Pressure Washing Insurance

Whether or not your pressure washing business is required to have insurance will be determined by your state's laws, as well as the laws in your specific city and county. Additionally, some clients may require proof of insurance before signing a contract with your business.

The exact requirements can vary based on a number of factors, such as your business size, the type of work you do, and how many employees you have on staff.

Some specific examples of state requirements are:

• California requires all pressure cleaning businesses to have workers' compensation if they have any employees, and commercial auto insurance if they utilize a business-owned vehicle.
• Florida pressure washing companies with four or more employees must maintain a workers' comp policy, as well as the minimum commercial auto coverage limits for all company vehicles.
• Texas only mandates a commercial auto insurance policy for pressure washers if they drive a work vehicle owned by the business, however a workers' comp policy is strongly recommended.

Even if it's not required, business insurance is a key component of a risk management plan for all small businesses.

Additionally, looking at your local government's requirements before starting your pressure washing services business is a key step, as they'll be able to tell you which insurance policies, licenses, bonds, permits, and fees you need to acquire or pay.

Yes, general liability insurance can cover accidental damage to a client’s property while you’re working, and often includes things like knocking over and breaking items, or damaging siding, windows, or fixtures with high-pressure spray.

However, there are a few important limits to keep in mind:

• “Your work” exclusion. Some policies won’t cover damage to the surface you were hired to clean if it’s considered part of your work (like stripping paint or damaging concrete). This is often called the “your work” exclusion.
• Chemical damage may not be covered. Damage caused by cleaning chemicals or runoff is often excluded. You may need pollution liability coverage to help cover these risks.
• Policy limits apply. General liability policies typically cover up to a set amount, like $1 million per-occurrence and $2 million aggregate. For larger or more expensive jobs, you might need umbrella coverage or excess liability insurance for extra protection.

Insurance can cover accidental property damage, but exclusions and coverage limits can vary, meaning it’s important to review your policy and consider additional coverage if needed.

Coverage depends on your policy and how your subcontractors are classified.

If you hire workers for on-site jobs, workers’ compensation insurance is typically needed to cover job-related injuries. This may apply to employees and, in some cases, subcontractors, depending on state laws and how they’re classified.

For liability protection, subcontractors are usually not covered under your general liability policy by default. Instead, subcontractors will need to get covered via one of the following methods:

• They may need to carry their own insurance.
• You may need to add them as an additional insured on your policy (or be added to theirs), depending on the contract.

To stay protected, it's important to ensure they have coverage to avoid any potential risks of lawsuits in the event there are coverage gaps.

To fully protect your pressure washing business from risks and liabilities, you may need additional types of coverage.

This includes:

• Hired and non-owned auto (HNOA) insurance protects you and your employees if they drive a personal, rented, or leased vehicle for work purposes. This is because your personal auto insurance is unlikely to cover you for a work-related accident, such as visiting a client’s home or taking supplies to a jobsite.
• Equipment breakdown coverage handles the cost to repair or replace essential equipment if it suddenly fails due to mechanical or electrical issues, and not normal wear and tear.
• Commercial property insurance safeguards your building and its contents against financial losses from fires, storms, and burglaries. It's important to have commercial property coverage since homeowner's insurance provides little to no protection for business property.
• Business personal property (BPP) insurance covers your business personal property, which does not include buildings or offices. It protects your pressure washing equipment while it's stored at a designated location, but you'll still need tools and equipment coverage (also called inland marine insurance) while it's in transit or at a jobsite.
• Janitorial bonds, also known as employee dishonesty bonds, protect your clients in case an employee steals from them while on the job. Having a bond can help build trust and may be required for certain contracts.

Some of the above coverages, such as HNOA and BPP coverage, can be added to your general liability policy as an endorsement.

Pressure washers and other cleaning businesses can save money on insurance by comparing quotes from different insurance companies. With Insureon, you can get free quotes from top-rated insurance carriers by filling out one easy application.

There are a few other ways to save, such as:

• Bundle your policies. The most popular option is a business owner's policy, which pairs your general liability policy with commercial property insurance to save money.
• Customize your policy. You can choose lower limits, a higher deductible, or certain exclusions to save on your premium.
• Focus on workplace safety. Fewer accidents mean fewer liability claims, which helps lower your insurance costs.

Learn more about how to find cheap business insurance.