Window cleaner insurance
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Protect your business with public liability insurance for window cleaners. Whether you clean domestic properties, commercial buildings or multi-storey premises, the right cover can help support your business finances if an insured event leads to a claim.
Window cleaner insurance explained
Window cleaning businesses face a unique set of challenges. From working in high-stakes commercial settings and transporting specialist equipment to operating around members of the public, the risks involved can vary from job to job.
Window cleaner insurance brings together different types of cover that can help support your business finances if an insured event results in a claim.
Public liability insurance
Public liability insurance for window cleaners is a useful type of cover for businesses working in the industry. It can provide protection if a third party claims they have suffered injury or damage to their property because of your work.
Examples may include:
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A pedestrian tripping over a hose.
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A ladder damaging surrounding third-party property.
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Equipment falling and causing damage nearby.
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Injury claims arising from your business activities.
Window cleaning liability insurance does not cover damage to the item or surface being worked on. For example, damage to a window, glass panel, conservatory roof or solar panel being cleaned would not be covered.
Cover is available across all window cleaner insurance packages, up to £5 million.
Employers’ liability insurance
If you employ staff, employers' liability insurance may be required by law in certain circumstances. It can provide protection if an employee suffers an injury or illness connected to their work and brings a claim against the business.
Employers' liability insurance is available across all window cleaner insurance packages and can be added where required. Cover is available up to £10 million.
Professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity insurance can provide protection if a customer alleges your business caused them financial loss through professional advice or recommendations.
Professional indemnity cover is included within Classic and Plus policies.
Cover is available up to £100,000.
Tools cover
Cleaning businesses often rely on portable tools and equipment to carry out their work.
Cover can apply to handheld powered and non-powered portable tools, as well as laptops and tablets used for business purposes, subject to policy terms and conditions.
Tools cover starts at £1,000 and can be increased up to £15,000.
Temporary total disablement benefit
Available within Plus policies, Temporary Total Disablement Benefit can provide up to £600 per week if an insured person is unable to work due to a covered injury, subject to policy terms and conditions.
Why window cleaners should consider insurance
Window cleaners face a range of risks every day. Whether you're working from ladders, using water-fed pole systems or cleaning commercial properties, accidents can happen.
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A member of the public could trip over a hose.
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Equipment could fall and damage surrounding property.
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Tools could be stolen between jobs.
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If you employ staff, employee-related claims can also arise.
Public liability insurance for window cleaners can help protect your business from unforeseen costs if an insured event results in a claim. When selecting cover, you can also add protection for employees, tools, professional services and loss of income following certain injuries.
Whether you're cleaning residential properties, commercial premises or mixed-use developments, having the right insurance in place can help you keep your business moving.
Common risks faced by window cleaners
Window cleaners face a different set of challenges to many other trades. Working outdoors, travelling between customer sites and using specialist equipment can all create potential risks.
Here are some situations where window cleaner insurance may provide protection:
1. A customer trips over a hose
Water-fed pole systems have become a common sight across the industry. However, hoses running across pavements, driveways and access routes can create a trip hazard for members of the public.
Public liability insurance can help cover claims involving third-party injury, subject to policy terms and conditions.
2. Access equipment damages surrounding property
Ladders, poles and other access equipment are essential for many window cleaning jobs.
If equipment is accidentally dropped or falls against surrounding third-party property, public liability insurance may provide protection against claims for property damage.
Damage to the window, conservatory, glass panel, solar panel or surface being cleaned is not covered.
3. Theft of equipment between jobs
As a window cleaner, you’ll often need to carry valuable equipment in your vehicle.
Tools cover can help support replacement costs if insured tools or equipment are stolen from a locked vehicle, subject to policy terms and conditions.
4. Employee injury
If you employ staff, employers' liability insurance may provide protection if an employee suffers an injury and brings a claim against the business.
Up to £10 million of employer’s liability cover is available to add across our window cleaner insurance packages.
5. A customer alleges financial loss
A commercial customer may claim your work caused them financial loss.
Up to £100,000 of Third Party Financial Loss is included across all window cleaner insurance packages.
What window cleaner insurance can and can't cover
Understanding what is and isn't covered can help you decide which level of window cleaner insurance is suitable for your business.
What can be covered
✔ Public liability insurance up to £5 million
✔ Injury to third parties arising from your work
✔ Damage to third-party property
✔ Legal defence costs that may be covered under the policy following an insured claim
✔ Third Party Financial Loss cover up to £100,000
✔ Professional indemnity cover up to £100,000
✔ Tools cover from £1,000 up to £15,000
✔ Employers' liability insurance up to £10 million
✔ Temporary Total Disablement Benefit up to £600 per week
✔ Capital Death Benefit
What can’t be covered
✘ Damage to the window, glass, conservatory, solar panel or surface being cleaned
✘ Deliberate damage
✘ Wear and tear to tools and equipment
✘ Mechanical breakdown of equipment
✘ Work carried out before your policy start date
✘ Activities not declared within your policy
✘ Items or equipment not covered by your policy
Who is window cleaner insurance for?
We provide window cleaning business insurance for a wide range of work structures.
These include:
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Self-employed window cleaners
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Domestic window cleaners
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Commercial window cleaners
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Traditional window cleaners
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Water-fed pole operators
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Shopfront window cleaners
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Conservatory cleaners
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Partnerships
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Limited companies
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Limited liability partnerships
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Window cleaning businesses with employees
Cover is available for businesses with up to 15 employees and turnover up to £3 million. Multi-trade businesses may also be eligible for cover where cleaning services form part of their work.
Your window cleaner insurance cover options
Whether you're a sole trader cleaning local homes or a growing business servicing commercial contracts, We provide cover options designed for businesses with up to 15 employees.
Essentials
Our window cleaner's Essentials package includes Public Liability insurance and cover for Third Party Financial Loss.
✔ Public Liability insurance up to £5 million
✔ Third Party Financial Loss £100,000
✔ Employers' Liability insurance £10 million available
Ideal for: Self-employed window cleaners and businesses looking for core liability cover.
Classic
Our Classic package builds on the Essentials by offering Professional indemnity cover as well as Capital Death Benefit and Tools cover.
✔ Public Liability insurance up to £5 million
✔ Professional Indemnity cover £100,000
✔ Third Party Financial Loss £100,000
✔ Capital Death Benefit
✔ First £1,000 of Tools cover (can be increased to £15,000)
✔ Employers' Liability insurance £10 million available
Ideal for: Window cleaning businesses that want broader protection for equipment, tools and professional advice.
Also includes: Price Freeze (2 years, T&Cs apply)
Plus
Our most comprehensive option, the Plus package builds on the Classic by further adding Temporary Total Disablement Benefit, which can be increased based on your needs.
✔ Public Liability insurance up to £5 million
✔ Professional Indemnity cover £100,000
✔ Third Party Financial Loss £100,000
✔ Capital Death Benefit
✔ First £1,000 of Tools cover (can be increased to £15,000)
✔ Temporary Total Disablement Benefit up to £600 a week per person
✔ Employers' Liability insurance £10 million available
Ideal for: Sole traders and window cleaning businesses looking for comprehensive cover across multiple areas of their business.
Also includes: Price Freeze (2 years, T&Cs apply)
Optional extras for window cleaners
Some window cleaning businesses may require additional protection beyond their core policy.
Optional extras include:
Contract Works
Hired in Plant
Stock in Transit cover
Jury Service cover
Owned Plant
These covers are not included as standard and must be added to your policy if required.
Fixed Price, Fixed Peace of Mind
Lock in your insurance price for two full years with Trade Direct’s Price Freeze with our Classic and Plus policies.
Whether you're a builder, plumber, electrician or decorator, we know your work load can be unpredictable - your insurance price shouldn’t be.
How much window cleaner insurance do you need?
The amount of insurance you choose will depend on the type of work your business undertakes.
Factors that may affect your insurance requirements include:
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Whether you work alone or employ staff
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The value of your tools and equipment
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The types of properties you clean
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Whether you work on domestic or commercial contracts
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Any contractual insurance requirements
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Optional covers selected
How to get a window cleaning insurance quote
Getting a window cleaner’s insurance quote online is straightforward.
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Tell us about your business and the type of window cleaning work you carry out.
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Choose the level of cover that matches your business requirements.
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Review your quote and purchase your policy online.
You'll be able to access your policy documents online once cover is in place.
Cover begins from the date you select when purchasing your policy, not from the date a customer contract starts.
Window cleaner insurance FAQs
Related insurance for window cleaners
Van Insurance
For many window cleaners, the van is the hub of the business.
Whether you're travelling between domestic properties, retail units or commercial contracts, we provide comprehensive third-party, third-party only, and fire and theft cover options.
Tools Insurance
Water-fed pole systems, portable equipment and specialist tools can be essential to many window cleaning businesses.
Tools insurance can provide cover for insured tools and equipment up to £15,000, helping support replacement costs if covered items are lost, stolen or damaged.
Cleaning Insurance
Many window cleaning businesses also provide broader cleaning services for residential and commercial customers.
Trade Direct Insurance offers cleaning insurance designed for self-employed cleaners and businesses with up to 15 employees, including public liability insurance up to £5 million and a range of additional cover options.
Get your window cleaner insurance quote today
From residential rounds and shopfront cleaning to commercial contracts and high-reach work, we offer straightforward insurance designed for window cleaners and businesses.
With cover available for sole traders and businesses with up to 15 employees, you'll have access to straightforward insurance designed around the realities of working in the window cleaning industry.
✔ Underwritten by Zurich Insurance Company Ltd.
✔ Public liability insurance up to £5 million
✔ Tools cover up to £15,000
✔ Save 10% with B&Q TradePoint
✔ UK-based expert telephone support
✔ Fast online quote experience