Pressure washing insurance can protect your business financially from costly situations. These can include damage to customers’ property, slippery hazards and employee injuries.
Pressure washers should have at least:
- General liability insurance. This pays for accidental injuries or property damage to people outside your business. It also pays for advertising injury and legal costs relating to any of the above.
- Commercial auto insurance. Covers the vehicles you use for business if they’re in an accident, plus any damage or injuries to others caused while driving for work.
- Tools and equipment insurance. Covers your pressure washer, hoses, surface cleaners and trailer when they're in transit, on a job site or stored away from your business address.
- Workers' compensation insurance. Pays for medical bills and lost wages if an employee gets hurt on the job. Nearly every state requires it once you have employees.
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The best insurers for pressure washing businesses
NerdWallet’s editorial team chooses the best business insurance based on:
- Relative number of complaints to state insurance regulators.
- How financially strong insurers are, which indicates their ability to pay claims.
- How easy it is to get a quote and buy a policy online.
We scoured our picks for those that serve exterior cleaning companies or offer features pressure washing businesses might find valuable. Here are some of the top companies. It’s smart to get multiple quotes to find the best coverage at the best price.
Erie Insurance
Best for: Working with an agent
If you want to talk to an agent, consider one that sells Erie. It’s a financially strong company with customized contractor policies. Multiple commenters in the Pressure Washing Resource community recommend Erie for cost-effective policies without care, custody, or control (CCC) exclusions. (Here’s more about CCC exclusions.)
Unfortunately, Erie is available in only 12 states, plus Washington, D.C. And it doesn’t cover California, Florida or Texas, the three biggest states for pressure washing businesses, according to an analysis from research firm IBISWorld.
States where Erie operates
Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Washington, D.C.
Ergo Next
Best for: Buying coverage online
You can get a quote and buy a policy from Ergo Next online in minutes. That makes it a quick and easy choice. You can also get your certificate of insurance (COI) online the same day. It’s a solid option if you have a contract that requires proof of coverage ASAP. Speed can come with costs, though. Complaints about Ergo Next are high given its market share.
Ergo Next has insurance packages for pressure washing businesses at three different coverage levels. Each bundles general liability, tools and equipment, commercial auto and property insurance. Limits vary by tier. Tools and equipment coverage goes from $3,000 to $5,000 to $10,000, for instance.
Note: This company was previously known as Next Insurance. It was rebranded in July 2025 after an acquisition. Read our review of Ergo Next.
Executive Choice Insurance Solutions
Best for: PWNA members
Executive Choice Insurance Solutions is an agency, not an insurer. That means it doesn’t underwrite policies. (And NerdWallet doesn't give it a star rating as a result.) If you buy from an Executive Choice agent, you’ll want to ask them what company will provide your policy — and vet it accordingly.
Executive Choice stands out for its partnership with the Power Washers of North America association. PWNA members get a custom policy and discount with Executive Choice. If you’re already a member, it’s worth seeing how that discount stacks up versus other quotes. If you aren’t, consider the cost to join and if you’ll come out ahead. The cheapest option is $350.
Thimble
Best for: Seasonal coverage
Thimble is another agency. But unlike Executive Choice, it sells policies online. You can compare insurance options and quotes from multiple providers for pressure washing insurance on Thimble’s site, then potentially buy a policy in minutes. Markel and National Specialty Insurance Company underwrite Thimble’s general liability policies.
Thimble specializes in shorter-term policies. That means it can make sense for side gigs or seasonal businesses that shut down in the winter. You can get a policy by the hour, day, month or year. Read our review of Thimble.
What is pressure washing insurance?
Pressure washing insurance includes several different kinds of coverage that protect pressure washing businesses from financial liability. Scenarios and claims pressure washing business insurance can cover include:
- Liability for broken glass on a client’s property due to flying debris from the water.
- Customers tripping over pressure washer equipment or hoses.
- Data breaches that compromise data or customers’ private information.
- Employees getting back injuries or slipping and falling on the job.
- Water that gets behind siding or under a roof and causes rot or mold.
- Chemicals that leak and ruin a customer’s landscaping.
- Someone stealing or damaging your pressure washer, hoses or other equipment.
If you run a pressure washing business full time or just on the side, business insurance is a smart move. It can protect you from the financial effects of claims like these that would otherwise be your responsibility to pay.
What should pressure washers look out for in an insurance policy?
It's worth reading the fine print of any policy before you sign, as insurers routinely limit and exclude common risks. But pressure washer businesses should be especially aware of these coverage holes to avoid being caught by surprise.
- Damage to the surface you're cleaning. General liability typically excludes damage to property in your "care, custody or control," and your work itself. That includes if you accidentally etch concrete or strip paint, for instance. Before you buy a policy, ask the insurer if it has customer property protection. If not, make sure you can add a "your work" endorsement.
- Height restrictions. Some policies cover only ground-level work and exclude jobs done from a ladder, lift or scaffold. If you work at heights — cleaning gutters, for instance — ask whether elevated work is covered and up to what height.
- Roof cleaning exclusions. Roof work could be excluded or require a separate endorsement. If you do roof cleaning, ask for the add-on.
- Chemical runoff and pollution. General liability insurance typically has a pollution exclusion. It may not cover soft-wash chemicals that flow into a storm drain, for example. Consider a contractors’ pollution liability endorsement if you use chemicals.
- Subcontractors. Some general liability policies exclude work performed by subcontractors unless they're added as additional insureds. If you subcontract, check how easy it is to list additional insureds (and how much it costs to do so) when you shop.
What insurance policies do pressure washers need?
At minimum, pressure washers need general liability insurance. Most will also need commercial auto and other coverages.
General liability insurance
General liability insurance pays out claims against your business for third-party bodily injury, property damage or personal and advertising injury. For example, those coverages could look like:
- Bodily injury. A customer or their neighbor trips over your hose and requires medical attention.
- Property damage. Your wheeled air compressor’s brake fails and it glides down a hill, slamming into a car and denting its door.
- Personal and advertising injury. Libel and slander, such as making a statement about a competitor that costs them business.
General liability insurance doesn’t pay for injury to you or your employees, nor does it pay for damage to your own property. It also doesn’t cover any damage caused by your work itself, such as siding that breaks off when washed.
If you work out of your home, you might be able to add a liability endorsement to your homeowners policy rather than buying a separate general liability policy.
Commercial auto insurance
This covers vehicles you use for business and any damage or injuries you cause using it for work. Your personal auto insurance may not cover business use of your car or truck.
For example, if you cause a minor wreck on your way to a job site, commercial auto insurance would cover damage to your vehicle. It would also cover injuries to the other driver and any damage to their car.
Tools and equipment coverage
This insurance covers gear like your pressure washer, hoses, wands, surface cleaners, soft-wash setup and ladders. Coverage applies whether the gear is at a job site, locked in your trailer overnight, in transit between jobs or stored at your home. It may require the tools be less than 5 years old.
Commercial property insurance provides some coverage, but typically only at a fixed business address. You may be able to add a tools and equipment policy to a business owner’s policy or commercial property policy.
Say someone breaks into your trailer overnight and walks off with your hot-water unit and a surface cleaner. Tools and equipment insurance would help pay to replace the equipment, up to your policy limit.
Workers’ compensation insurance
Workers’ comp pays out to employees who are injured or get sick at work. It covers medical bills, therapeutic costs and a portion of lost income.
Most states require workers' comp insurance if you have employees. Independent contractors may count. Find your state’s rules here. But getting coverage can be a good idea for sole proprietors too. Health insurance may decline medical bills from job-related injuries or illness.
For example, say your pressure washer falls off your truck and onto your foot. It breaks a bone and leaves you unable to work. Workers’ comp covers the medical bills, physical therapy bills and a portion of your lost income while you recover.
Other types of business insurance for power washers
Here’s a list of common types of pressure washing insurance that pressure washing businesses might need — and what those policies typically cover.
| Type of insurance | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Pays for damage to your business building and the items in it due to natural disasters, fire, smoke or vandalism. Typically, earthquakes and flooding are excluded. For example, a tornado destroying your warehouse would be covered under commercial property insurance. | |
| Covers lost income and other expenses when your business is unable to operate due to a covered property disaster. Commercial property insurance often includes it. For example, business interruption insurance covers lost income if you temporarily close due to the damage from the tornado. | |
| BOPs usually consist of general liability, commercial property and business interruption insurance. But insurers often let you customize these policies to meet your business’s needs. If you have a commercial location, opt for a BOP. It will likely be more cost-effective than buying general liability and commercial property coverage on their own. | |
| Covers mistakes, negligence, inadequate work, inaccuracies, misrepresentation or similar allegations. For example, if you cause water to seep into someone’s insulation, causing mold damage, this would pay. | |
| Employee dishonesty coverage | Pays for employee theft of money or property. This can be part of a larger commercial insurance policy and could cover you if an employee takes something from a job site, for example. |
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How much does pressure washing insurance cost?
Pressure washing businesses pay a median of $75 per month for general liability insurance, according to online marketplace Insureon. It puts monthly workers' comp premiums at $133.
How much you’ll actually pay will depend on multiple factors, like:
- Your business size.
- Location.
- Revenue.
- Number of employees.
- The types of services you provide.
Getting multiple quotes is the best way to price out your business insurance costs.
How to shop for pressure washing insurance
Follow these steps to compare multiple insurance quotes. That way you’ll have seen a number of policy options and can choose the best.
1. Review your business risks to decide on policies
Think about the types of lawsuits, mistakes, accidents or natural disasters that are most likely to affect your business.
From there, list the policies you need for those risks and what’s required for your business. For example, if you have employees you’ll need workers’ comp. If your business owns a vehicle you’ll need commercial auto. If you have a contract, it may define set coverage minimums as well.
Decide if you want to insure your equipment in case it’s stolen, breaks or is destroyed in a car accident. This could be three different policies.
2. Prepare documentation and details
For each policy your business needs, a provider will need certain information to calculate an accurate quote. For instance:
- For workers’ comp, you’ll need payroll and employee roles.
- For commercial auto, you’ll need VINs and registration information like make, model and year.
- For commercial property insurance, you’ll want your rental agreement or deed, and so on.
Don’t forget your personal details. You’ll need licensing info handy, as well as your Social Security number if you’re a sole proprietor. If you have employees, you’ll need your federal employer identification number.
3. Figure out how you want to shop
To get the right business insurance, you have a few options.
Contact the insurers directly. You can purchase pressure washing business insurance right from an insurer. That means contacting companies one by one to get quotes. It’s best if you know the insurers you want to shop from already.
Visit an online marketplace. Business insurance marketplaces such as Coverdash or Simply Business can streamline the shopping process. You provide information about yourself, your business and the coverage you want. Then you get quotes from various insurers and compare them to find the best deal.
Hire an agent or broker. An insurance broker can offer personalized assistance. You’ll discuss your needs, and then the broker gets multiple quotes for you from different insurers. Agents and brokers can help you figure out exactly what coverage you need. But because they typically work on commission, it’s possible they’ll try to sell you things you don’t need.
4. Compare the providers
Get multiple quotes from different providers before making a decision. When comparing providers, consider things such as:
- Policy coverage. What exactly does the policy cover? What isn’t covered?
- Limits of liability. How much of a loss will the insurer cover? You may need a higher limit if you operate a larger or riskier business.
- Price. Evaluate how much each policy will cost. If there is a deductible, how much is it? Are the coverage and liability limits the same for the policies you’re comparing?
- Reviews. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners website shows how many complaints people have filed against a company. Also, read ratings and reviews of each insurance provider before purchasing a policy.
5. Buy your policies and schedule recurring reviews
After you purchase your policies, check when your payments are due and how to manage your coverage. Consider using autopay to avoid unexpected coverage lapses. Log on to your provider’s portal and find out where you file a claim, add endorsements or get a certificate of insurance.
Reevaluate your business insurance coverage annually or when major changes occur in your business. When your policies are up for renewal, think about how you like the coverage, costs and customer service you’re getting, as well as any new risks you face. That way you’ll always be sure you have the right coverage for your business.
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- 1. IBISWorld. Pressure Washing Services in the US - Number of Businesses. Accessed Jun 16, 2026.
