7 Checks Before Hiring an Insured Residential Cleaner
Last Updated: November 1, 2026
Quick Summary
To hire an insured residential cleaning service, verify coverage in writing before booking, not just the company's word. Ask for a certificate of insurance, confirm the policy is active and names the business you're hiring, and check for both liability and workers' compensation coverage.
Ask for a certificate of insurance and confirm the policy is active today.
Check that the named insured is the company, not an individual contractor.
Know that insurance covers accidents and damage, while bonds address other obligations.
Call your homeowners insurer to learn how a cleaner-caused claim would be handled.
Photograph valuables before the first visit and compare written quotes line by line.
Table of Contents
Hiring a residential cleaner means letting someone you may have never met into your home, past your locks, near your valuables and sometimes around your children and pets, so choosing an insured residential cleaning service is a sound first step. Insurance is one of the most practical parts of that foundation. Before you book anyone, the question to ask is simple: if something goes wrong, who pays? This guide walks through seven checks that help you answer it.
Insurance protects you when a cleaner damages property, breaks something valuable or gets hurt on the job, which is why an insured residential cleaning company is worth prioritizing. Without it, a single accident can turn into a dispute between you and the cleaner, with your homeowners policy possibly in the middle. Many homeowners assume that a company's word covers them. It often does not. Verifying coverage in writing is the only way to know what protection you actually have.
Keep in mind that insurance is not the same as trustworthiness. A fully insured company can still provide poor service, and an uninsured independent cleaner may be excellent. The checks below help you separate the two, so you can make a decision based on facts rather than assumptions.
How to Verify a Cleaning Company Is Insured
A common mistake is accepting "we're insured" as a complete answer. Verification means seeing evidence, not hearing a claim. Ask the company to send proof before the first visit, and make sure the document names the business you are hiring.
Ask for a Certificate of Insurance and Check the Dates
A certificate of insurance, often called a COI, is the standard document that shows a company's coverage. It should list the insurer, policy numbers, coverage types and effective dates. Check that the policy is active today, not expired or about to lapse. Look for general liability coverage and workers' compensation coverage, since these address different risks: liability covers damage to your property, while workers' compensation covers injuries to the cleaners themselves.
Confirm the Policy Holder Is the Company, Not a Contractor
Some cleaners work as independent contractors and carry their own small policies, which may not cover the employer-style risks of a cleaning business. Check that the named insured is the company you are hiring. If the cleaner is a contractor, ask whether their policy specifically covers residential cleaning work and whether the company that dispatches them carries separate coverage.
Bonded and Insured House Cleaners: What Each One Actually Covers
These two terms are often used together but describe different protections. Insurance generally covers accidents, property damage and injuries. A bond, in most cases, is a surety arrangement that can compensate a customer if the company fails to meet its obligations, such as in cases of theft or fraud, depending on the bond's terms.
Neither term guarantees that every loss will be repaid. Coverage limits, deductibles and exclusions vary from one policy to another. Ask what the policy limit is, whether theft is covered and what the claims process looks like.
What Homeowners Insurance Will and Won't Cover
Your own homeowners policy may or may not respond if a cleaner causes damage. Many homeowners policies cover property damage caused by visitors, but some exclude paid service providers or require the service company to pay first. Call your insurer and ask how a claim involving a hired cleaner would be handled. Write down the answer and the agent's name.
Keep records of anything valuable before the first visit. Photos of fragile items, electronics and artwork can help establish what was damaged and when.
Questions to Ask a House Cleaning Service Before You Book
Beyond insurance, a short list of questions reveals how a company operates. Ask whether cleaners are background-checked and how often, whether they are employees or contractors, and what happens if an item is broken or missing. To see exactly what a recurring house cleaning covers, check the recurring house cleaning service details before you book. Ask what cleaning supplies they use, especially if you have pets, young children or sensitive household members. You can review the move in/out cleaning scope to compare what a deep clean includes. Ask how they handle rescheduling and who to contact if a problem arises.
Compare the answers across companies. Vague or evasive responses are a warning sign, and specific, documented answers are a good one.
Comparing Quotes and Contract Terms Side by Side
Price matters, but a low quote can hide gaps in coverage or service. Pricing depends on home size, service frequency and the scope of work, so request written estimates that list exactly what is included. Current pricing and a free estimate are available on the Janicemariecleaningservices website. Compare the scope of each service, not just the total. Check whether supplies are included, what the cancellation policy is and whether the contract includes a satisfaction guarantee.
Read the contract for the liability section, the damage-reporting process and any clauses limiting the company's responsibility. If terms are unclear, ask for an explanation in writing before you sign.
Booking Your Insured Cleaner and Keeping Your Records
Once you have verified coverage and compared terms, book with confidence and keep everything organized. Save the certificate of insurance, the signed contract, the receipts and any written communication about the service. If something goes wrong, these records make it far easier to file a claim and resolve the issue.
To schedule your cleaning or request a free estimate, contact Janicemariecleaningservices at 1-612-203-1686.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify that a residential cleaning service is insured?
Ask the company for a certificate of insurance (COI) that lists general liability and workers' compensation coverage, then check the policy dates and the named insured. You can also call the insurance agent listed on the certificate to confirm the policy is active.
What insurance should a house cleaning company have?
At minimum, a professional cleaning company should carry general liability insurance to cover property damage a cleaner causes, and workers' compensation insurance to cover injuries to its own employees while working in your home. Many also carry bonding, which protects you against theft. Ask for proof of each separately, because a policy covering one does not automatically cover the others. Coverage amounts vary, so ask what limits apply.
Does homeowners insurance cover damage caused by a house cleaner?
Usually not directly. Your homeowners policy covers your property, not damage a hired service causes to it. A cleaning company's general liability policy is the normal source of recovery for broken items or water damage a cleaner causes. If the company is uninsured, you may have to pursue the company or individual cleaner yourself. Check your own policy, since some carriers handle these situations differently.
Should I hire an insured cleaning company or an independent cleaner?
An insured company generally offers more protection because the business, not just one person, carries liability and workers' compensation coverage. Independent cleaners can be insured too, but many are not, and you must verify coverage individually. If you hire an independent cleaner, ask for their own certificate of insurance and confirm the policy is current before the first visit.
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