If you own a janitorial or cleaning service or work as an independent cleaning contractor, then you should have cleaning business insurance coverage. You are likely familiar with some of the risks in your work. For instance, if you're mopping a floor and someone trips and falls, you may be liable for a lawsuit and have to cover medical expenses. Likewise, if you use a cleaning agent and damage the surface, you could be held legally responsible for property damage if there's a bad reaction. A single accident like this can cause significant damage to any company, especially a small business.

It's essential to protect yourself, your company and any staff you employ. Otherwise, you may need to pay out of pocket for costs that you weren't expecting. In this event, your cleaning business could fall into the red, and you may need help figuring out how to pay.

The cleaning business insurance package that would work best for your company depends on several factors. The size of the cleaning business, the value of equipment used, whether or not a vehicle is used, and the chemicals used are just some factors in determining the level of coverage recommended for each business.

It depends. Sometimes, they are, and sometimes, they need an additional option like tools and equipment insurance. Please speak to your Morison Insurance Broker to find out more or when you begin a cleaning business insurance quote. 

Yes. Even if you operate your business from home, you still need cleaning business insurance to protect against claims that could happen while you work—as most of your clients operate in commercial or residential buildings.

It is understandable to want to save some money on your insurance bill. Luckily, plenty of options are available to save money on insurance for your cleaning business. This includes the following:

• Increase your deductible
• Take extra steps to increase workplace safety
• Avoid making claims on small losses
• Keep records and ensure paperwork shows that you are taking steps to decrease risk

When applying for cleaning business insurance, you can get a head start by ensuring your paperwork is in order beforehand. One way to get ahead is by knowing what questions your insurance broker may ask while establishing the best coverage for you—based on your company's unique needs. For instance, some of these questions may include:

• Do you subcontract work? If so, what percent of your overall operations are subcontracted out?
• Do you have contracts in place with your sub-contractors?
• Do you request proof of contractor insurance from your sub-contractors?
• Do you have insurance now?
• Have you been cancelled/declined/non-renewed in the past five years?
• Have you had any claims in the past five years?
• What are your gross annual revenues?
• Do you do any work in industrial, manufacturing or airport sites?
• Is this your full-time or part-time job?
• Do you have safety procedures in place to prevent accidents?
• Do you perform interior work only?
• Do you offer any repair work?
• Do you offer any remediation work, such as asbestos or mould removal?
• Do you have written contracts in place with your customers outlining your responsibilities?
• The specific types of cleaning services your business offers

Please note that this is not a complete list. If there are other issues, your Morison Insurance broker will kindly let you know.

At Morison Insurance, we understand that cleaning businesses operate in high-traffic, high-value environments where small incidents can lead to significant claims. The right insurance coverage helps: 

• Protects your business from slip‑and‑fall and property damage claims. 
• Required by many commercial, medical, government, and property‑management clients. 
• Covers lost keys, damaged surfaces, broken items, and cleaning equipment. 
• Helps you qualify for larger contracts and subcontracted opportunities. 
• Demonstrates professionalism and reliability when bidding on new work. 
• Provides peace of mind when cleaning high‑value, sensitive, or after‑hours spaces. 

• Independent broker with multiple carrier options: We shop across several insurance companies that offer packages tailored to cleaning businesses, giving you more choice and better value. 
• Experience with janitorial, custodial & cleaning operations: Our brokers understand the unique risks of cleaning work, from handling keys to meeting strict facility requirements, and can recommend the right protection. 
• Clear guidance on limits, exclusions & contract needs: We help you understand what your policy covers, what it doesn’t, and what clients typically expect so you can take on contracts with confidence. 

Janitorial insurance provides broad protection, but there are important exclusions you should know before purchasing a policy. Here are a few common insurance exclusions: 

• Intentional or criminal acts 
• Wear and tear or improper chemical use 
• Undisclosed services (e.g., mould, asbestos, remediation) 
• Damage outside the scope of contracted cleaning services 
• Workers’ Compensation: Provided through WSIB, not private insurers