It can seem counterintuitive to need insurance if you run a carpet cleaning business. It doesn’t exactly sound like the highest risk profession in the world. However, there are situations where you could be held liable if something goes wrong. For instance, if you accidentally ruin the carpeting you’re cleaning, someone could seek damages to cover the loss. So that’s why it pays to look into carpet cleaning insurance. Below we’ll cover what it is, where you can find it and the costs.
- Best Carpet Cleaning Insurance Companies
- What is Carpet Cleaning Insurance?
- How Much Does Carpet Cleaning Insurance Cost?
How Much Does Carpet Cleaning Insurance Cost?
Like most other insurance types, carpet cleaning insurance premiums are highly dependent on the coverage limits you choose. Insurance Canopy lists three tiers with its inland marine coverage:
- $1,000 occurrence/$3,000 aggregate: $40 premium
- $2,000 occurrence/$6,000 aggregate: $55 premium
- $5,000 occurrence/$10,000 aggregate: $60 premium
When we went through the quote system, premiums appear to be annual.
That also comes with a fixed $250 deductible.
The rest of the general liability plan starts at $35 per month. We got a quote for a single carpet cleaner operating in Wisconsin. We got the following quote with the lowest limit of inland marine insurance added.
Also, if you choose to get separate policies from small business insurers, your premiums will depend on which types of insurance you get. For instance, Insureon states that cleaning professionals can expect to pay less than $45 per month for general liability insurance. Workers’ compensation is less than $150 per month on average. Commercial auto runs around $130 per month. Janitorial bonds can be around $8 per month.
You may also qualify for savings if you bundle these different insurance types through a single insurer.
Learn more about the general cost of cleaning business insurance here.
What is Carpet Cleaning Insurance?
As a term, carpet cleaning insurance covers the different types of small business insurance you should carry as a carpet cleaner. The term acts much like window cleaning insurance and cleaning business insurance.
You have two main options. You can source carpet cleaning insurance through a traditional small business insurer or you can go through a company that offers one comprehensive product for carpet cleaners.
If you go the route of choosing one product, an example of such a policy is listed through Insurance Canopy. The plan offers general liability limits of $2 million aggregate and $1 million per occurrence. It also covers products and completed operations, personal and advertising injury, damage to rented premises and medical expense.
You also have the option of adding inland marine insurance, which can provide protection in case your equipment is damaged in certain situations, such as while being transported.
Meanwhile, insurance quote comparison site Insureon lists four different types of small business insurance carpet cleaners should consider:
- General liability insurance: Covers you against basic risks, like accidental damage to property while cleaning
- Worker’s compensation insurance: Covers you if you have employees and one of them becomes injured from work duties, may be required by your state
- Commercial auto insurance: Covers you if the vehicle you take between cleaning sites gets into an accident or is otherwise damaged
- Janitorial bonds: These are a type of surety bond that can provide coverage in case of employee dishonesty, for instance if an employee steals from a home they are cleaning. Lear more about janitorial bonds, also called bonded insurance.
>>MORE: The Best Insurance for Cleaning Business
Best Carpet Cleaning Insurance Companies
We recommend the following companies:
- CoverWallet: Best for Comparing Online Quotes
- Hiscox: Best for Small Carpet Cleaning Businesses
- The Hartford: Best for Reputation
- Thimble: Best for Temporary Coverage
As a starting point, it might pay to look at quote comparison sites like CoverWallet. By comparing quotes from several companies in one place, you will be able to select the best (and the cheapest) one for you.
>>MORE: How Much Is Window Cleaning Insurance?
Final Thoughts
Carpet cleaning insurance covers insurance types that a carpet cleaner might want to carry, such as general liability, commercial auto, workers’ compensation and janitorial bonds. You might also find special general liability products created for carpet cleaners. Costs tend to range around $35 per month for specialty carpet cleaning insurance. Also, costs can fluctuate based on adding other types of insurance or the limits you choose.