Hiscox vs. Next Insurance vs. Simply Business: Best Cleaning Business Insurance
One spilled bucket or scratched floor can end a cleaning business that took years to build. But overpaying for the wrong policy wastes money you need for new equipment or hiring staff. This breakdown cuts through the marketing copy so you know exactly which insurer fits your residential, Airbnb turnover, or commercial cleaning operation.
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The quick answer
Next Insurance is the fastest option for straightforward cleaning services — you can get proof of insurance (Certificate of Insurance or COI) in under 10 minutes, perfect for last-minute client requests. Hiscox wins for professional services, consultants, and anyone who needs errors and omissions (E&O) coverage bundled cleanly, but this is rarely needed for standard cleaning. Simply Business is a comparison marketplace, not a direct insurer — use it when you want to see multiple quotes side by side, especially if you need commercial auto for your cleaning van or workers' comp for your team.
Side-by-side breakdown
Next Insurance: Online-only, instant quotes, General Liability (GL) for a solo cleaner often starts around $25/month. No phone sales required, COI downloadable immediately. Best for: Residential house cleaners, Airbnb turnover specialists, small commercial cleaning crews, and those who need to add clients as 'additional insureds' often.
Hiscox: Specialist small business insurer, strong E&O and professional liability products, monthly payment options, coverage in 180+ professions, slightly slower quote process. Best for: If your 'cleaning business' also offers consulting on sanitation protocols or deep cleaning methodologies (rare for most), but generally not the primary choice for physical cleaning liability.
Simply Business: Broker marketplace, not a direct insurer. Gets you quotes from multiple carriers including Markel, Travelers, and others. Useful for comparing apples to apples. Best for: Any cleaning business not sure which carrier to choose, or those needing more than just GL, like commercial auto insurance for a fleet of cleaning vehicles, or workers' compensation for their growing team.
When to choose Next Insurance
Choose Next when you need cleaning business coverage fast. If a new residential client, property manager, or Airbnb host asks for proof of insurance before you start, Next can provide a COI instantly. It's ideal if you work in hands-on cleaning services and want to manage everything online without talking to an agent. Next is also strong if you need to add 'additional insureds' frequently — clients who require proof of coverage before you can work for them. The app makes that painless, which is common for property managers and landlords.
When to choose Hiscox
Choose Hiscox when your work involves advice, professional judgment, or deliverables that could be disputed. For a standard cleaning business, general liability covers you if you accidentally damage a client's property (e.g., scratch a floor, break a vase) or if someone slips on a wet spot you left. It does NOT cover you if a client claims your 'cleaning advice' or 'sanitation consulting' cost them money — that is E&O territory. Most pure cleaning businesses will not need E&O, making Hiscox less of a fit compared to Next for core cleaning services.
When to use Simply Business
Use Simply Business when you are not sure what type of cleaning insurance you need beyond basic general liability, or when your situation is complex. This includes needing commercial auto insurance for your cleaning vans, workers' compensation for your W2 employees, or specialized equipment coverage for high-value items like industrial carpet cleaners or pressure washers that you transport to job sites. Simply Business compares carriers so you are not locked into one company's pricing for your full cleaning operation's insurance needs.
The verdict
Residential house cleaners, Airbnb turnover specialists, and small commercial cleaning crews: start with Next Insurance for speed and straightforward general liability. Unless you offer professional advice beyond physical cleaning services (e.g., sanitation consulting), Hiscox isn't your first stop. For undecided needs, or complex requirements like commercial auto for your cleaning fleet, workers' comp for your growing team, or specialized equipment coverage, run Simply Business first to see the market. Do not skip this step — operating your cleaning business without liability coverage is the single fastest way to lose everything you have built from one incident like a spilled cleaning solution or a damaged appliance.
How to get started
1. Identify your primary coverage need: For most cleaning businesses, this is general liability to cover property damage or client injuries. Consider professional liability only if you offer advice or consulting services. 2. Get a quote from your leading candidate: Next Insurance is usually the best first stop for core cleaning services. 3. If the quote feels high, or if you need commercial auto, workers' comp, or specialized equipment coverage, run Simply Business to compare multiple options tailored for cleaning operations. 4. Purchase your cleaning business insurance *before* you serve your first paying customer. 5. Download your certificate of insurance (COI) and save it somewhere you can find it in 30 seconds – many clients, especially property managers and Airbnb hosts, will ask for it.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS
Next Insurance
Instant online quotes — coverage in minutes
Hiscox
Best for professional services and E&O coverage
Simply Business
Compare multiple carriers side by side
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need business insurance if I am an LLC?
Yes. An LLC protects your personal assets from business debts, but it does not protect you from liability claims arising from your work. If a client sues you, the LLC limits personal exposure but the business itself still needs insurance to cover legal costs and settlements.
What is the difference between general liability and professional liability?
General liability covers bodily injury and property damage — someone trips and falls at your event, for example. Professional liability (E&O) covers claims that your work, advice, or service caused financial harm to a client. Most service businesses need both.
How much does small business insurance cost?
General liability for a low-risk service business typically starts at $25-50/month. Professional liability adds $30-80/month depending on your profession and revenue. Bundled policies (BOP) can be more cost-effective for businesses with physical locations.
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