- Why do cleaning businesses need BOP insurance coverage?
- What's covered by BOP insurance
- How much is BOP insurance for cleaning businesses?
- Additional coverages tailored for cleaning businesses
- Factors that influence BOP costs for cleaning businesses
- Benefits of a BOP for cleaning businesses
- How to get the right BOP for your cleaning business
- Cleaning business owner’s policy exclusions
- What our expert says
- FAQ
Why do cleaning businesses need BOP insurance coverage?
Many cleaning businesses need BOP insurance because it covers the financial and legal risks of potential liabilities as well as the cost of repairing a business location damaged in a fire, windstorm or other covered event in one convenient insurance package.
For example, if one of your employees accidentally damages a customer’s rug while vacuuming, the general liability portion of a BOP would cover the cost of replacing it.
Additionally, a BOP covers damage to offices, cleaning tools, chemicals, computers and other business equipment caused by a covered peril, like a fire, windstorm or break-in. Your BOP will cover the cost of repairing the office and replacing lost business property.
Some examples of cleaning businesses that can benefit from a BOP include:
- House cleaners
- Window cleanersCarpet cleaners
- Pool cleaners
- Janitorial businesses
- Pressure washers
What's covered by BOP insurance
BOP insurance for cleaning businesses includes general liability insurance and commercial property insurance. Here is what’s covered under this type of policy:
- Third-party bodily injury and property damage: A BOP covers third-party claims for bodily injury and property damage. It will pay for another person’s medical expenses or property damage repairs and it covers your business’s legal fees if you get sued.
- Advertising injuries: BOPs cover claims against your business related to advertising injury, which include things like libel, slander and copyright infringement lawsuits. It covers settlements and your legal defense.
- Damage to business property: The commercial property portion of a BOP covers damage to physical business locations and business property due to events like fires, theft, vandalism and accidental water damage. It covers items that are stored at your office, like vacuums, mops and desks.
- Lost business income: If your BOP policy includes business interruption insurance and your business is forced to shut down temporarily after a covered claim, a BOP will cover lost income so you can pay your rent, utility bills, loan payments and other necessary expenses.
How much is BOP insurance for cleaning businesses?
The average cost of BOP insurance for cleaning businesses is $907 per year, or about $76 per month, according to Insureon. However, rates depend on numerous factors, including your location, insurance company and business size.
It’s usually cheaper to purchase a BOP than to buy general liability insurance and commercial property insurance separately. Insureon lists the average price of general liability insurance at $735 a year and commercial property at $800 a year.
Additional coverages tailored for cleaning businesses
While many cleaning businesses can benefit from a BOP, there are other types of insurance that they may need, including:
- Workers’ compensation: Workers’ compensation covers an employee’s medical bills and lost wages if they get sick or injured at work. This policy is required for most businesses with at least one employee.
- Commercial auto insurance: Commercial auto insurance provides liability coverage for business-owned or leased vehicles that you drive to a client’s home. It’s legally required in nearly every state.
- Commercial umbrella insurance: Commercial umbrella insurance extends the coverage limits you have on other liability policies, like general liability and commercial auto insurance.
- A janitorial bond: If one of your employees steals from a client’s home, causes intentional damage or does something else dishonest, a janitorial bond will reimburse the client for their losses.
Factors that influence BOP costs for cleaning businesses
BOP insurance premiums are different for every cleaning business. Some of the factors that can affect the cost of your insurance coverage include:
- Location
- Type of cleaning business
- Business property value
- Claim history
- Coverage limits
- Deductibles
- Number of employees
Benefits of a BOP for cleaning businesses
These are some of the biggest benefits of a BOP for cleaning businesses:
- Provides comprehensive coverage: A BOP combines general liability and commercial property insurance, two of the most important policies for cleaning businesses. When you purchase a BOP, you get both coverages at a cheaper rate.
- Covers potential third-party lawsuits: BOP insurance protects your business against the financial and legal consequences of third-party bodily injury and property damage claims. Without insurance, these types of claims could have major financial consequences for your business.
- Pays for property damage repairs: If your business location or business property gets damaged in a covered claim, a BOP will cover the cost of repairing the office and replacing the items.
How to get the right BOP for your cleaning business
When shopping for BOP insurance for your cleaning business, experts recommend you do the following
- Find out what’s covered: When comparing BOPs, find out what coverages are included and what policy limits are available. If you aren’t sure how much coverage you need, an agent can provide a recommendation based on your business size, revenue and unique risks.
- Check out each company before purchase: It’s a good idea to read customer reviews to better understand an insurer’s strengths and weaknesses. Pay attention to reviews on claims handling, customer service and policy renewals.
- Ask about discounts: Some insurance companies offer discounts to BOP customers. For example, you might be able to save money by bundling a BOP with another policy or paying your annual premium in full.
- Shop around: The cost of BOP insurance is different for cleaning businesses. To find the most affordable BOP, shop around and compare rate quotes from a few different carriers.
- Understand the exclusions: Every BOP has exclusions. Read the fine print so you know what losses you aren’t covered for. To fill gaps in your BOP, you might need to purchase other types of insurance.
Cleaning business owner’s policy exclusions
BOP insurance for cleaning businesses doesn’t cover everything. These are some losses that aren’t covered under this type of policy:
- Employee injuries and lawsuits
- Accidents in business-owned vehicles
- Property damage caused by normal wear and tear
- Property damage caused by floods or earthquakes
- Intentional or criminal acts
- Data breaches
What our expert says
Q: Why should cleaning business consider BOP insurance?

FAQ
Does a BOP cover employee injuries?
No, a BOP doesn’t cover employee injuries. If you have employees, most states require workers’ compensation insurance, which pays for an employee’s medical expenses if they get sick or injured at work. The general liability portion of a BOP only covers third-party injuries.
Are natural disasters like floods or earthquakes covered under a BOP?
Most BOPs exclude property damage caused by floods and earthquakes but most other natural disasters are covered. If your business is located in an area that experiences extreme weather events, you might need to supplement your BOP with other types of insurance, like commercial flood insurance.
Do I need a BOP if I operate a small, home-based business?
Some home-based businesses can benefit from a BOP, but it depends on the type of business you own and what your other policies cover. While most home and renters insurance policies provide some coverage for home-based businesses, it’s usually limited. If you see clients in your home or store expensive equipment or inventory in your home office, having a BOP is probably a good investment.