Insurance for pressure washing businesses.
Commercial property managers and many residential clients ask pressure washers for proof of general liability before work starts, because the equipment itself can do the damage the policy exists for. A janitorial bond is a cheap add that commercial contracts frequently require.
Updated 2026-07-02 · Beaconcover editorialThe short answer: Pressure Washing Business insurance starts with General liability, which clients, general contractors, and licensing boards most often require before pressure washing businesses can take a job.
Pressure Washing Business general liability averages $895/year, per Insureon. Reported average, not a quote; actual premiums vary by state, payroll, and underwriting.
What can go wrong for pressure washing businesses?
- Surface and property damage. High-pressure water stripping paint, etching wood, or forcing water behind siding
- Third-party bodily injury. Slick surfaces and hoses around customers and passers-by
- Chemical damage. Cleaning solutions killing landscaping or staining concrete
What insurance do pressure washing businesses need?
- +Surety bond
- +Commercial auto
- +Workers' compensation
How much does pressure washing businesses insurance cost?
- General liability: $895 avg / year[Q]Insureon
- Surety bond: $126 avg (janitorial bond) / year[Q]Insureon
Figures are reported averages, not quotes. Actual premiums vary by state, revenue, payroll, and underwriting.
Compare these against typical premiums for every trade, or read what drives business insurance cost to see how payroll, vehicles, and limits move the number.
Where does pressure washing businesses coverage trip people up?
Water intrusion behind siding or windows may be excluded as faulty workmanship; know where the policy draws the line
The rig and trailer are not covered by liability; commercial auto and equipment cover carry that risk
Roof cleaning and multi-story work can be rated up or excluded the same way height limits work in other trades
Questions to ask any carrier for pressure washing businesses.
- Does the quote include the lines listed above as typically required?
- What does a certificate of insurance cost and how fast can the carrier issue one?
- How is workers' compensation rated for this trade — by payroll or by class code?
- Is there a separate deductible for tools and equipment in transit between sites?
- If a client requires an additional-insured endorsement, is there a fee?
Pressure Washing Business insurance: frequently asked questions.
- What insurance does a pressure washing business need?
- General liability is what property managers and commercial clients require on the certificate of insurance, and a janitorial bond is a common contract add. Commercial auto for the rig and workers' compensation once you hire follow from there. Reported general liability runs about $895/year, per Insureon.
- How much does pressure washing insurance cost?
- Reported median general liability is about $895/year and a janitorial bond about $126/year, per Insureon. Averages, not quotes; commercial work, roof cleaning, and payroll change the figure.
- Does pressure washing insurance cover damage I cause to the surface?
- Damage to third-party property is the core of general liability, but damage caused by doing the work badly can fall under faulty-workmanship exclusions. Read how the policy treats water intrusion and stripped surfaces before you rely on it.
- Do I need commercial auto for my pressure washing rig?
- If the truck or trailer is used for work, yes; personal auto policies exclude business use. Reported commercial auto for pressure washing businesses averages about $2,116/year, per Insureon.
- What is a janitorial bond and do clients ask for it?
- It is a surety bond that reimburses a client for employee theft, and commercial cleaning contracts ask for it routinely. At about $126/year reported, per Insureon, it is usually the cheapest line on the program.