Do you need insurance before your first job as a house cleaner?
You might need insurance before you start your first job as a house cleaner. Some people or companies will ask to see proof you have insurance before they let you work. This is called a certificate of insurance.
Insurance for house cleaners is usually workers' compensation. It pays for medical bills if a covered person (someone listed in the policy) gets hurt on the job. But by default, you are not covered. You can choose to be covered, but it costs more. We'll explain more about that below.
Who might ask you for insurance?
When you start cleaning for someone, they might ask for insurance. This is common if you:
- Work for a company and get a 1099 form at the end of the year.
- Work for a private person who wants proof you are covered.
- Use a platform that connects you with cleaning jobs.
They want to know that if a covered person gets hurt, there is money to help them. It is not about you being a bad cleaner—it is about being safe and following rules.
What is workers' compensation?
Workers' compensation is insurance that pays for medical bills if a covered person gets hurt on the job. It also helps if they can't work because of the injury. But by default, it does not cover you, the owner of the business. You can choose to be covered, but that costs more.
If you only clean for yourself and have no employees, you can still get workers' comp. This is called a ghost policy. It shows the policy exists, but it does not pay for your own injuries unless you choose to be included.
Some states have their own rating bureau for workers' compensation. For example, California uses the WCIRB. Other states like Texas or New York use their own systems. The class code for house cleaning work can vary by state, but your quote will show the right one for you.
How to get a certificate of insurance
If someone asks for a certificate of insurance, you need to show them a copy of your policy. This is called a COI. It shows:
- The name of the insurance company.
- The type of coverage (like workers' comp).
- The dates it is active.
To get a COI, you need to buy a policy. Ghost policies are made for this. You can get one quickly online. Get your quote in minutes to see if you can get coverage in your state.
What if you do not have insurance?
If you do not have insurance and get hurt, you will have to pay for your own medical bills. This can cost a lot. Some people or companies might not let you work if you do not have insurance. It is safer to get coverage before you start your first job.
Also, if you are asked to show insurance and you don’t have it, they may not let you work for them. This means you could miss out on a job. It is better to be ready before you start.
What to do if you get a request for insurance
If you are asked to show insurance before you work, here is what to do:
- Check if you need workers' compensation. Ask the person or company why they need it.
- Get a quote. You can start your quote to see if you can get coverage in your state.
- Buy a policy. If you get a real price, you can buy it online and get a certificate right away.
- Send the certificate. You can email it or mail it to the person who asked for it.
This shows you are serious about the job and ready to work. It also helps if you get hurt or if they need to know you are covered.
Why get coverage even if you are the only one working?
You might be the only one working, but you still need insurance. It is a way to protect yourself and follow the rules. Some people or companies will not let you work without it. It is also smart in case you get hurt. You can choose to be covered, but that costs more. Think about the cost and how important it is to you.
Even if you are not covered, the policy still shows that your business has insurance. This is useful when you need to prove it to someone. It is a good idea to have a policy before you start working for others.
More help if you are unsure
If you are not sure what to do, start with your quote. It shows the real price for your state and the kind of work you do. It also tells you if you can get a policy and a certificate quickly. You can start your quote right now to see what is possible for you.
Remember: A ghost policy proves coverage exists but does not cover you, the owner. If you want to be covered, you can choose to be included, but it costs more. Always check with the person asking for insurance to make sure you understand what they need.
