Yes, a House Cleaner Who Works Alone Can Get a Ghost Policy
If someone asks for proof of workers' compensation insurance, a ghost policy can help you send a certificate. A ghost policy is for people who have no employees and no subcontractors but need to show proof. A house cleaner who works alone is a one-person business. A ghost policy shows the business has coverage, but it does not cover you, the owner. You reject coverage for yourself when you buy it, so it pays no medical or wage benefits to you. It only proves coverage exists for a business with no workers.
What Is a Ghost Policy?
A ghost policy is a real insurance policy. It is for one-person businesses with no employees. It proves the business has workers' comp insurance. A certificate of insurance (COI) is often needed. A ghost policy lets you send a COI even if you do not need coverage for anyone else. It covers no one. It only shows coverage exists. It does not pay for injuries or medical bills. It helps you send a certificate when asked.
Do You Need a Ghost Policy as a House Cleaner?
Some clients or places may ask for proof. For example, a customer may want a COI before you clean their home. Or a building manager may need it for a rental. A ghost policy can help you give that proof. But remember: it does not cover you, the owner. If you want a policy that pays you when you get hurt, you need regular workers' comp, not a ghost policy.
How to Get a Ghost Policy for House Cleaning
- Get your quote. Answer a few questions about your work.
- You will pick a class code. That code is based on your work type and state. It helps decide your price.
- See your price. This is the real price for your situation. You will not pay anything until you agree.
- Know what it does not cover. It pays no medical bills or lost wages to you, the owner.
- Buy your policy by card. Cimarron issues your policy within 24 business hours of your payment and signed documents. The premium is fully earned, so once the policy is issued there is no refund. Then your policy documents and a COI will be ready. You can send the COI to anyone who asked for proof.
What Does a Ghost Policy Cover?
A ghost policy covers no one. It is for proving coverage. It does not pay for injuries or medical bills. If you are hurt at work, it does not help you. It only helps you send a certificate when asked. A 👻Ghost Policy never covers the owner; if you want coverage for yourself, you need regular workers' comp.
Why Would a House Cleaner Need a Certificate?
Some people or companies ask for proof. For example:
- A landlord might ask for proof before letting you clean their property.
- A customer might want a COI for peace of mind.
- A contractor might ask if you are insured before working together.
A ghost policy helps you send that proof. It shows your business has a policy, even if you are the only person working. You can hand over a certificate when someone asks, and you do not need coverage for anyone else. A ghost policy is for the owner only. That means no employees and no subcontractors of any kind, even subs who carry their own insurance or hand you a certificate. If anyone else works for you — an employee, a subcontractor, a 1099 worker, day labor, or a family member who helps — you need regular workers' comp, not a ghost policy.
What Class Code Do You Use for House Cleaning?
House cleaners usually use a class code that matches general cleaning work. Class codes are like labels for types of work. They help decide the price of the policy. But the code does not change what your policy covers. It is only used to set the price. Some states, like California, use their own codes, so the code you get can depend on where you live. When you get your quote, you will see the code used for your state. That code helps decide your price. The code is just used to set the price. The coverage is the same — it proves coverage exists, but it does not cover you, the owner.
Which States Can Get a Ghost Policy?
UNO sells ghost policies in 14 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Carolina, South Dakota and Virginia. Start your quote to see if you can get one in your state. The quote will also tell you the price for your situation. You decide what to do after that.
Work above 15 feet, such as washing the outside of high windows, can't be covered by this program. If any of your cleaning goes that high, you need regular workers' comp instead.
