Cleaners Insurance NZ

Affordable insurance for cleaning businesses in New Zealand. Protect your business from liability claims, equipment damage, and more.

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Do I Need Insurance as a Cleaner?

Whether you clean homes on weekends or run a commercial cleaning team, insurance protects you from costs that could otherwise cripple your business. A single liability claim for property damage or personal injury can easily exceed $10,000 — far more than most small cleaning businesses can absorb.

Domestic Cleaners

If you clean private homes — even casually or part-time — you are working in spaces filled with valuable personal property. Accidents happen: a knocked vase, a chemical reaction on marble benchtops, or a client tripping over your vacuum cord. Without insurance, you pay out of pocket.

While there is no legal requirement to hold insurance as a domestic cleaner in NZ, many clients now ask for proof of cover before handing over their house keys.

Commercial Cleaners

Commercial cleaning contracts — offices, retail, hospitality, medical facilities — almost always require proof of public liability insurance. Without it, you simply cannot tender for most contracts.

The risks are also greater: expensive office equipment, server rooms, medical-grade surfaces, and higher foot traffic all increase your exposure. Commercial cleaners typically need higher cover limits ($2M-$5M) compared to domestic cleaners.

ACC Does Not Cover Property Damage

ACC covers personal injuries in New Zealand, but it does not cover damage you cause to a client's property, loss of income from a liability claim, or your legal defence costs. You need separate business insurance for these risks.

Types of Cleaning Insurance

Different types of cover protect you against different risks. Here is what each policy does — and does not — cover.

Public Liability Insurance

Essential

The most important policy for any cleaner. Covers claims from third parties for bodily injury or property damage caused by your cleaning work.

What's Typically Covered

  • Damage to client property (flooring, furniture, fixtures)
  • Third-party injury (slips on wet floors, chemical exposure)
  • Legal defence costs and court-awarded compensation
  • Damage caused by cleaning chemicals or equipment
  • Accidental breakage of client belongings

What's Typically Not Covered

  • Damage to your own equipment or property
  • Faulty workmanship or poor cleaning results
  • Intentional damage or criminal acts
  • Employee injuries (covered by ACC)
  • Vehicle accidents (covered by motor insurance)
From $12/month Learn more about public liability →

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Recommended

Covers claims arising from your professional advice or service failures. Most relevant for commercial cleaners with service-level agreements or specialist cleaning companies.

What's Typically Covered

  • Breach of contractual cleaning standards
  • Incorrect advice on cleaning products or methods
  • Failure to deliver agreed services on time
  • Financial loss suffered by client due to your negligence
  • Legal costs for defending professional negligence claims

What's Typically Not Covered

  • Physical property damage (that's public liability)
  • Known pre-existing issues or disputes
  • Fraud, dishonesty, or criminal conduct
  • Fines or penalties imposed by regulators
  • Claims arising before the policy started
From $18/month Learn more about professional indemnity →

Equipment & Contents Insurance

Optional

Covers your cleaning equipment, tools, and supplies against theft, accidental damage, and breakdown. Particularly important if you carry expensive machinery such as carpet extractors, floor polishers, or pressure washers.

What's Typically Covered

  • Theft of equipment from your vehicle or premises
  • Accidental damage to cleaning machinery
  • Electrical or mechanical breakdown
  • Cleaning supplies and chemical stock
  • Portable equipment taken to job sites

What's Typically Not Covered

  • Normal wear and tear
  • Equipment left unsecured in an unlocked vehicle
  • Cosmetic damage that doesn't affect function
  • Items not listed or below the excess amount
  • Gradual deterioration or rust
From $8/month Learn more about equipment insurance →

Statutory Liability Insurance

Recommended

Covers fines, penalties, and legal defence costs if you are prosecuted for unintentional breaches of NZ legislation — such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 or the Employment Relations Act. Relevant for cleaning businesses with employees.

What's Typically Covered

  • Fines for unintentional health and safety breaches
  • Legal defence costs for statutory prosecutions
  • Employment-related penalties
  • Reparation payments ordered by courts

What's Typically Not Covered

  • Intentional or reckless breaches of law
  • Criminal conduct or fraud
  • Tax-related penalties
  • Fines that are legally uninsurable

How Much Does Cleaners Insurance Cost?

Indicative monthly premiums for different types of cleaning businesses. Your actual premium will depend on your specific circumstances.

Business Type Public Liability Professional Indemnity Equipment Typical Total
Domestic Sole Trader
Home cleaning, part-time or full-time
 From $12/mo Often not needed From $8/mo $20-50/mo
Commercial Team (2-10 staff)
Offices, retail, hospitality
 From $25/mo From $18/mo From $15/mo $60-150/mo
Specialist / Industrial
Carpet, window, pressure washing, hazmat
 From $35/mo From $25/mo From $20/mo $80-200/mo

All prices shown are indicative only and represent starting points. Your actual premium will be determined by your insurer based on a full assessment of your business.

What Affects Your Premium?

Insurers assess several factors when pricing your cleaning insurance. Understanding these can help you get the right cover at the best price.

Team Size

More employees means more exposure. A sole trader will pay less than a business with 10 staff, as each additional worker increases the chance of an incident.

Commercial vs Domestic

Commercial cleaning typically attracts higher premiums because the property values and foot traffic are greater. Cleaning a private home is generally lower risk than an office building or medical facility.

Chemicals & Methods

Using harsh chemicals, solvents, or pressure washing equipment increases your risk profile. Eco-friendly or low-chemical cleaning methods may result in lower premiums.

Annual Turnover

Higher revenue typically means more jobs and more exposure. Insurers use turnover as a proxy for the volume of work your business handles each year.

Claims History

A clean claims record will help keep your premiums down. Previous claims — especially multiple or large claims — will increase your costs and may affect what cover is available to you.

Cover Limits & Excess

Choosing a higher excess (the amount you pay per claim) lowers your premium. Similarly, $1M cover costs less than $5M. Balance affordability with adequate protection.

Who Needs Cleaners Insurance?

Whether you work alone or manage a team, if you clean for clients you face liability risks. Here are the types of cleaning businesses that benefit from insurance.

Domestic Cleaners

House cleaners, home cleaning services, and Airbnb/holiday rental turnovers. You work in private homes with valuable furnishings, electronics, and personal items.

Key cover: Public Liability

Commercial Cleaners

Office cleaning, retail stores, restaurants, and hospitality venues. Contracts often require proof of insurance with minimum $2M public liability.

Key cover: Public Liability + Professional Indemnity

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners

Specialist carpet cleaning, upholstery care, and stain removal. Higher risk of damage to expensive soft furnishings and flooring from chemicals and heat.

Key cover: Public Liability + Equipment

Window Cleaners

Residential and commercial window cleaning. Working at height adds risk, and scratched or broken glass can be expensive to replace.

Key cover: Public Liability + Equipment

End-of-Tenancy Cleaners

Bond clean or move-out cleaning. Property managers and landlords often require proof of insurance. Disputes over cleaning standards are common.

Key cover: Public Liability + Professional Indemnity

Industrial & Specialist Cleaners

Pressure washing, exterior building cleaning, post-construction clean-up, and hazardous material handling. Higher-risk work with heavier equipment and stronger chemicals.

Key cover: Public Liability + Statutory Liability + Equipment

Common Risks & Claims

Illustrative examples of common business risks. Amounts shown are hypothetical.

Property Damage

Cleaning chemical damaged expensive flooring. Public liability covered $18,000 in replacement costs.

Illustrative example: $18,000

Client Injury

Client slipped on wet floor during cleaning. Public liability covered $35,000 in medical and legal costs.

Illustrative example: $35,000

Equipment Theft

Cleaning equipment worth $4,000 stolen from vehicle. Equipment insurance provided full replacement.

Illustrative example: $4,000

Damage to Client Items

Accidentally broke expensive artwork while cleaning. Public liability covered $12,000 replacement value.

Illustrative example: $12,000

Why Cleaners Need Insurance

You Work in Others' Property

Every time you enter a client's home or office, you are surrounded by property that is not yours. One accident with a chemical, vacuum, or mop bucket can cause thousands of dollars in damage.

Win More Contracts

Commercial cleaning contracts almost always require proof of insurance before you can tender. Property managers, body corporates, and facilities companies will ask for a Certificate of Currency.

Affordable Protection

Cleaning insurance is one of the most affordable types of business insurance. A sole trader domestic cleaner can get essential public liability cover from around $12/month — a small cost compared to a potential five-figure claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about insurance for cleaners in New Zealand.

Is insurance compulsory for cleaners in New Zealand?
There is no legal requirement for cleaners in New Zealand to hold public liability or professional indemnity insurance. However, many commercial clients and property managers require proof of insurance before awarding cleaning contracts. ACC covers workplace injuries to employees, but it does not cover damage you cause to a client's property or third-party liability claims.
What does public liability insurance cover for cleaners?
Public liability insurance covers claims made against your cleaning business for bodily injury to third parties or damage to their property. For example, if you accidentally damage a client's flooring with the wrong chemical, or a visitor slips on a freshly mopped surface, public liability would typically respond. It covers legal defence costs and any compensation awarded, up to the policy limit.
How much public liability cover do I need as a cleaner?
Most domestic cleaners opt for $1 million in public liability cover, which is sufficient for home cleaning work. Commercial cleaners — especially those working in offices, retail, or industrial settings — typically need $2 million or more. Some large commercial contracts may require $5 million or $10 million in cover. Check your contract requirements before selecting a limit.
Does ACC cover me if I damage a client's property?
No. ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) covers personal injuries only — it does not cover damage to property, loss of income from a liability claim, or legal defence costs. If you accidentally damage a client's property or a third party is injured due to your work, you would need public liability insurance to cover those costs.
Can I get insurance if I'm a sole trader cleaner working part-time?
Yes. Many NZ insurers offer policies specifically designed for sole traders and part-time cleaners. Premiums are typically lower for part-time operators because the exposure is reduced. You can usually get public liability cover starting from around $12/month as a sole trader domestic cleaner.
What is the difference between public liability and professional indemnity for cleaners?
Public liability covers physical damage — such as breaking a client's vase, damaging flooring, or someone slipping on a wet surface. Professional indemnity covers financial loss caused by your professional advice or service failures — for example, if you recommended a cleaning product that caused long-term damage, or failed to meet contractual cleaning standards resulting in a client losing business. Most cleaners need public liability; professional indemnity is more relevant for commercial cleaning companies with service-level agreements.

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