and keeping equipment secured when unattended.
Are self-employed cleaners required to have insurance?
While not legally required, it’s highly advisable. As a self-employed cleaner, you are directly responsible for any accidents, damage, or injuries that may happen while working. Insurance protects your finances and your reputation, allowing you to work worry-free.
Does cleaning insurance cover damage to clients’ property?
Yes, our policies can cover accidental damage to clients’ property, such as spills on carpets or scratched surfaces, depending on your level of property damage coverage. Always check the specifics of your policy to understand what incidents are covered.
Is cleaning insurance legally required?
Public liability insurance is not legally required but is highly recommended to protect against potential claims. However, if you have employees, employers’ liability insurance is legally required by the Employers’ Liability Act 1969 in the UK, with fines for non-compliance.
I and/or my employees provide cleaning above 5 metres off ground level, is this okay?
We can only consider cleaning guttering above 5 metres off of the ground and under 10 metres off of the ground, otherwise this is not something we can assist with. We would require you to adhere to the endorsements we highlight when you select the cleaning guttering trade, headered Height Limit (Amended) – Gutter Cleaning and Safety Harness Condition.
How many employees can I insure within my policy?
We can provide insurance for cleaning companies with no more than 5 members of staff. If your company has more than 5 staff, unfortunately we are unable to help.
Are my cleaning tools covered for theft when inside my vehicle?
No, unless you select the “Theft From Unattended Vehicles” selection during your quote and purchase process and pay the additional premium relating to this.
Are my cleaning tools and equipment covered?
Yes, in the event your equipment is subject to theft, loss and accidental damage, your equipment will be covered up to the value of £250 as standard with the option to increase up to £12,000.
Can I include liability cover for subcontractors I use to aid my business?
This depends on your agreement with your subcontractors. Labour-only subcontractors (working under your direction) can be included on your policy of insurance, for work they provide under contract with yourself and your business only and should be included in the total numbers you provide in this application of insurance.
Bona-fide subcontractors (working under their own direction) will have to have their own insurance cover and cannot be included on your insurance policy but you will be obligated to retain proof of their insurance.
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This page content has been created for general information and should not be taken as advice.
*Prices quoted refer to a quote raised from our website 01/10/2024. Prices will differ depending on requirements. Make sure you have the correct level of cover for what you need. For the most accurate pricing, please get a quote and for full details on what is covered refer to our policy documentation with your quote.
** Based on Protectivity sales data from 2007 to Sep 2024
ˆ10% discount for policies bought online and applies only to the first-year of your policy premium. Protectivity reserves the right to amend or withdraw this offer at any time. Available to UK residents only.
¹Based on live Feefo data