An insured cleaning company carries insurance, mainly general liability and workers' compensation, that pays for accidental property damage or injuries caused by its work and for injuries to its own employees. A bonded cleaning company has a bond, usually a janitorial or fidelity bond, that responds to losses caused by dishonest acts of its employees, such as theft, subject to the bond's terms. Insurance covers accidents; a bond addresses dishonesty. Commercial buyers should require insurance from every vendor and value bonding as an added protection.
What "insured" usually means
The SBA describes several common business insurance types. For a cleaning company the most relevant are:
| Coverage | Protects against | Example |
|---|---|---|
| General liability | Third-party bodily injury and property damage caused by the company's operations | A cleaner knocks over and breaks a monitor, or a visitor slips on a freshly mopped floor |
| Workers' compensation | Injuries to the company's own employees on the job | A cleaner strains a back lifting a trash bin at your site |
| Commercial auto | Accidents involving business vehicles | A company van damages your gate |
| Umbrella or excess | Claims above primary policy limits | A large injury claim |
Workers' compensation matters more than buyers often realize. If an uninsured contractor's worker is injured on your premises, questions about who pays can come back to you.
What "bonded" usually means
A bond is a three-party arrangement among the cleaning company, a surety and the protected party. The SBA's surety bond resources explain the general structure. In cleaning, the common types are:
- Janitorial service bond: responds if an employee of the cleaning company steals from a client, typically after the claim is proven, often by conviction or other evidence the bond requires
- Fidelity or employee dishonesty coverage: similar protection, sometimes structured as insurance
Bonds have conditions. Coverage limits can be modest, and proof requirements can be strict. Ask what the bond covers, its limit and what a claim requires.
Bonded vs insured at a glance
| Insured | Bonded | |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Accidents and injuries | Dishonest acts by employees |
| Who it mainly protects | Third parties, clients, the company's workers | Clients |
| Typical requirement | Almost always required by commercial clients | Valued, sometimes required |
| Proof for claim | Accident and damages | Often proof of dishonest act |
Neither replaces good practices
Insurance and bonds pay after something goes wrong. Prevention matters more:
- Background checks for everyone with access. See janitorial background checks
- Assigned staff rather than rotating crews
- Logged keys and codes with lock-up verification. See vendor key and access control
- Supervision that checks behavior as well as cleaning
How to verify
- Request a certificate of insurance (COI) directly from the vendor or its agent. Check the named insured, policy dates, coverage types and limits.
- Ask to be named as additional insured if your lease or policy requires it.
- Request bond details in writing: type, surety, limit and claim conditions.
- Recheck at renewal. Policies lapse.
- Call the agent listed on the certificate if anything looks wrong.
The NAIC's consumer resources explain insurance basics if you want more background.
What to put in your contract
- Required coverage types and minimum limits
- Additional insured wording
- Certificates at signing and each renewal
- Notice if coverage is cancelled
- Bond details if the vendor represents itself as bonded
See janitorial contract terms.
Red flags
- "We're covered" with no certificate
- A certificate that names a different company
- Expired policy dates
- No workers' compensation
- "Bonded" claimed with no bond details
Northmark
Northmark Facility Services is insured and bonded, and certificates are available on request. Every team member is background-checked before receiving building access. See insured and bonded and background-checked staff.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to hire a bonded or an insured cleaning company?
Ideally both. Insurance is essential for any commercial vendor. Bonding adds protection against employee dishonesty.
Does a bond cover accidental damage?
Generally no. Accidental damage is a general liability insurance matter. Bonds focus on dishonest acts.
How do I check if a cleaning company is insured?
Request a certificate of insurance and confirm the named insured, dates, coverage types and limits. Call the agent if unsure.
Does workers' compensation protect my business?
It covers the vendor's injured employees, which helps keep those claims from falling on you or your insurance.
Sources
Published · Updated · Northmark Facility Services.