What Insurance Do You Need For a Pressure Washing Business?

General liability insurance covers third-party property damage and bodily injury claims from your pressure washing operations. High-pressure water can shatter windows, damage siding, erode mortar or injure bystanders on job sites. We recommend $1 million to $2 million per occurrence or $2 million to $3 million aggregate for most pressure washing businesses, with higher limits for commercial property work.

Real-Life Coverage Scenario: While pressure washing a two-story home, an employee accidentally directed the high-pressure stream at a window, shattering it and causing $4,200 in water damage to custom interior furnishings. The force also damaged $2,800 in siding requiring replacement. Without coverage, the business faced $7,000 in property damage plus legal fees. General liability covered all repair costs.

Required by law in most states once you hire your first employee. Workers' compensation pays medical costs and lost wages for work-related injuries common in pressure washing: chemical burns from cleaning solutions, slip-and-fall accidents on wet surfaces, back injuries from handling equipment or eye injuries from high-pressure debris.

Real-Life Coverage Scenario: An employee slipped on a wet surface while pressure washing a restaurant parking lot, fracturing his wrist and elbow on concrete. Emergency treatment, surgery, eight weeks of physical therapy and specialist visits totaled $34,000 in medical bills. He missed 10 weeks of work, losing $8,500 in wages. Workers' comp covered all $42,500, protecting the employee's recovery and shielding the business from a lawsuit.

A $1 million combined single limit (CSL) with comprehensive and collision coverage satisfies state requirements for transporting pressure washing equipment. This covers damage to your vehicle, equipment inside and damage you cause to others. You’re required to have commercial auto insurance in 49 states for business-owned vehicles because personal auto policies don't cover commercial use.

Real-Life Coverage Scenario: A work truck carrying a $3,500 pressure washer, $1,200 in hoses and surface cleaners and $800 in chemicals was rear-ended at a stoplight. The collision caused $12,000 in truck damage, destroyed $5,500 in equipment and resulted in $28,000 in medical bills for the other driver plus $6,000 in vehicle damage. Total exposure: $51,500. Commercial auto covered everything except the $1,000 deductible.

Professional liability insurance covers incidents like using incorrect pressure settings that damage surfaces, failing to rinse chemicals properly or inadequate cleaning leading to mold growth. We recommend $1 million per claim or $1 million aggregate for most pressure washing companies.

Real-Life Coverage Scenario: A client claimed the pressure washing crew used excessive pressure on their historic brick building, causing mortar deterioration and water intrusion that led to $45,000 in interior damage and $12,000 in masonry repairs. The client sued for negligent service. Professional liability covered the $32,000 settlement, $18,000 in legal defense and $7,000 in expert witness fees—$57,000 in total protection.

Tools and equipment insurance (inland marine insurance) covers your pressure washing gear when it breaks down, gets stolen or suffers damage on job sites or in transit. This includes pressure washers, surface cleaners, hoses, nozzles, chemical injectors and water tanks. Most pressure washing businesses need $15,000 to $30,000 in coverage, depending on equipment inventory value.

Real-Life Coverage Scenario: Thieves broke into a work trailer overnight and stole two commercial-grade pressure washers worth $7,000, a surface cleaner valued at $1,800, 300 feet of high-pressure hoses totaling $900 and various accessories worth $600. The crew couldn't service scheduled clients for three days, losing $3,200 in revenue. Equipment insurance reimbursed $10,300 within five days, allowing immediate gear replacement and minimal business disruption.