Best General Liability Insurance Providers for Cleaning Businesses

General liability insurance pays for property damage and bodily injury claims of third parties who use or are around your business. As a cleaning business, having a good general liability insurance policy can help attract more clients who see you as a professional business, dotting your t’s and crossing your i’s. Here are the best general liability insurance companies for your cleaning business. 

Top General Liability Insurance Providers for Cleaning Businesses

Best Overall: NEXT Insurance

Best Underwriting: The Hartford

Best for Micro Businesses: Thimble

Best Brokerage: Simply Business

Best Overall: NEXT Insurance

Why we chose it: NEXT Insurance deserves our top spot for its competitive pricing and expertise in the small-business niche. 

NEXT Insurance is a perfect company to get your general liability insurance from, with policies that are designed to fit the needs of a small business owner. It takes about 10 minutes to get a quote, and you can bind it right online to get immediate coverage. In addition to general liability insurance, this insurance company also offers workers’ compensation, tools & equipment coverage, contractors’ E&O, and more. Take advantage of their business model that allows them to offer some of the most competitive prices you’ll find. 

Best Underwriting: The Hartford

Why we chose it: The Hartford understands the risks of a cleaning business and tailors their policies to meet those demands. 

The Hartford is a small business insurance expert that was founded in 1810. It tailors its underwriting and policy coverage to tailor the plans of a cleaning business. On top of general liability insurance, The Hartford offers workers’ compensation, professional liability, and tools and equipment coverage. Small business owners can take advantage of the experience of The Hartford to help properly insure their business and get the right coverage in place. 

Best for Micro Businesses: Thimble

Why we chose it: Thimble’s business model allows small cleaning companies to get coverage on demand at a price that fits their budget, making it perfect for micro-sized businesses. 

Thimble is a newer insuretech carrier that has revolutionized how small and micro service providers get their insurance. They offer on-demand policies that are good for the duration of the job and don’t require you to pay while you aren’t working. By breaking down insurance coverage down to the hour, Thimble allows companies to work within tight budgets while still getting the coverage that they need and want.  

Best Online Brokerage: Simply Business

Why we chose it: Simply Business does the online shopping for you by comparing top-rated insurance companies and helping you find the best policy for your company and budget. 

Simply Business takes one online form and shops the policy among top insurance carriers to get the best policy for your cleaning business. It offers a wide range of products, including general liability and workers’ compensation. Small business owners need to remember that as a brokerage, the company doesn’t underwrite or service its policies. This is the responsibility of the underlying insurance company. 

Understanding General Liability Insurance for Cleaning Businesses

A cleaning business needs general liability insurance to protect itself from unexpected claims of third-party losses and injuries. A cleaner might accidentally damage expensive artwork, leaving the client with a significant loss. Without insurance, the small business owners must pay for the damages out of their revenues and savings. With insurance, the insurance company takes the lead in the claim, defends the small business if necessary, and pays the claim. 

Criteria for Evaluating Insurance Providers

Policy Ape goes through an extensive review process to rank and rate insurance companies. Our process is looking at: 

• Coverage options and flexibility: Insurance companies should give consumers options for coverage and provide different policies to meet different needs. Consumers should be able to customize policies to fit their unique situations. 

• Pricing and value for money: We look for companies that offer competitive pricing for the policy in question and offer discounts when possible. 

• Reputation and financial stability: We look for companies with high AM Best ratings and that have a reputation for underwriting small business policies in a straightforward fashion. 

• Customer service and support: Companies that have a reputation for quality customer support fare better than those that don’t.

• Claims process and efficiency: Claims should be straightforward, and when possible, monitored by an app that allows business owners to follow the claim throughout the process.  

Comparing Insurance Providers

It is important to compare insurance providers and the policies they issue to ensure you are getting the coverage you need for a price that is fair:

• Coverage comparison: Review the policy terms and ensure that you are getting the most coverage you can get for the price you are paying. 

• Premium and cost comparison: Shop around to ensure you are getting the maximum coverage for the best price possible. 

• Customer service and claims processing: Read reviews to see how the company handles inquiries and claims. 

• Additional benefits and features: Make note of any additional benefits you get from any one insurance company to see if the policy is worth the premium. 

Tips for Securing the Best Insurance for Your Cleaning Business

Here are some tips for securing the best insurance for your cleaning business: 

• Assess your business needs: Determine if you need an annual policy or just a by-the-hour policy that covers you on the job. Also, determine how much coverage you need to be properly protected. 
• Understanding insurance policy terms: Read through the policy and know what is covered and what isn’t. You may need more than just general liability insurance for proper coverage.
• Seeking professional advice: Talk to an agent to ensure you have a policy that meets your needs and covers the risks associated with your business.