NEXT earned our top spot for the best small business insurer for cleaning organizations due to its top customer service ranking in our study and reasonable pricing for common coverages. However, we recommend comparing quotes from our other top picks, including The Hartford, Thimble, Simply Business and Nationwide.
Best Cleaning Business Insurance
Updated: June 17, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
NEXT is the best business insurance company for cleaning firms because it offers the greatest balance of excellent customer service and affordability.
Thimble offers the cheapest overall commercial insurance for cleaning businesses, with monthly rates starting at $21 for required workers' comp insurance.
To shop for business insurance for your cleaning business, assess the risks in your industry, consult agents and other similar organizations, and compare multiple options.
Best Business Insurance for Cleaning Companies
| NEXT | 92 | 90 | 94 |
| The Hartford | 92 | 91 | 91 |
| Thimble | 91 | 98 | 81 |
| Simply Business | 90 | 89 | 83 |
| Nationwide | 90 | 87 | 91 |
| Coverdash | 88 | 86 | 83 |
| Chubb | 86 | 82 | 87 |
| biBerk | 86 | 82 | 91 |
| Progressive Commercial | 85 | 85 | 81 |
| Hiscox | 83 | 80 | 87 |
*All scores were based on a cleaning business with two employees across professional liability, general liability, workers' comp and BOP policies.
1. NEXT
pros
Best customer service experience
Reasonable rates for most coverage types
Large coverage selection
cons
Slower quote times than competition
Lower financial stability ratings
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
NEXT is the most balanced business insurer for cleaning firms, combining excellent customer service, competitive rates and comprehensive coverage. Despite being newer to the industry with under 10 years of experience, NEXT has earned a 4.7 out of 5.0 rating from over 3,000 customers. It ranks third for affordability, with annual workers' compensation coverage starting at $291.
2. The Hartford
pros
Lowest professional liability insurance rates
Extensive experience with over 200 years in the industry
Highest financial stability ratings
cons
Less affordable for workers' comp policies
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Backed by over 200 years of experience, The Hartford earned our second-best spot for cleaning business insurance. The company offers the most affordable professional liability policies with an average monthly rate of $49, which is particularly attractive for cleaners due to the high risk of claims for this coverage.
The Hartford also ranked second overall for customer experience, earning high ratings from over 10,000 customers across various industries and coverage types. Also, claims are extremely unlikely to go unpaid with an A+ from AM Best for financial stability, which is the best in our study.
3. Thimble
pros
Lowest rates for most coverage types
Good financial stability ratings
cons
Lowest customer service rating in our study
Online-only customer support with no phone representatives
Fewer coverage options than other insurers
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
While Thimble didn't receive the highest rating for customer service, it compensates with superior affordability for small businesses in the cleaning industry. The company offers the lowest rates overall for three of the four coverage types we studied, with the most disproportionately low rates for BOP insurance, where it ranks first for affordability and saves you $75 more per month than the next cheapest provider.
While the company receives high ratings on forums like Trustpilot, it has a major limitation: it doesn't offer phone customer support, and all communications occur online through the app or email.
Cheapest Business Insurance for Cleaning Firms
Based on our study of business insurance pricing, Thimble offers the cheapest overall cleaning firm insurance for most policy types, particularly for those seeking general liability insurance. However, this applies only to cleaning companies with two employees, and you may find lower rates elsewhere. Below are the most affordable providers by major coverage types.
Cheapest General Liability Insurance for Cleaning Companies
With an average monthly rate of $42, Thimble offers the lowest-cost general liability insurance for cleaning companies by a large margin. Even so, consider getting quotes from the next-most-affordable insurers: Simply Business and The Hartford.
| Thimble | $42 | $503 |
| Simply Business | $107 | $1,289 |
| The Hartford | $108 | $1,298 |
| NEXT | $109 | $1,304 |
| Nationwide | $123 | $1,477 |
| Coverdash | $135 | $1,616 |
| Progressive Commercial | $141 | $1,689 |
| Chubb | $160 | $1,922 |
| biBerk | $176 | $2,118 |
| Hiscox | $203 | $2,432 |
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance for Cleaning Companies
For cleaning businesses shopping for workers' comp insurance, Thimble tops our list as the most affordable insurer, with average rates of $21 per month or $250 yearly. However, you may find more affordable rates with Progressive, Hiscox, Simply Business and Coverdash.
| Thimble | $21 | $250 |
| Progressive Commercial | $22 | $270 |
| Hiscox | $23 | $279 |
| Simply Business | $23 | $279 |
| Coverdash | $24 | $286 |
| NEXT | $24 | $291 |
| The Hartford | $24 | $283 |
| biBerk | $25 | $294 |
| Nationwide | $26 | $314 |
| Chubb | $28 | $337 |
Cheapest Professional Liability Insurance for Cleaning Companies
The Hartford and NEXT offer the most affordable professional liability insurance options, with low average monthly rates of $49 and $51, respectively. Also, consider getting quotes from Progressive, Hiscox and Simply Business.
| The Hartford | $49 | $584 |
| NEXT | $51 | $613 |
| Progressive Commercial | $52 | $626 |
| Hiscox | $54 | $651 |
| Simply Business | $54 | $647 |
| Thimble | $54 | $645 |
| Coverdash | $55 | $661 |
| biBerk | $56 | $673 |
| Nationwide | $59 | $706 |
| Chubb | $64 | $763 |
Cheapest BOP Insurance for Cleaning Companies
For those seeking combined general liability and property insurance in a business owner's policy (BOP), Thimble offers the lowest average annual rate at $774. This is around $896 cheaper yearly than the next cheapest provider, The Hartford.
| Thimble | $64 | $774 |
| The Hartford | $139 | $1,670 |
| NEXT | $158 | $1,894 |
| Simply Business | $161 | $1,935 |
| Nationwide | $185 | $2,221 |
| Coverdash | $196 | $2,349 |
| Progressive Commercial | $212 | $2,540 |
| biBerk | $230 | $2,763 |
| Chubb | $240 | $2,876 |
| Hiscox | $303 | $3,637 |
What Type of Coverage Do You Need for a Cleaning Business?
By law, most businesses need workers' comp insurance if they have employees and commercial auto insurance for any business vehicles. However, depending on your client and the contracts you sign with them, you may be required to have some form of general liability insurance for your cleaning business. You'll also often be required by a client to have a surety bond, typically a janitorial bond, to provide your services.
RECOMMENDED CLEANING BUSINESS COVERAGE
Cleaning businesses need general liability insurance, even when not legally required. It covers common risks like slip-and-fall accidents, property damage and legal defense costs. Professional liability insurance is also recommended, although optional, as it protects against employee negligence claims related to contractual work. This coverage becomes especially important for specialized cleaning services (carpet, flooring) or businesses with large commercial contracts where risk is higher.
Coverage Recommendations by Cleaning Company Type
We've broken down risk considerations and coverage recommendations by cleaning company type, ordered from highest to lowest risk for claims frequency:
Cleaning Company Type | Coverage Types Recommendation | Most Common Insurance Claims | Most Common Reasons For Litigation |
|---|---|---|---|
Post-Construction/Debris Cleanup | Workers' Comp (high limits), General Liability, Commercial Auto, Tools & Equipment, Umbrella Policy ($2M+), Professional Liability | Severe back/lifting injuries, cuts from sharp debris, respiratory illness from dust/particles, property damage from heavy equipment | Workers suing for permanent disability from injuries, property owners suing for structural damage, regulatory fines for improper hazmat disposal |
Hazmat/Biohazard Cleaning | Workers' Comp (high limits), General Liability, Professional Liability, Environmental Liability, Commercial Auto, Umbrella Policy ($5M+) | Occupational illness from exposure, specialized equipment failures, regulatory violations, contamination incidents | Wrongful death suits from exposure, environmental contamination lawsuits, regulatory penalties, neighboring property contamination claims. |
Window Cleaning | Workers' Comp (high limits), General Liability, Commercial Auto, Tools & Equipment, Umbrella Policy ($3M+), Professional Liability | Falls from height (severe/fatal), equipment failure injuries, weather-related accidents | Wrongful death suits from falls, permanent disability claims, building damage from falling equipment, pedestrian injury from dropped items |
Industrial/Manufacturing Facility Cleaning | Workers' Comp, General Liability, Commercial Auto, Professional Liability, Environmental Liability, Umbrella Policy | Equipment-related injuries, chemical exposure, slip/falls on industrial surfaces, confined space accidents | Workplace injury suits, production line disruption claims, chemical exposure lawsuits, regulatory violation penalties |
Pressure Washing Services | General Liability, Workers' Comp, Commercial Auto, Tools & Equipment, Professional Liability | Property damage from improper pressure, equipment-related injuries, chemical exposure, vehicle accidents | Expensive property damage suits (siding, windows, vehicles), water damage to building interiors, chemical runoff environmental claims |
Carpet/Upholstery Cleaning | General Liability (high property damage limits), Professional Liability, Workers' Comp, Commercial Auto, Tools & Equipment | Damage to expensive carpets/fabrics, chemical stains, over-wetting damage, equipment malfunctions | Expensive carpet/furniture replacement lawsuits, mold damage from over-wetting, chemical damage to antiques/artwork |
Medical Facility Cleaning | Workers' Comp, General Liability, Professional Liability, Medical Malpractice (if applicable), Commercial Auto | Infectious disease exposure, cross-contamination incidents, slip/falls, regulatory compliance issues | Healthcare-associated infection lawsuits, HIPAA violation penalties, regulatory fines, patient safety incident claims |
Standard Commercial Janitorial | General Liability, Workers' Comp, Commercial Auto, Janitorial Bond, Professional Liability | Slip/falls on wet floors, back injuries from lifting, minor property damage, theft accusations | Customer/employee slip-and-fall lawsuits, theft allegations, property damage suits, contract breach claims |
Move-in/Move-out Cleaning | General Liability, Workers' Comp, Commercial Auto, Janitorial Bond, Professional Liability | Property damage in vacant properties, theft accusations, injuries in unfamiliar environments | Security deposit disputes, property damage claims, theft accusations, landlord/tenant mediation disputes |
Swimming Pool Maintenance | General Liability (high limits), Workers' Comp, Commercial Auto, Professional Liability, Tools & Equipment | Chemical exposure injuries, slip/falls on wet surfaces, equipment accidents, drowning liability | Drowning liability suits, chemical poisoning lawsuits, equipment failure causing pool damage, slip-and-fall around pool areas |
Office Building Cleaning | General Liability, Workers' Comp, Commercial Auto, Janitorial Bond | Minor slip/falls, small property damage, theft accusations, elevator accidents | Employee slip-and-fall suits, theft allegations, property damage claims, contract disputes over cleaning standards |
Retail Store Cleaning | General Liability, Workers' Comp, Commercial Auto, Janitorial Bond, Professional Liability | Merchandise damage, customer slip/falls during hours, theft accusations, equipment cord trips | Customer injury lawsuits during business hours, expensive merchandise damage suits, theft allegations, lost sales claims |
School/Educational Facility Cleaning | General Liability, Workers' Comp, Commercial Auto, Janitorial Bond, Professional Liability (optional) | Minor slip/falls, property damage, chemical exposure concerns, background check issues | Student/staff injury lawsuits, chemical exposure claims, background check liability, property damage suits |
Residential House Cleaning | General Liability, Workers' Comp, Commercial Auto, Janitorial Bond | Breaking personal property, theft accusations, minor slip/falls, pet-related incidents | Expensive personal property damage suits, theft allegations, invasion of privacy claims, pet injury lawsuits |
Vacation Rental/Airbnb Cleaning | General Liability, Workers' Comp (if employees), Commercial Auto, Janitorial Bond, Professional Liability (optional) | Property damage, theft accusations, supply shortages affecting bookings, minor injuries | Property damage affecting rental income, theft allegations, booking cancellation claims, guest injury lawsuits |
Light Commercial Cleaning (Small Offices) | General Liability, Workers' Comp, Commercial Auto, Janitorial Bond | Minor property damage, theft accusations, small slip/falls, equipment malfunctions | Property damage suits, theft allegations, employee injury claims, contract breach disputes |
How to Get the Best Cheap Business Insurance for Your Cleaning Company
Here's a step-by-step method for finding the best and cheapest business insurance for your cleaning company.
- 1
Decide on coverage needs before buying
Consider risks specific to your business for claims, get advice from similar businesses, talk to agents and research the types of business insurance. This will give you a balanced perspective on your coverage needs and prevent you from being convinced to get excessive coverage.
- 2
Research costs
To ensure you get the best deal, research average costs for your business profile and determine which providers offer the cheapest rates overall. This will give you a measuring stick for how much you're saving when comparing quotes and which companies to start with.
- 3
Look into company reputations and coverage options
To further narrow your list, research what customers say on online rating sites and forums to get a more comprehensive look at company services. Also, to align with your coverage needs and future ones, research coverage options to ensure you're covered for the right items.
- 4
Compare multiple quotes through different means
The tried-and-true method for finding the best deal is to compare multiple quotes for apples-to-apples coverage. Pricing differs by your comparison method, whether with captive agents, comparison sites, company websites or independent agents.
- 5
Reassess annually
Your business situation will change, influencing your rates and coverage needs. Repeat these steps annually to ensure you still have the best deal.
How to Decrease Your Cleaning Business's Liability Risk
To help you avoid claims and keep insurance rates low as your business grows, we've outlined risk mitigation strategies organized by cleaning business risk level:
Cleaning Business Risk Type | Included Types of Cleaning Businesses | Risk Mitigation Tactics |
|---|---|---|
Highest | Post-construction/debris cleanup, hazmat/biohazard cleaning, high-rise window cleaning, industrial/manufacturing facility cleaning |
|
Moderately high | Pressure washing services, carpet/upholstery cleaning, medical facility cleaning |
|
Moderate | Standard commercial janitorial, move-in/move-out cleaning, swimming pool maintenance |
|
Moderately low | Office building cleaning, retail store cleaning, school/educational facility cleaning |
|
Lowest | Residential house cleaning, vacation rental/Airbnb cleaning, light commercial cleaning (small offices) |
|
Best Insurance for Cleaning Business: Bottom Line
NEXT is the best insurer for cleaning business insurance, while Thimble offers the cheapest option overall. We also recommend getting quotes from The Hartford, Simply Business and Nationwide. For the best deal, consult agents and similar businesses, research costs and companies, and compare multiple quotes.
Cleaning Business Insurance: FAQ
We answer frequently asked questions about cleaning business insurance:
Who offers the best cleaning business insurance overall?
NEXT offers the best overall business insurance for cleaning firms, with a MoneyGeek score of 92 out of 100 and the top customer service rating among all providers. The Hartford is a close second, with more affordable average rates than NEXT for most coverage types.
Who has the cheapest business insurance for cleaning firms?
Here are the cheapest business insurance companies for cleaners by coverage type:
- Cheapest general liability insurance: Thimble at $42 monthly
- Cheapest workers' comp insurance: Thimble at $21 monthly
- Cheapest professional liability insurance: The Hartford at $49 monthly
- Cheapest BOP insurance: Thimble at $64 monthly
What business insurance is required for cleaning organizations?
Workers' compensation insurance (if you have employees) and commercial auto insurance (if you own business vehicles) are legally required for cleaning businesses, with requirements varying by state. While not legally mandated, general liability insurance and janitorial bonds are effectively required by most commercial clients and property leases.
How much does cleaning business insurance cost?
Business insurance costs for cleaning businesses vary widely depending on the coverage type you want Below we've broken down costs for commonly needed coverage of small businesses:
- General Liability: $130/mo
- Workers Comp: $24/mo
- Professional Liability: $55/mo
- BOP Insurance: $189/mo
How We Chose the Best Cleaning Business Insurance
We selected the best business insurer for cleaning companies based on the following criteria:
- Affordability (50% of score): The lower a company's costs compared to the competition based on our base profile for four core coverage types, the better it performs.
- Customer service (30% of score): We scored providers on overall customer satisfaction using industry studies, customer review forum ratings and public forum sentiment analysis from sites like Reddit.
- Coverage (15% of score): We scored business insurance for this category based on the flexibility, payment and actual coverage options.
- Financial stability (5% of score): Using financial stability industry ratings from companies like AM Best and Moody's, we created an overall rating to judge how likely a company is to pay out claims compared to the competition.
All pricing in this article is based on the following base profile to represent the vast majority of small businesses in all states:
- Three-person business with two employees
- Coverage: $1 million per occurrence and $2 million total per year for all but BOP, which includes the same coverage plus $5,000 of business property coverage
- $150,000 in payroll
- $300,000 annual revenue
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
sources
- AM Best. "Hartford Fire Insurance Company." Accessed June 16, 2025.
- NEXT. "Customer Reviews." Accessed June 16, 2025.
- Trustpilot. "Thimble." Accessed June 16, 2025.