Not all cleaning jobs come with the same risks, and your insurance should reflect the nuances. Whether you’re scrubbing residential kitchens or sanitizing office suites, the environments, expectations, and exposures differ.
So, what type of insurance is best for a cleaning company? The answer depends on your service model. Residential and commercial cleaning insurance each serve different needs, and choosing the wrong coverage could leave gaps that cost your business dearly. This article explores the differences between these two policy types so you can protect your operations across the board.
What Does Commercial Cleaning Insurance Typically Cover?
Commercial cleaning involves higher-risk environments, larger spaces, and stricter client requirements. Think about cleaning a corporate office, warehouse, or retail space — any of these jobs might involve expensive equipment, hazardous materials, or work in public areas where injury risk is elevated. As demand for commercial cleaning services grows, be sure you have the following coverages in place.
- General liability insurance (GL): GL often has higher limits than a residential-focused policy. It helps protect against claims of property damage or bodily injury—common in settings where heavy foot traffic or industrial cleaning tools are involved.
- Workers’ compensation: This coverage becomes even more essential as commercial cleaners often work at heights, around machinery, or on rotating teams. If you’re bidding on contracts, especially for government or corporate accounts, you may also be required to carry specific limits or endorsements.
- Property and equipment coverage: You’ll need this coverage if you operate multiple vehicles or transport high-value tools across sites. Not having the right coverage here could mean paying out of pocket after an accident or theft.
How Is Residential Cleaning Insurance Different?
Residential cleaning typically occurs in homes or apartments, where the risk profile changes. In these environments, you’re dealing with client trust, personal property, and often, pets or children.
Lower limits may be appropriate in residential settings, but that doesn’t mean risk disappears. Claims related to minor property damage — like broken vases, scratched floors, or accidents — may be more common. And many homeowners expect your policy to respond quickly and without confusion if something goes wrong.
Unlike commercial contracts that rely heavily on compliance and performance standards, residential cleaning businesses are judged more on trust, personal interactions, and how comfortable clients feel letting you into their homes. That’s why having a clean, well-structured residential cleaning insurance policy can offer peace of mind for both you and your clients.
What Type of Insurance Do You Need If You Offer Both?
Many cleaning businesses cross over, servicing both homeowners and businesses. In these hybrid models, the key is disclosure. Let your insurance agent know the full scope of services you offer, especially if your coverage was originally built for just one niche.
Coverage should be flexible enough to account for varying limits, equipment usage, and client expectations across jobs. For example, your general liability policy might need tiered limits or endorsements to satisfy both residential and commercial clients.
An experienced advisor can help bundle and structure your policies for efficiency — so you’re not overpaying, but still covered where it counts.
Are You Covered for the Jobs You Take?
Insurance shouldn’t be a guessing game. Whether you’re deep-cleaning homes or sanitizing commercial kitchens, coverage gaps can emerge when policies aren’t reviewed regularly. Common misses include failing to update client types, expanding service areas without notifying your insurer, or lacking umbrella coverage when contract requirements increase.
Moody Clean Insurance understands the cleaning industry and can help assess whether your policy supports your growth or holds you back. Contact Moody Clean Insurance to schedule a personalized review that aligns your coverage with your business model — residential, commercial, or both.
About Moody Clean Insurance
Helping one cleaning business started it all. Three decades later, Moody is one of the largest insurance providers to both independent and franchise cleaning businesses throughout the country. Put decades of experience to work for your cleaning operations. Regardless of size or cleaning specialty, we can help your cleaning business chart a strategic economical path for your risk management and insurance. Relationships all start with a first conversation. Reach out and let’s schedule a time to talk about protecting and growing your cleaning business.
