Housekeeping Insurance Cost & Coverage Guide for 2026
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Housekeeping Insurance
From family homes to luxury vacation rentals, your housekeeping business is built on a million small details. But it takes only one spilled bottle of bleach or a single trip over a mop bucket to wash away a month’s worth of profit. Housekeeping insurance acts as your safety net, so you can focus on that signature sparkle without a single mishap scrubbing out everything you’ve built.
This guide will break down the typical insurance coverages for housekeepers, what they typically cost, and how you can get the protection you need for your business. We’ve got you covered.
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What is Housekeeping Insurance?
Housekeeping insurance is a suite of policies designed to help protect your business from the financial fallout of customer or employee injuries, property damage, theft, and business interruption. Without the right coverage, you could be on the hook for equipment repairs, legal fees, or medical bills.
How Much Does Housekeeping Insurance Cost?
Here’s a look at the median costs1 for the most common policies housekeepers purchase.
Average Costs1
| Insurance Policy | Median Monthly Cost | Median Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| General liability | $29 | $348 |
| Professional liability | $48 | $576 |
| Contractor’s Equipment and Small Tools | $27 | $324 |
| Workers’ Compensation | $103 | $1,236 |
1Data from Simply Business customers specializing as “housekeepers” who purchased at least one or a combination of general liability, BOP, contractor’s equipment and small tools, and workers’ compensation policies from July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. The median costs shown are for illustrative purposes only; actual premiums vary by state, coverage limits, and individual business risk.
Housekeeping business insurance rates vary, and your final premium will depend on factors such as your location, number of employees, the type of housekeeping business you own, and your claims history.
What Insurance Does a Housekeeper Need?
General Liability
If you interact with clients in any way, we typically recommend having a general liability insurance policy. This foundational insurance coverage can help you handle costs from third-party accidents, property damage, legal expenses, and bodily injury.
Why You Need It:
While dusting, you accidentally knock over and shatter an expensive, one-of-a-kind ceramic vase. A general liability policy could help cover the cost of repair or replacement and protect you from other third-party damage claims.
Median Cost
$29
/month*
Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)
A Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) bundles three key coverages — general liability, commercial property, and business interruption insurance — into one convenient package. It’s designed to help protect your business from a range of common risks without the hassle and expense of managing multiple policies.
Why You Need It:
A fire at your office destroys your specialized cleaning equipment and client scheduling records, making it impossible to fulfill your upcoming appointments. A BOP can help cover the loss and the income you miss while you get back up and running. Many owners choose a BOP because it offers more protection than a stand-alone general liability policy, without costing much more.
Median Cost
$48
/month*
Contractor’s Equipment and Small Tools
Also known as inland marine insurance, this coverage can financially help protect tools and equipment, and depending on the policy, even if it’s in transport or stored off-site.
Why You Need It:
When pulling into your office before your first appointment of the day, you find that your company van was broken into and your high-end floor buffer and steam cleaners were stolen from your van overnight. Contractor’s equipment and small tools insurance, also known as inland marine insurance, can help pay to replace or repair your stolen or damaged equipment, whether it’s on the move or at a jobsite.
Median Cost
$27
/month‡
Workers’ Compensation
If you have employees — even just one helper — most states require you to carry workers’ compensation. This policy covers medical bills and lost wages for employees who get injured or become ill on the job.
Why You Need It:
A team member slips on a freshly mopped hardwood floor and suffers a back injury that requires physical therapy. Workers’ compensation can help cover their medical bills and provide wage replacement as your crew member recovers.
Median Cost
$103
/month*
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If a client trips over my mop bucket or slips on the floor that I just waxed and breaks their hip, which policy pays for their ambulance and medical bills?
Housekeepers carry general liability insurance for scenarios like this. General liability insurance typically covers third-party medical expenses arising from your cleaning services and can help pay for your client’s ambulance fees, medical treatment, and your legal defense if they decide to sue you.
A client is accusing me of scratching their high-end stainless steel appliances during a deep clean. Is this covered by my general liability, or do I need another type of coverage?
Scratches or physical damage to a client’s property are typically handled by general liability insurance, whereas business interruption coverage usually covers financial losses due to professional errors, such as a missed move-out clean that costs a client their security deposit.
If I leave a faucet running and cause a major flood in a client’s apartment building, does my policy cover the damage to the units below them too?
Generally yes. Your general liability policy will typically cover damage to the client’s property and any neighboring property that was damaged as a result of your business operations.
My $1,500 floor scrubber was stolen from my trailer while I was parked at a jobsite. Is this covered by my general liability insurance?
No, standard liability insurance, also known as general liability, only covers third-party damage. To protect your own equipment while it’s on the move or at a client’s home, you typically need contractor’s equipment and small tools insurance, also known as inland marine insurance.
If I hire an employee or a part-time helper to assist with a large move-out clean and they hurt their back, am I liable for their lost wages?
In many cases, yes. If an employee or part-time helper is working under your direction, you may be responsible for their injury. Workers’ compensation insurance is designed to help cover those medical costs and lost wages, and in most states it’s legally required even for part-time help.
What are the main factors affecting my housekeeping insurance cost?
As with most types of insurance, your cleaning business insurance rates will depend on a number of factors, such as:
- Your business location
- Your type of business: high-end vs. standard residences
- The services you provide
- The number of employees you have
- Your estimated revenue, payroll, and sales
- And more
Does my insurance premium increase if I transition from cleaning standard family homes to cleaning “luxury” estates or high-value vacation rentals?
It may. Luxury estates often contain higher-value items such as fine art or custom finishes, which increase the potential cost of a claim. If a mistake happens in a high-value home, the repair or replacement costs are typically much higher than in a standard residence.
How can I lower my cleaning business insurance rates without losing coverage?
A few ways to keep strong protection while trimming costs include:
- Bundle smartly: A BOP can be more cost-effective than buying general liability and property insurance separately.
- Right-size your limits: Make sure your limits match your real exposure and budget.
- Reduce preventable claims: Slip-and-fall prevention, staff training, and good maintenance can pay off over time.
- Keep your info current: Accurate payroll, sales, and equipment values help avoid over paying.
- Compare options: We provide customized coverage recommendations and housekeeping insurance quotes from top-rated small business insurers so you can see them side by side.
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Owner of Tangaza Bath & Body Studio LLC
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Owner of Bunker83 LLC
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Owner of Room to Breathe Professional Organizing
Why Housekeepers Choose Simply Business
Small business insurance is what we do. Whether it’s covering you for accidents and errors, meeting workers’ comp requirements, or protecting your shop and your tools and equipment, we can help find the coverage you need for your housekeeping business.
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*The displayed price for each product is a monthly estimate calculated from the 10th percentile of relevant policies sold by Simply Business (e.g., General Liability data is used for General Liability estimates). This estimate uses data from relevant policy sales between July–December 2025. Final price and payment terms, which may include an initial down payment, are subject to change based on your state, selected insurance provider, and specific business details.
‡ Displayed price is based on the lowest available coverage limit for Equipment and Small Tools policies.