Cleaning Business Insurance UK (Full 2026 Guide)
Cleaning is low-risk compared to most trades — but a single dropped iPad or flooded bathroom can cost more than a year of profit. The right insurance is cheap and non-negotiable.
This guide covers the cleaning business insurance you need in the UK in 2026, what each cover actually does, and how much to budget.
1. Public liability insurance (essential)
Public liability covers damage to client property or injury to third parties. £2m is the minimum most domestic clients expect; £5m is standard for commercial contracts. Typical cost: £8–£20/month for solo cleaners.
2. Employers' liability insurance (legally required if you hire)
If you employ anyone, even part-time or family, UK law requires £5m minimum employers' liability cover. Fines for not having it run up to £2,500 per day. Typical cost: £6–£15/month.
3. Treatment risk / care, custody and control
Standard public liability often excludes damage to the actual item you were cleaning (the cooker you scratched, the carpet you stained). Treatment risk or "care, custody and control" cover adds that protection — important for end of tenancy and deep cleans.
4. Key cover
If you hold client keys you should have key cover. It pays for lock replacement and re-keying if a key is lost. Often a £5/month add-on.
5. Tools and equipment cover
Covers theft and damage to your hoover, machines and supplies, especially if you carry them in a van. Worth it once you've bought a carpet machine or commercial hoover.
6. Business van insurance
Standard car insurance doesn't cover commercial use. If you drive a van or carry tools/supplies in your car for work, you need commercial vehicle insurance.
Recommended UK providers
- Simply Business — tailored cleaner policies, instant online quotes.
- Hiscox — strong on small-business cover, good claims reputation.
- Tradesman Saver — competitive for sole-trader cleaners.
- AXA Business — wider for commercial cleaning operations.
What it should cost
A solo domestic cleaner with £2m public liability, key cover and treatment risk usually pays £12–£20/month. A 5-person commercial cleaning company with £5m PL, employers' liability and tools cover typically pays £55–£90/month.
Public liability insurance for cleaners UK
Public liability is the foundation cover for any UK cleaning business, most policies start at £2m, with £5m typical for commercial contracts. Expect to pay £8–£20/month for solo cleaners and £25–£60/month for small teams.
Do self employed cleaners need insurance?
Yes, even self-employed cleaners cleaning a single client's home should hold public liability insurance. Almost every letting agent, commercial client and Airbnb host will ask for the certificate before booking.
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People also ask
Common related searches cleaning business owners run on Google.
What insurance does a cleaning business need UK?+
Public liability (£2m for domestic, £5m for commercial) at minimum. Add employers' liability if you hire anyone (legally required), plus key cover and treatment risk for property-cleaning specialists.
How much does public liability insurance cost for cleaners?+
£8–£20/month for solo domestic cleaners with £2m cover. Small commercial cleaning teams with £5m cover typically pay £25–£60/month.
Do I need employers liability insurance for self employed cleaners?+
If they're genuinely self-employed sub-contractors, no. The moment you hire anyone classed as an employee, including family members on payroll, £5m employers' liability is a legal requirement.
What's the best insurance company for cleaners UK?+
Simply Business, Hiscox, Tradesman Saver and AXA Business all offer dedicated cleaner policies. Compare for treatment risk, key cover and claim turnaround, not just price.
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a cleaning business need in the UK?
At minimum: public liability (£2m for domestic, £5m for commercial), employers' liability if you hire (legally required), and ideally treatment risk and key cover.
How much does cleaning business insurance cost UK?
Solo domestic cleaners typically pay £8–£20/month for £2m public liability. Small teams with £5m cover, employers' liability and tools insurance pay £40–£90/month.
Is public liability insurance a legal requirement for cleaners?
It's not legally required for sole traders, but nearly every client and letting agent will demand to see a certificate. Employers' liability is legally required the moment you hire anyone.
What is treatment risk insurance for cleaners?
It covers damage to the actual item you were working on — the carpet you stained, the oven you scratched — which standard public liability usually excludes.
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