Authored and Reviewed by: Sam Meenasian, Licensed Insurance Professional (CA License #0F75955) Last Updated 05/12/2026
This overview is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or insurance advice. Coverage terms and availability vary by state, carrier, and risk.
Whether you’re washing the windows of a residential home or you’re cleaning skyscraper windows on scaffolding, accidents can happen; that’s why window cleaner insurance is important.
For example, an employee could unknowingly climb an unsteady ladder and fall off, leading to a major head or neck injury. Or, someone might walk by a jobsite and trip over a harness rope. It can also be hazardous to work with some cleaning agents.
When a small business gets sued for bodily injury, property damage, or worker injury, it can be costly. Fortunately, window cleaner insurance can protect your business financially.
We’ve specialized in window cleaner insurance since 2007, backed by nearly two decades of experience in commercial insurance.
General Liability
General liability insurance is one of the most important types of window cleaner insurance. It consists of bodily injury and property damage. This policy may help pay for your legal defense if you get sued for bodily injury or property damage. It will also cover a settlement or judgment with the third party, as well as costs like medical bills and property repairs.
Inland Marine
Inland marine / tools & equipment coverage can help protect mobile business property (like squeegees, poles, ladders, and other gear) in transit, at a job site, or in temporary storage, depending on the policy form and endorsements.
For example, you’re driving to a job site and you get into an accident, which causes your cleaning supplies, scrapers, and squeegees to fly all over the road. In this case, your inland marine policy helps cover the cost of replacing those items.
Workers Compensation Insurance
Workers compensation insurance is a legal requirement in many states for businesses that have employees. It’s one of the most important policies for window cleaning businesses. If a worker gets sick or injured as a result of his/her work, this policy pays for their medical bills, lost wages, and disability benefits.
Commercial Auto Insurance
Most window washing businesses use trucks or vans to travel to and from job sites. However, personal car insurance policies may not always provide coverage for business use. Commercial car insurance provides liability coverage and will pay for the driver’s legal fees if they cause an accident. You can also purchase physical damage coverage, which will pay for the repairs after a crash.
Bonds (Surety and Fidelity)
“Bonds” can mean different things:
Surety bond: Often required for licensing, permits, or certain contracts. A surety bond is a guarantee of compliance or performance. If a valid claim is paid to the obligee, the surety can seek reimbursement from the bonded business under the indemnity agreement.
Fidelity / janitorial bond: Often requested by clients who want protection against employee theft.
If a client says “you must be bonded,” confirm what type of bond they actually require.
Excess Liability
While most window cleaner insurance policies come with a generous amount of liability coverage, every policy is capped at what’s called the coverage limit. If you want to purchase more liability insurance than your standard policy includes, you can purchase an excess liability policy.
How To Get Window Cleaner Insurance
Every window cleaning business has different insurance needs. Therefore, it’s important to ask yourself some questions before deciding which types of insurance to purchase, and how much coverage is right for you. Here are several things to consider as you shop for insurance:
How much risk you face: Every window cleaning business faces risks, but the amount of risk you face depends on factors like the number of employees you have, the types of jobs you take, and how much liability you face.
Choose the right coverages: Think about what insurance policies make sense for your business. For instance, if you’re a sole proprietor with no employees, you may not be legally required to carry workers’ comp in your state, but you may still choose it (or an alternative occupational accident solution) to help manage medical and lost-wage exposure.
Purchase enough coverage: The cost of window cleaner insurance depends on the amount of coverage you get. Make sure to buy enough coverage for your specific risks, otherwise, you could have to pay a portion of a claim out-of-pocket.
Pick a reasonable deductible: A deductible is sometimes required if you have a claim. Choose a deductible amount that you could easily afford in the event of a covered loss. If you can’t afford the deductible, you may not receive a payout from your insurance carrier.
Get a quote: Before you buy window cleaner insurance, get a few online quotes to compare costs. You might be surprised to learn that the cost of business insurance can vary significantly between insurance companies.
Work with an agent: Even if you can purchase a business insurance policy entirely online, it’s still a good idea to talk to an agent. They can answer your questions and help you choose the right amount of coverage.
Tip: Certificates of Insurance (COIs)
Many commercial clients and property managers require a COI before you can start work. If you need to add an additional insured, request it early so you don’t lose a job due to paperwork delays.
Window Cleaner Business Insurance Cost
The cost of window-cleaning business insurance depends on several factors, including your location, the number of employees you have, your claim history, the type of policy you buy, your coverage limits, and your deductibles. The more coverage you purchase, the more expensive your premium will be. With our carriers, the cost of window cleaner liability insurance starts from $39 per month.
GENERAL LIABILITY
From
$39
/ month
Down Payment Required
WORKERS COMPENSATION
From
$55
/ month
Down Payment Required
TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
From
$17
/ month
Down Payment Required
COMMERCIAL AUTO
From
$99
/ month
Down Payment Required
Prices shown are starting estimates for qualifying small businesses. Your actual premium depends on payroll, revenue, location, and claims history. Get a free quote for your exact rate.
Our Partners
We partner with A-Rated AM Best Insurance Companies (ratings subject to change)
Window Cleaner Business Insurance FAQ
Why Do Window Cleaners Need Insurance?
There are a few reasons why window cleaners need to have business insurance. First, window cleaning can be very dangerous, and the risk of injuries is high. Whether a worker or a client gets injured on a job site, it could cost your business lots of money in legal fees. In addition, many clients require their window-cleaning vendors to have insurance in case something goes wrong. You might even need insurance to get a business license in your state.
What Are The Risks Facing Window Cleaner Businesses?
Window cleaners face a wide variety of risks that can lead to potential lawsuits. An employee could fall off a ladder and sue your business for unsafe working conditions. A client could take legal action if you failed to meet the details of your contract agreement. There could be a warehouse fire that damages thousands of dollars' worth of equipment. With window cleaner business insurance, you can get financial protection for many of these situations.
Is Insurance Required For Window Cleaning Businesses?
Many service-based businesses, such as window cleaning companies, need to have certain types of insurance. It’s possible that a prospective client could require your business to carry insurance before they agree to sign a contract. Also, many landlords require business owners to have insurance before they can sign a lease. You can check with your city or state to find out if you need insurance to obtain a business license.
Are Monthly Payments Available?
We offer easy monthly payment plans with most of the policies. Usually, a down payment is required to start. Payment plans may include 9 or 10 monthly options, depending on the qualifying business.
What Are The Penalties To Cancel My Insurance Policy?
We don’t charge an agency cancellation fee. However, depending on your policy and insurer, cancellation may be subject to earned premium, short‑rate cancellation, or minimum earned premium provisions. Review your policy documents or ask an agent to confirm how cancellation would be handled.
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