Hiring a cleaner
Should a cleaning company be bonded and insured?
Yes — and the two words are not interchangeable, which is worth knowing because plenty of providers use them as if they were.
Hygiene Maids of Fort Worth5 min readUpdated
They cover two different things
Bonding protects specifically against theft by a worker in your property. If something goes missing and a cleaner is responsible, a bond is the mechanism that makes you whole. It is not insurance in the ordinary sense — it is closer to a guarantee that the company stands behind its people.
Liability insurance covers accidental damage and injury. A dropped lamp, a scratched floor, a cracked shower door — that is a liability claim. It also covers injury to a worker in your home, which is the part most homeowners never think about and which can be the largest exposure of all.
A company can have one without the other. Ask about both by name rather than accepting "we're covered."
What each one does
| Point of comparison | Bonding | Liability insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | Theft by a worker in your property. | Accidental property damage and injury. |
| Typical claim | Jewelry or cash missing after a visit. | A broken fixture, a damaged floor finish, a cleaner injured on site. |
| Who it protects | You, against dishonesty. | You, against accidents — and the company against liability. |
| How to verify | Ask for documentation naming the company. | Ask for a certificate of insurance; some landlords require being named on it. |
| Also relevant | Background checks, which reduce the risk in the first place. | Workers' compensation coverage, depending on the arrangement. |
When it matters most
- When you are not home. Which, for most recurring customers, is every visit.
- When a building requires it. Many apartment and condo buildings will not admit a vendor without a certificate of insurance on file.
- When a landlord or HOA is involved. Documentation may be a condition of access.
- For commercial work. Almost universally required, and often with the landlord or franchisor named on the certificate.
- For anything involving keys or codes. If a provider holds access to your property, this stops being a technicality.
What to ask for, exactly
"Are you bonded, and are you covered by general liability insurance? Can you send me documentation for both?"
A provider who is properly covered will send it without hesitation. One who is not will explain why it is not necessary — which is your answer.
Hygiene Maids of Fort Worth is bonded and insured, and cleaners are vetted and background-checked before a first visit. Documentation can be provided to a homeowner, HOA, landlord, building manager or franchisor on request.
Questions
Common questions
- Does my homeowners insurance cover a cleaner?
- Not reliably, and not in the way people assume. Damage caused by a contractor is generally the contractor's liability, and an injury to an uninsured worker in your home can become your exposure. Do not rely on your own policy as a substitute for asking.
- Is an independent cleaner likely to be insured?
- Some are, many are not. It is not a reason to avoid independents — plenty are excellent — but it is a reason to ask directly rather than assume.
- What is a certificate of insurance?
- A one-page document from an insurer confirming a policy exists, what it covers and for how much. Landlords and building managers often ask to be named on it before admitting a vendor.
- Does bonding mean cleaners are background-checked?
- Not automatically. They are separate things — bonding is a financial protection, background checks are a screening process. Ask about both.
Bonded, insured and background-checked
Documentation available on request for homeowners, HOAs, landlords, building managers and franchisors.