Cleaning Service Insurance & Liability in Ontario
A professional cleaning service in Ontario should carry commercial general liability (CGL) insurance. Here's what that means, what it covers, and how to verify a service is actually insured before they enter your home.
What Commercial General Liability Insurance Covers
CGL insurance covers third-party property damage or bodily injury caused by the insured during the course of their work. In the cleaning context, this primarily means: a cleaner drops and breaks a fixture, damages a floor, breaks a window, or otherwise causes property damage during a cleaning visit. A CGL policy would cover the cost of repair or replacement up to the policy limit.
What CGL Insurance Does NOT Cover
- Theft by the cleaner: CGL covers accidental damage, not intentional theft. A separate fidelity bond or crime policy is needed for theft coverage, which few small cleaning companies carry.
- Worker injuries: If a cleaning worker is injured in your home, their own WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) coverage in Ontario handles this, not your homeowner's insurance. You want to confirm the cleaning service is registered with WSIB — if they're not, you could have liability for a worker injured on your property.
- Pre-existing damage: Damage that existed before the cleaner arrived is not covered by their insurance. Document any pre-existing damage before a cleaning service arrives if you're concerned about liability disputes.
WSIB Registration in Ontario
Unlike BC (where WorkSafeBC registration is common), Ontario's WSIB registration is mandatory for employers but complex for self-employed individuals in cleaning. A cleaning company that employs workers should be registered with WSIB. A sole-proprietor cleaner may or may not be required to register depending on circumstances. Ask any cleaning company about their WSIB status before hiring.
How to Verify Coverage
Ask the cleaning company for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) showing their CGL policy. A legitimate certificate includes: the insurer's name, the policy number, the policy period, the coverage amount (typically $2M or more for professional services), and the named insured (the cleaning company). Verify the policy period is current and the coverage amount is meaningful ($500K is not enough for property in Ontario's current market).
What Maidless Carries
Maidless carries commercial general liability insurance for all operations in Ontario. We can provide a COI on request for condo corporations and property managers that require it. All Maidless cleaners are employed workers — WSIB registered throughout Ontario operations.