Janitorial Business Insurance in Tennessee

Common risks for janitorial companies

• Slip-and-fall injuries on freshly mopped floors
• Damage to office equipment, floors, or fixtures
• Employee theft from client offices
• Lost keys that force a client to rekey a building
• Chemical exposure and lifting injuries for staff

Coverages janitorial companies often consider

• General liability Helps if your business is blamed for injuring someone or damaging their property, and usually pays for a legal defense.
• Surety bonds Commercial clients often require a janitorial bond. Third-party bonds can help if an employee steals from a client.
• Workers’ compensation Pays medical bills and lost wages if an employee is hurt on the job, and includes employer’s liability.
• Commercial auto Covers vehicles used for the business. Personal car insurance policies often exclude or limit business use.
• Commercial umbrella Large building contracts may require higher limits.
• Tools and equipment (inland marine) Covers tools and gear that travel to job sites or customer locations, or sit in your truck.

Not every business needs every coverage. The right mix depends on your work, your contracts, and your budget. All coverage is subject to underwriting and the terms of the policy.

What a claim could look like

For example, imagine a tenant in a Cool Springs office building slips on a wet lobby floor before work. The tenant claims the injury against the building and your company. A claim like that would often go to your general liability, depending on the facts and policy terms.

This is a hypothetical example for education only. Whether any claim is covered depends on the facts and your policy terms.

Tennessee rules to know

Workers’ comp. Most Tennessee employers outside construction and coal mining must carry workers’ compensation once they have five or more employees, full- or part-time, per the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Even below that number, many owners choose to carry it.

We can review your requirements and help you shop workers’ compensation and the other coverages above with carriers that write janitorial companies, subject to underwriting.

Certificates of insurance

Building owners usually ask janitorial companies for additional insured status, waivers of subrogation, and minimum limits. Send your agent the contract before you sign.

A certificate of insurance shows your coverage on the day it’s issued. If a contract asks for additional insured status or a waiver of subrogation, the policy usually needs an endorsement, not just a line on the certificate. Our certificate of insurance checklist walks through what to check.

What affects the cost

• The type of work you do and how it’s classified
• Annual revenue and payroll
• Number of employees and any subcontractors
• Where you work and the value of your equipment or property
• The limits and deductibles you choose
• Your claims history and years in business

We can’t promise a price ahead of time, but we can compare options and explain the trade-offs in plain English.

How Eric can help janitorial companies

Cleaning crews and service pros across Nashville, Brentwood, Hendersonville, and Murfreesboro often need certificates for office buildings, HOAs, and property managers. As an independent agent affiliated with Hutsenpiller Insurance, Eric can review what you have, read your contract requirements with you, and help you shop options with more than one carrier. See how an independent agent works for you.

Related guides

• Cleaning and Property Services Insurance in Tennessee
• All business types we can help
• Business insurance in Middle Tennessee
• General liability insurance
• Commercial auto insurance
• Certificates and additional insureds explained
• What drives commercial auto costs
• Small business insurance checklist (PDF)
• Certificate of insurance checklist (PDF)