You keep floors spotless, but what about your business’s safety? One accident — a spilled chemical, a customer slip, a damaged vintage rug — can cost thousands. The right insurance keeps your business running strong and your reputation squeaky clean.
Let’s break down what carpet cleaning insurance covers, what it doesn’t, and how to choose the best coverage for your business.
TL;DR – The Key Coverage You Need for Your Carpet Cleaning Business:
✅ General Liability if you work in clients’ homes or businesses and could be blamed for property damage or injuries
✅ Workers Compensation if you have employees who could get hurt on the job
✅ Equipment Coverage if your business relies on expensive machines, tools, or supplies to get the job done
✅ Commercial Auto if you drive a company vehicle to transport your gear and team
Get covered today so you can focus on keeping floors spotless — and your business protected.
What Does Insurance for a Carpet Cleaning Business Cover?
Cleaning carpets inside someone else’s home or property is risky business. Carpet cleaning business insurance protects you from paying out of pocket for common accidents connected to your operations. It includes several types of coverage with the option to tailor your policy based on what your business actually needs.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s covered:
| Coverage Type | What It Covers | Why You Need It |
|---|---|---|
|
Third-party (aka, other people) damages, like property damage, bodily injury, slander, libel, and copyright infringement
|
Protects you and your clients from costly risks while satisfying most contracts |
|
|
Tools and Equipment (also known as Inland Marine) (add-on) |
Reimbursement of stolen or damaged tools and machines |
Stay in business and avoid canceling jobs by safeguarding the real source of your income |
|
Workers Compensation (add-on) |
Medical bills, lost wages, and recovery costs for injured employees |
Take care of your employees when they’re hurt and avoid legal fines |
|
Commercial Auto (add-on) |
The cost of accidents that occur while driving the company vehicle
|
Avoid paying thousands in legal defense costs, medical bills, and vehicle repairs |
|
Cyber Liability Coverage (add-on) |
Data recovery costs and legal fees if your business gets hacked |
Protect the digital side of your business from attacks that can destroy trust and shut down your operations |
|
Janitorial Bonds (add-on) |
Losses that happen if an employee steals from a client
|
Prevent lawsuits, maintain client trust, and avoid damaging your reputation |
Check out our Carpet Cleaning Insurance Guide for more information.
The Real Reason You Need Insurance: Are You Protected?
While a Certificate of Insurance (COI) helps you qualify for cleaning contracts, it also gives you credibility, financial security, and peace of mind. This can help you:
- Secure jobs
- Build trust
- Protect equipment
- Hire employees
You’ve put more than just elbow grease into building your business. Insurance Canopy helps protect all your hard work by providing the coverage you need with easy-to-manage policies, a 100% online claims process, and 5-star rated customer service.
Not sure if you have the right coverage? Contact us to speak with a licensed, non-commissioned insurance agent who can review your business needs and help you get the right protection.
Real Life Risks: How Carpet Cleaning Insurance Saved the Job
Carpet cleaning liability insurance prevents a small mistake from turning into a major financial disaster, much like how you pre-treat a stain to keep it from setting. See how your coverage comes to the rescue with these real-world examples:
| Scenario | How Insurance Helps |
|---|---|
|
Your bottle of spot remover spills and seeps into the hardwood under a rug, damaging it |
General liability insurance covers the repair costs so you avoid a lawsuit |
|
You just finished the job when a client slips in the damp entryway and twists their ankle |
General liability insurance pays for medical bills, legal defense, and settlement costs |
|
One of your technicians hurts their back carrying a heavy carpet cleaning machine upstairs |
Workers compensation insurance covers the medical treatment costs and lost wages |
|
Your portable carpet extractor tips over while wheeling it up a ramp, damaging the machine’s pump on impact |
Tools and equipment coverage pays for the repair costs so you can get the extractor back in service |
|
While driving to a job in the company van, you accidentally rear-end another vehicle and injure the driver |
Commercial auto insurance covers the other driver’s medical bills, car repairs, and damage to your own van |
When your job is full of surprises, are you covered if something goes wrong? Get a tailored policy today so your business is ready for anything.
Is Your Business Covered?
Whether you’re scrubbing printer ink out of an office carpet or deep cleaning a vintage rug, here’s how cleaning business insurance protects your work:
👤 Solo Carpet Cleaner
When you handle client consults, inventory, and cleaning all on your own, insurance keeps one bad accident from sinking your entire business
👥 Small Team Operation
Insurance protects you, your team, and your customers, giving you the freedom to scale with confidence
🎯 Specialty Services
The right coverage turns the risk of working with delicate, high-value items into a chance to showcase your expertise without fear
🚐 Mobile Cleaning Business
With vans, equipment, and busy traffic, insurance protects you from high risks on the road, making every drive an opportunity
What is Not Covered by Carpet Cleaning Insurance?
Just like your favorite enzymatic cleaner, your insurance is a powerful tool you can rely on to handle the biggest messes. However, there are a few things your policy won’t cover, such as:
- Intentional property damage
- Equipment wear and tear
- Unexplained disappearances of tools
- Using your personal vehicle for business (you need commercial auto insurance)
- Jobsites that are open 24 hours/day
- Mass housing or transportation facilities (airports, hotels, dorms, healthcare housing)
- Industrial cleaning equipment or chemicals
- Undocumented employees
How Much Does Insurance Cost for a Carpet Cleaning Business?
If you need a general liability policy with instant proof of insurance, our plans start at $39 per month for up to $1 million a year in coverage. That makes the cost of carpet cleaning insurance less than a gallon of top-grade odor eliminator.
Keep your carpet extractor and cleaning wands safe, too, by adding tools and equipment coverage that starts at $3.33 per month. From there, you can upgrade your policy to cover your employees and company vehicles.
The final cost of your premium also depends on a few factors, like:
- Your state
- Your services
- Your coverage limits
- Whether you work alone or have employees
- Optional add-ons like commercial auto or equipment coverage
Let us do the heavy lifting and save up to 12% on an annual policy with auto-renewal — it’s almost as easy as getting your regular shipment of shoe covers and gloves.
Is Carpet Cleaning Insurance Worth It?
Yes, carpet cleaning insurance for your business is worth it. Without coverage, you’re left vulnerable to risks that could impact your business and personal finances. Plus, most property managers, real estate agents, and building owners require proof of insurance before they’ll hire you.
Buying insurance is more than worrying about the “what ifs.” What really makes getting a comprehensive policy worth the cost is when your insurance absorbs the financial blow of a claim so you can stay in business.
How to Get Quick Insurance for Your Carpet Cleaning Business
Getting insurance is faster and easier than applying a stain guard. With a few clicks, you can fill out a form, get an instant quote, and have proof of coverage all before your next job. Here’s how to get started:
- Answer a few questions about your business
- Choose the coverage you need
- Get a quote and instant proof of insurance
FAQs About What Carpet Cleaning Business Insurance Covers
Do I Need Separate Insurance to Clean Upholstery?
Cleaning liability insurance covers carpet and upholstery, so you don’t need a separate insurance policy to clean upholstered furniture.
Does Insurance Cover Water Damage During Cleaning?
Yes, carpet cleaning insurance coverage includes water damage caused by your services. For example, if water soaks through a client’s carpet and into the subfloor, your insurance can pay the cost to repair or replace it.
If I Hire Part-Time Staff, Are They Covered?
Yes, if you hire part-time staff for your cleaning business, your general liability policy covers you and your employees if they damage a client’s property or cause injury.
You’ll also need workers compensation insurance to cover any work-related injuries or illnesses that impact your employees, regardless of their part-time or full-time status.
