Pressure washing damage claims are easy to picture: etched windows, siding blown loose, stripped paint, or chemical runoff that kills a client's plants. General liability covers that damage, and most commercial clients want to see it before you start.
Your rig is the other big exposure. A trailer-mounted unit and surface cleaners can be worth more than the truck that pulls them, so tools and equipment cover and commercial auto usually come next.
What insurance do pressure washing businesses need?
Here is how each type of pressure washing insurance fits a typical pressure washing business, from what clients and states usually require to what depends on how you work.
General liability
Usually requiredEtched glass, stripped paint, and slips. Pays for injuries and property damage you cause to other people.
About $73 a month for pressure washing businessesTools & equipment
Usually requiredPressure washers and surface cleaners. Replaces tools and gear that get stolen, lost, or damaged.
Commercial auto
Most carry itTrucks and trailer rigs. Covers trucks and vans you use for work, and the damage they cause.
About $262 a month for pressure washing businessesWorkers comp
Depends on your setupOnce you hire help. Pays medical bills and lost wages when an employee gets hurt on the job.
About $147 a month for pressure washing businessesBusiness owners policy
Depends on your setupIf you run a shop. General liability and business property bundled together, usually for less.
About $142 a month for pressure washing businessesLicense & surety bonds
Depends on your setupWhere your city requires one. A guarantee to your customer or the state that you will follow the rules and finish the work.
How much does pressure washing insurance cost?
The typical pressure washing business pays about $73 a month, or $879 a year, for general liability, based on published customer data. Your price moves with your services, revenue, crew size, claims history, state, and the limits you choose.
| Policy | Typical monthly | Typical yearly |
|---|---|---|
| General liability | $73 | $879 |
| Business owners policy | $142 | $1,704 |
| Workers compensation | $147 | $1,764 |
| Commercial auto | $262 | $3,144 |
Source: Insureon cost data for this trade. Yearly figures without a published annual number are the monthly figure times twelve. These are typical figures, not quotes.
Want a number for your setup? Try the contractor insurance cost calculator, or see ways to get cheap contractor insurance.
Common pressure washing insurance claims
- Surface damageToo much pressure can etch glass, strip paint, or damage siding and wood.
- Slippery surfacesWet driveways and walkways create slip hazards for clients and passers-by.
- Chemical runoffSoft wash chemicals can damage plants and property. Some policies limit pollution claims, so ask.
- Rig theft or damageTrailers and machines are expensive targets. Tools and equipment cover replaces them.
Pressure washing license and bond requirements
Most states do not license pressure washing, though some cities require a business license. Wastewater runoff can fall under local and Clean Water Act rules, so check how your area handles wash water.
Confirm before you rely on this. Licensing and insurance rules change, and cities can add their own. Check with your state licensing board and a licensed agent before you bid.