Is general liability required for cleaners?

It's required by most property managers, facility managers, and commercial clients. Some states require it for licensed contractors. Even where it's not legally required, it's essential protection — one claim can easily cost more than years of premiums.

What's the difference between general liability and a janitorial bond?

GL covers third-party bodily injury and property damage claims. A janitorial bond is a surety bond that protects your client if an employee steals or a job isn't completed. Many commercial and government contracts require both.

Does GL cover me if I hire someone to help on a job?

If the helper is truly an independent subcontractor with their own insurance, your GL may not need to cover them. If they're working under your direction and using your equipment, they may need to be on your policy. We'll help you structure coverage correctly.

How fast can I get a GL certificate for a job starting tomorrow?

Same-day coverage is typically available. Fill out the form today and our agents work fast. Once you bind, your COI is issued instantly.

Can I get GL coverage if I've had claims before?

Prior claims can affect your rate and in some cases carrier eligibility, but coverage is often still available. Tell us about any prior claims on the quote form and we'll find the best option for your situation.

General Liability Insurance for Cleaners

Why Cleaners Get Sued for Things That Show Up Hours Later

Most trades get claimed against for damage that's obvious the moment it happens — a dropped tool, a cracked tile. Cleaning is different: a lot of your real exposure is delayed. A chemical reacts with a sealant and the discoloration doesn't show for a day. A floor is left slightly too wet and someone slips after you've already left the building. General liability is the coverage built specifically to catch that gap between when you did the work and when the problem surfaces.

Where GL Actually Responds

The Slip That Happens After You Leave

A freshly mopped floor, a wet entryway, a spill you cleaned but the residue is still slick — if someone's hurt in connection with your work, even after your crew has moved to the next room or the next building, GL covers the resulting medical and legal costs.

The Damage the Product Caused

Wrong chemical on the wrong surface, or the right chemical left too long — carpet discoloration, stripped floor finish, damaged electronics from a spray that drifted further than intended. This is the single most common GL claim category in cleaning specifically.

The Claim That Shows Up Days Later

This is completed operations coverage, built into your GL policy. A client doesn't notice the streaking or the reaction until well after you've left — sometimes days. Without completed operations coverage, "we already finished the job" would otherwise be a gap in your protection. With it, you're covered.

What GL Won't Touch

Just as important as what it covers:

An employee accused of taking something from the property — that's employee dishonesty coverage or a janitorial bond, a separate policy entirely
Your own crew getting hurt on the job — that's workers compensation
The van hauling your supplies — that's commercial auto
Redoing work that simply wasn't done well — GL pays for resulting damage, not a refund on the job itself

Reading Your Limits

Two numbers matter: per-occurrence (the ceiling on any single claim) and aggregate (the ceiling across the whole policy year). $1M/$2M covers most residential and small commercial work. Larger commercial and government contracts commonly push that to $2M/$4M — worth confirming before you bid, not after you've won the contract.

Getting Your GL Quote Moving

Two minutes on the form is enough for our agents to start shopping your GL across carriers — most cleaners see a quote back the same business day, and the certificate is ready to send the moment you bind.