Cleaning business insurance for spotless protection

As soon as your cleaning business starts working in clients' homes, offices, or commercial premises. Cleaning work carries a higher-than-average risk of property damage and slips and trips, and even the most careful cleaner can have an accident. Cover should be in place before you take on your first client.

No — it isn't a legal requirement in the UK. However, many commercial clients and facilities managers will require proof of cover before allowing you on their premises. It's also worth considering that a single significant claim — such as flooding caused by a cleaning incident — could put your business at serious financial risk without insurance.

It covers compensation claims and legal fees if a member of the public is injured or their property is damaged as a result of your cleaning activities. Common examples include a client or visitor slipping on a wet floor left during cleaning, accidental damage to a client's furniture, fixtures, or valuables while cleaning, or water damage caused by leaving a tap running or a drain blocked. It covers both the compensation payment and your legal costs, even if a claim turns out to be unfounded.

Public liability insurance covers claims from members of the public — it doesn't cover claims from your own employees (that's employers' liability), theft by you or your staff (you may need a separate fidelity cover for that), or damage to your own cleaning equipment. Always check your policy wording carefully to understand exactly what's included.

Yes — if you accidentally damage a client's property while carrying out cleaning work — for example, breaking an item, scratching a surface, or causing water damage — public liability insurance covers the resulting claim. Accidental property damage is one of the most common types of claim for cleaning businesses, making it one of the most important reasons to have cover in place.

Yes — even if you only clean private homes rather than commercial premises, you're still liable for any injury or damage caused by your work. Many domestic clients now ask for proof of insurance before allowing a cleaner into their home. A public liability policy gives both you and your clients peace of mind.

Standard cover starts at £1 million, which is sufficient for most small cleaning businesses. Commercial clients, facilities managers, and larger contracts will often require £2 million or £5 million. Our team can help you identify the right level for the clients and contracts you work with.

Yes — business insurance is an allowable expense, which means you can deduct the cost when calculating your taxable profit. Make sure you keep your policy documents and receipts as records for HMRC. If you're unsure, speak to your accountant.

Yes — you'll receive proof of cover instantly when your policy is in place, which you can share with clients straight away. If you also take out employers' liability cover, a Certificate of Employers' Liability will be issued immediately for display at your premises.

We've been arranging insurance for over 50 years — now trading as insurd — and we're authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Register Number: 308508), and over a thousand real customers have shared their experiences with us on Trustpilot.

You can verify our status directly on the FCA register.