Janitorial & Cleaning Services Insurance Requirements

What property managers need to verify before hiring

Risk Level: low

Typical GL: $1,000,000/$2,000,000

Janitorial and cleaning contractors are typically on your property daily, operating in secured areas with access to tenant spaces, common areas, and sensitive equipment rooms. This frequent access creates unique liability exposures that differ from project-based trades. The primary risks are slip-and-fall injuries from wet floors, chemical exposure from cleaning products, and the ever-present risk of employee theft or damage to tenant property. Property managers must verify appropriate insurance and also consider bonding requirements. For standard janitorial services, $1M/$2M GL coverage is the minimum. Pay particular attention to the medical payments and personal injury coverage sections, as slip-and-fall claims from building occupants encountering wet floors or cleaning chemicals are the most frequent janitorial liability claims. If the cleaning company provides window washing for multi-story buildings, verify that the GL policy does not exclude work at heights. Janitorial companies should carry a dishonesty bond (employee theft coverage) in addition to standard GL coverage. This protects against claims of theft by cleaning employees who have unsupervised access to tenant spaces. Fidelity bonds typically range from $25K to $100K per occurrence. Additionally, janitorial companies using subcontractors should provide COIs for all subs who will have access to your property.

Recommended Insurance for Janitorial & Cleaning Services

Coverage Type	Recommended Minimum	Notes
Commercial General Liability	$1,000,000 / $2,000,000	Should include broad-form property damage coverage. Verify adequate medical payments coverage ($10K minimum) for slip-and-fall incidents.
Workers' Compensation	Statutory limits	Required for all janitorial companies with employees. Chemical exposure and repetitive motion injuries are common WC claims in this trade.
Employee Dishonesty / Fidelity Bond	$50,000 per occurrence	Covers theft by cleaning employees. Essential for any contractor with unsupervised access to tenant spaces. Some property owners require $100K or higher.
Commercial Auto	$1,000,000 combined single limit	Required if the janitorial company operates vehicles carrying supplies and equipment to your property.

Common Risks

Slip-and-fall injuries to building occupants from wet floors or cleaning chemicals

Employee theft or damage to tenant property during unsupervised cleaning

Chemical exposure complaints from cleaning products used in occupied areas

Damage to fixtures, equipment, or surfaces from improper cleaning methods

Falls from height during window washing or high-dusting operations

Key control failures leading to unauthorized access to secured areas

Workers Compensation

NCCI class code 9014 is the primary code for commercial janitorial work with rates typically from $2.50 to $5.50 per $100 of payroll. Exterior window washing (9015) carries significantly higher rates due to fall hazards. The relatively low rates for interior work can lead to underinsurance — verify coverage is maintained.

NCCI Code	Description
9014	Janitorial Services — By Contractors
9015	Building Cleaning — Exterior, Window Washing
9016	Janitorial Services — Residential

Additional Insured Requirements

Require additional insured status on the janitorial contractor's GL policy for the property owner and management company. Given the daily presence of cleaning staff, ensure the endorsement covers all ongoing operations. Waiver of subrogation on GL and WC is standard. Request proof of the dishonesty bond naming the property owner as a loss payee.

Janitorial & Cleaning Services Requirements by State

Insurance requirements vary by state. Select a state to see specific minimums, licensing requirements, and compliance notes for janitorial & cleaning services in that state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need a dishonesty bond from my janitorial contractor?▼

Janitorial employees have unsupervised access to tenant spaces, often during off-hours when buildings are unoccupied. A dishonesty bond (also called a fidelity bond or employee theft bond) covers losses resulting from theft by the contractor's employees. Standard GL policies do not cover employee dishonesty, making this a separate and essential coverage requirement for any contractor with regular building access.

What should I require for window washing on a multi-story building?▼

Window washing at height requires verification that the contractor's GL policy does not exclude work above a certain height or the use of swing stages, bosun chairs, or aerial lifts. Require WC classification under code 9015 (exterior building cleaning) rather than standard janitorial codes. For high-rise window washing, consider requiring $2M/$4M GL limits and an umbrella policy.

How do I handle slip-and-fall claims related to janitorial work?▼

Slip-and-fall claims from wet floors or cleaning chemical residue are the most common janitorial liability claims. Require the cleaning contractor to use wet floor signs, maintain a written safety protocol, and carry GL coverage with adequate medical payments coverage ($10K minimum). When a claim occurs, document the incident immediately and tender the claim to the janitorial contractor's GL carrier under your additional insured endorsement.

Should janitorial companies carry pollution liability?▼

For standard janitorial work using common cleaning products, pollution liability is not typically required. However, if the contractor performs biohazard cleanup, mold remediation, or uses industrial-strength chemicals, pollution liability of at least $500K is recommended. Standard GL policies exclude pollution events, so specialized cleaning operations require this additional coverage.

Automate Janitorial & Cleaning Services COI Compliance

Set your janitorial & cleaning services insurance requirements once. COIPulse checks every certificate automatically and flags what's missing.

Start Free See Pricing