Starting a cleaning or janitorial business in Florida? You're entering one of the fastest-growing service industries in the state. But before you land your first commercial contract or schedule that first residential clean, you need to understand Florida's insurance requirements. Here's the reality: while Florida doesn't require a state-level cleaning license, insurance is where things get serious—and expensive if you get it wrong.
Most cleaning business owners don't realize that insurance requirements in Florida come from three different places: state law, local ordinances, and your clients' contracts. Miss any one of these, and you could face fines, lose contracts, or worse—be personally liable for damages. This guide breaks down exactly what coverage you need, what it costs, and how to stay compliant in 2026.
Workers' Compensation: Florida's Four-Employee Rule
Let's start with the big one. Florida law requires workers' compensation insurance if you have four or more employees. This includes part-time workers, and depending on how you structure your business, it might include subcontractors too. The penalties for not having coverage? Florida doesn't mess around. You can face stop-work orders that shut down your entire operation immediately, plus fines of up to $1,000 per day for every day you operate without coverage.
Here's what makes this tricky for cleaning businesses: the cost varies dramatically depending on the type of work you do. Commercial janitorial services fall under classification code 9014, with rates around $2.43 per $100 of payroll. Residential cleaning falls under code 0917 at $3.31 per $100 of payroll. If you do both types of work, your carrier will split your payroll accordingly. And if you get caught operating without coverage, you might have to pay backdated premiums—potentially doubling what you would have paid if you'd been properly insured from day one.
Even if you're operating solo or with just one or two helpers, consider getting workers' comp anyway. Why? Because many commercial clients require it in their contracts regardless of your employee count. Landing a lucrative office building contract only to lose it because you don't have coverage is a hard lesson many cleaning business owners learn once.
General Liability Insurance: Your Client Contract Requirement
Florida doesn't require general liability insurance by state law, but here's the catch: your clients almost certainly will. General liability protects you when your business accidentally causes property damage or bodily injury to others. Think about what happens if your employee knocks over an expensive vase while dusting, or a building tenant slips on your freshly mopped floor. Without general liability coverage, you're paying for those damages out of pocket.
Most commercial contracts require minimum coverage of $1 million per occurrence, with $2 million aggregate. That means your policy will cover up to $1 million for any single incident, and up to $2 million total for all claims during the policy period. Some larger clients or property management companies might require even higher limits. The good news? General liability insurance is surprisingly affordable. Small cleaning businesses in Florida pay an average of about $768 per year, or roughly $64 per month.
Before you sign any commercial cleaning contract, read the insurance requirements section carefully. You'll need to provide a certificate of insurance proving your coverage. Your insurance agent can generate these certificates, usually within 24 hours. And if a client asks for additional insured status—meaning they want to be covered under your policy too—your carrier can typically add that endorsement for a small additional fee.
Additional Coverage: Bonds, Auto, and What Else You Might Need
Janitorial bonds are a different animal from insurance, and while Florida doesn't require them by law, they're becoming increasingly common in contracts—especially for government work. A janitorial bond (typically $10,000 to $25,000) protects your clients if one of your employees steals from them or damages their property intentionally. Think of it as a guarantee of your business's trustworthiness. Many private clients won't require bonding, but having it makes your business more marketable and can help you win contracts over competitors who aren't bonded.
Commercial auto insurance is mandatory if you use any vehicle for business purposes—and your personal auto policy specifically excludes commercial use. If you're driving your personal car to cleaning jobs and using it to transport equipment and supplies, you need commercial coverage. If one of your employees causes an accident while driving to a job site, your personal policy won't cover it. Commercial auto policies are priced based on the number of vehicles, their value, and how they're used. For a single vehicle used primarily for transporting equipment, expect to pay $1,200 to $2,500 annually.
Some cleaning businesses also consider umbrella insurance, which provides additional liability coverage above your general liability and auto insurance limits. If you're working in high-value properties or have significant business assets to protect, an umbrella policy (typically starting at $1 million in coverage) can provide extra peace of mind for a relatively modest cost.
Local Licensing and Business Tax Requirements
While Florida doesn't require a state-level cleaning license, most counties and cities do require a business tax receipt (BTR), formerly called an occupational license. This isn't technically insurance, but it's a compliance requirement that often comes up when clients vet your business. The cost varies wildly by location—anywhere from $40 in smaller counties to $1,500 in major metro areas. And if you operate across multiple jurisdictions, you might need separate BTRs for each.
In Miami-Dade County, you need an occupational license from the county, plus a separate BTR from your city if you're based in an incorporated municipality. In Tampa, you need both a city and a Hillsborough County BTR. Jacksonville requires a single business tax receipt from the city. Before you start operating, check with your local county clerk's office or city business licensing department to understand exactly what's required where you plan to work.
You'll also need a Florida sales tax permit from the Department of Revenue if you have any commercial clients. Residential cleaning is exempt from sales tax in Florida, but commercial cleaning is not. Registering online is free; registering by mail costs $5. This isn't optional—operating without proper sales tax registration can result in penalties and back taxes with interest.
What It Actually Costs to Insure Your Cleaning Business
Budget for total insurance costs between $500 and $3,000 annually for a small cleaning business, depending on your revenue, number of employees, services offered, and claims history. Here's a realistic breakdown: General liability runs about $768 per year. Workers' compensation depends entirely on your payroll—if you have three employees each making $30,000 annually ($90,000 total payroll), and you're classified under code 9014, you're looking at roughly $2,187 per year. Add commercial auto insurance for one vehicle at around $1,500, and you're at $4,455 annually.
These costs scale with your business. A solo residential cleaner with no employees might only need general liability at $768 per year. A commercial janitorial company with ten employees and multiple vehicles could easily spend $10,000 to $15,000 annually on insurance. The key is matching your coverage to your actual risk exposure and contract requirements, not just buying the minimum possible coverage.
Getting Started: Your Next Steps
Start by registering your business with the Florida Department of State through Sunbiz.org. Then contact your county clerk's office to understand local business tax receipt requirements. Once you know where you'll be operating, reach out to insurance agents who specialize in commercial cleaning coverage—they'll help you navigate classification codes, understand your actual coverage needs based on your business model, and find competitive rates.
Don't wait until you land your first big contract to get insurance in place. Many contracts require proof of insurance before you can even submit a bid. Having your coverage lined up from day one means you're ready to compete for any opportunity that comes your way. And remember: the cheapest insurance isn't always the best value. Work with an agent who understands the cleaning industry and can help you avoid coverage gaps that could sink your business if something goes wrong.
