What "insured & bonded" really means for a cleaning company
Almost every cleaning company claims it. Few facility managers know what it actually covers — or what to ask for. Here's the plain-English version, and why it protects you before you ever sign.
"Insured and bonded" is one of those phrases that sounds reassuring but rarely gets explained. When a cleaning crew is in your building — around equipment, glass, electronics, and sometimes cash or sensitive areas — the difference between a properly covered company and one that just says it is the difference between "someone else's problem" and "your problem." Here's what each piece actually means.
This is general education, not legal or insurance advice. Confirm specifics with your risk manager or broker.
"Insured" — usually two different policies
General liability insurance
This covers damage the cleaning company causes to your property or third parties — a scratched floor, a broken fixture, a slip caused by a wet floor sign that wasn't put out. If the company is properly insured, their policy pays, not you.
Workers' compensation
This covers the crew if someone is injured while working in your building. Without it, an injured worker could potentially come after the property owner. This is the coverage facility managers most often forget to check — and the one that protects you the most.
"Bonded" — protection against theft or non-performance
A janitorial (or "surety") bond is a financial guarantee that reimburses you if an employee of the cleaning company steals from your premises, or in some cases if the company fails to perform the contracted work. Because cleaners often work after hours and unsupervised, a bond is real peace of mind for high-trust environments.
Why it matters more than the price
A cheaper company that skips proper coverage is quietly transferring risk onto you. One incident — an injury claim, water damage, a theft — can cost far more than a year of the "savings." For government and larger commercial contracts, proof of coverage isn't optional; it's a requirement to even bid.
Exactly what to ask for before you sign
- A Certificate of Insurance (COI) — request it directly, and confirm the policy is current.
- General liability limits — a common baseline is $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate.
- Active workers' compensation for all crew members.
- A janitorial/surety bond, with the coverage amount.
- "Additional insured" status — ask to have your organization named as additional insured on their liability policy, so you're covered under it too.
Green flags in a good provider
- They offer the COI before you even ask.
- They can name their coverage limits without hesitating.
- They're comfortable being named additional insured.
- They back it up with accountability — like documented proof of service — so "covered" is matched by "reliable."
Want a partner that's fully covered — and proves its work?
Peache is fully insured and bonded, government- and commercial-contract ready, and documents every clean. Request a quote and we'll gladly share our COI.