Insurance for window cleaning and exterior building cleaners.

General liability, workers’ comp, auto, and equipment coverage for window cleaners and exterior building cleaners, from storefront routes to high-rise work on ropes, swing stages, and lifts.

What window cleaners usually carry

General liability, $1M / $2M
Workers’ comp
Commercial auto
Ladders, poles, and rigging
Umbrella

Watch for these in a window cleaning policy

Rope and swing stage workMany window cleaning policies are written for ground and low-rise work, and exclude anything above a set height. Rope descent, swing stage, and boom lift work each need to be declared.
Scratched glassScratch claims on new and tempered glass are common, and damage to the glass you are cleaning can be excluded as the property you are working on. Note existing scratches before you start.
Add-on servicesGutter cleaning, pressure washing, solar panel cleaning, and holiday lights are often separate classes. Many window cleaning policies exclude them unless they are listed.
Roof anchorsRope work hangs on the building’s anchors. If one fails, you are likely to be sued along with the owner, and your contract may make the anchors your problem. Read it before you tie off.

What building owners and property managers ask window cleaners for

Additional insuredThe building owner and the property manager, for ongoing operations.
Waiver of subrogationOn general liability and workers’ comp.
Primary and noncontributoryYour policy pays first for claims from work on their building.
UmbrellaHigh-rise and large commercial buildings often ask for one on top of your $1M limit.

Questions window cleaners ask

Straight answers.

The questions we hear most, answered plainly.

Does my policy cover high-rise window cleaning?

Only if it is written for it. Rope descent, swing stage, and lift work each need to be on the policy, and many low-rise policies exclude them.

Does my insurance cover a window I break?

Breaking a window you were not working on is property damage, usually covered. Damage to the pane you were cleaning can be excluded, so read that part of your policy.