Window cleaner insurance: key facts
- Public liability is not a legal requirement for a sole-trader window cleaner, but most customers, letting agents and commercial clients expect it.
- Employers' liability is a legal requirement once you employ anyone, with at least £5 million of cover.
- Window cleaner insurance for a sole trader costs roughly £70 to £180 a year for public liability only (rough guide).
- Many policies limit how high you can work, especially on ladders. Working above the limit can leave you uninsured.
- The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to self-employed window cleaners as well as employers.
- In Scotland, window cleaners need a licence from their local council under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.
- Commercial contracts often ask for £2 million to £5 million of public liability cover.
- Driving to jobs in your van needs business use on your motor insurance.
What does window cleaner insurance cover?
Window cleaner insurance is usually a bundle of covers rather than one policy. The core is public liability, which pays claims if you injure someone or damage their property while working. Most window cleaners add tools and equipment cover, and anyone with staff must have employers' liability.
| Cover | What it protects | Who needs it |
|---|---|---|
| Public liability | Claims from customers or the public for injury or property damage, such as a cracked pane, a ladder falling onto a car, or someone slipping on runoff water. | Every window cleaner. This is the core of any policy. |
| Employers' liability | Claims from staff injured or made ill at work, for example an employee who falls from a ladder. | A legal requirement as soon as you employ anyone, including part-time or casual help. |
| Tools and equipment | Ladders, water-fed poles, pure water units, hoses, pumps and squeegees if they are stolen, lost or damaged. | Anyone with kit worth more than they could easily replace, especially water-fed pole users. |
| Van rig and tank cover | The water tank, pump, reel and filter system fitted in your van, which a standard van policy may not fully cover. | Water-fed pole cleaners with a van-mounted system. |
| Personal accident | A lump sum or weekly payment if you are injured and can't work, for example after a fall from a ladder. | Sole traders with no sick pay, especially those who do ladder work. |
| Contract works / customer property | Damage to the windows, frames and conservatory roofs you are actually working on, where the policy includes it. | Cleaners who also do conservatory roofs, gutters or fascias. |
| Business interruption | Lost income if you can't trade, for example if your van and rig are stolen. | Window cleaners who rely on one van to earn. |
| Business van insurance | Driving to and between jobs and carrying your kit. | Anyone driving for work. Arranged through your motor insurer, not the liability policy. |
Do window cleaners need insurance by law?
If you work alone, public liability insurance is not a legal requirement for window cleaners in the UK, although it is the main insurance for window cleaners that customers ask about. Once you employ anyone, even one part-time helper, employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement, with at least £5 million of cover.
In practice, it is very hard to run a window cleaning round without public liability insurance:
- Customers ask for it. You're working close to glass, cars, conservatories and people's front paths. Many homeowners will ask to see your certificate.
- Commercial clients require it. Shops, offices, schools, letting agents and facilities managers usually set a minimum level of public liability, often £2 million to £5 million, before they will give you work.
- One accident can cost a lot. A ladder falling onto a passer-by can lead to a claim far bigger than years of premiums.
Employers without employers' liability insurance can be fined up to £2,500 for every day they're uninsured. The rules apply to casual and part-time staff too. Northern Ireland has its own equivalent law with the same basic requirement.
How much does window cleaner insurance cost?
Window cleaner insurance for a sole trader with public liability only costs roughly £70 to £180 a year, as a rough guide. Higher cover levels, tools cover and staff all push the price up. Insurance Premium Tax of 12% is included in these figures.
| Typical set-up | Rough guide price per year |
|---|---|
| Sole trader, public liability only | £70 to £180 |
| Sole trader with higher cover (£2m to £5m) and tools/equipment | £120 to £300 |
| Window cleaning business with 1 to 3 employees (adds employers' liability) | £300 to £800 |
What affects the price of window cleaning insurance:
- Ladders or water-fed pole. Ladder work is usually seen as higher risk, so it can cost more.
- The height you work at. Cover for second-storey and higher work, or work above a policy's standard height limit, may cost more or need to be added.
- Your level of public liability. £1 million, £2 million and £5 million are common. Commercial contracts often push you to the higher end.
- Staff. Employers' liability is priced on the number of staff and your wage roll.
- Extra services. Gutter clearing, conservatory roof cleaning, fascias and soffits may need to be declared and can change the premium.
- The value of your kit. A van-mounted pure water system can be worth thousands of pounds.
These are rough guide figures only. A broker can give you an actual price once they know how you work.
What to check before you buy window cleaning insurance
Two window cleaner policies at the same price can cover very different things. Before you buy, check the height limit, whether ladder work is covered, and whether damage to the glass you're working on is included.
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Height limit | Many policies only cover work up to a set height or number of storeys. Work above it may not be covered at all. |
| Ladder conditions | Some policies require ladders to be footed, tied or fitted with stabilisers, or limit ladder use to certain heights. |
| Damage to the work itself | Some policies exclude damage to the window, frame or roof you're cleaning. That's the most likely thing you'll break. |
| Conservatory roofs and gutters | Walking on, leaning over or cleaning these may be excluded unless declared. |
| Tools and equipment | Check theft from a locked van is covered, the overnight conditions, and the limit per item. |
| Water-fed pole system | A van rig may need specific cover. Check the limit matches the value of your tank, pump and filters. |
| Public liability limit | Make sure it meets what your commercial clients and letting agents require. |
| Excess | A high excess can make small glass claims not worth making. |
Height limits, ladders and water-fed poles: how they affect your cover
Insurers treat ladder work as a bigger risk than cleaning from the ground with a water-fed pole. Many window cleaner policies set a maximum working height or number of storeys, and the limits vary between insurers, so always tell the broker how high you work and how.
- Height limits vary. Some policies limit ladder work to a set height or number of storeys. Others exclude work above a certain height altogether, or only cover it with conditions. There is no standard figure, so read the wording.
- Water-fed poles reduce the risk. Cleaning from the ground removes most of the risk of a fall, which insurers generally like. But poles bring their own risks, such as runoff onto paths and overhead power lines.
- Mixing methods. Many cleaners use a pole for most work and a ladder for awkward windows. Tell the broker you do both, even if ladder work is only occasional.
- Commercial work. Shops, offices and letting agents often ask for £2 million to £5 million of public liability, plus risk assessments. Work beyond ladder or pole reach, such as cradles, platforms or rope access, usually needs separate cover.
Rules and regulations window cleaners should know
The main rules for UK window cleaners are the Work at Height Regulations 2005, which apply to employers and the self-employed, and in Scotland a window cleaner's licence from your local council. Employers also need employers' liability insurance.
- Work at Height Regulations 2005. These apply to employers and to self-employed people working at height. In short, you should avoid working at height where you reasonably can (for example by using a water-fed pole from the ground), use the right equipment to prevent falls where you can't, and reduce the distance and consequences of a fall if one could happen. Work must be planned and done by competent people. Northern Ireland has its own equivalent regulations.
- Ladders. Health and Safety Executive guidance says ladders can be suitable for short, low-risk jobs, as long as the ladder is in good condition, the right type for the job, set up on firm, level ground and secured. Check ladders before each use.
- Risk assessments. Think through the hazards on each type of job, such as height, fragile roofs, traffic, the public, power lines and ice, and how you control them. If you employ five or more people, you must write your risk assessment down.
- Training. Ladder safety and water-fed pole training courses are widely available. Some insurers and commercial clients ask about them.
- Licensing in Scotland. Under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, window cleaners in Scotland need a licence from their local council. Councils set their own fees and conditions, which may include checks and ID badges, so contact your council before you start. England and Wales have no general window cleaner licence.
- Water on public paths. Runoff can freeze on pavements in winter, and a slip on it is a typical public liability claim.
Common window cleaner insurance claims
The most common claims against window cleaners are for broken glass and damaged conservatory roofs, ladders falling onto cars or people, slips on water runoff, and stolen tools or van-mounted water systems.
- A ladder slips and cracks a double-glazed unit or a conservatory roof panel.
- A ladder or pole falls onto a parked car and dents the bonnet.
- A passer-by trips over your ladder on a narrow pavement.
- A customer slips on a wet or icy path caused by runoff from your water-fed pole.
- Your van is broken into overnight and your poles, hoses and squeegees are taken.
- You fall from a ladder and can't work for several weeks.
- An employee is injured while carrying or using a ladder and makes a claim against you.
Glass damage, conservatory roofs and water damage are where exclusions most often apply, so check them before you buy.
Starting a window cleaning business: checklist
To start a window cleaning business in the UK, register with HMRC, arrange public liability and tools cover, add business use to your van insurance, and in Scotland apply for a council licence before you start.
- Register as self-employed with HMRC, or set up a limited company.
- Apply for a window cleaner's licence from your council if you work in Scotland.
- Choose your method: ladders, water-fed pole, or both. This affects your kit, your training and your insurance.
- Get insured: public liability, tools and equipment, and personal accident if you'd struggle without income.
- Add business use to your van insurance and check how your water-fed system is covered.
- Do a risk assessment for your typical jobs and consider ladder or water-fed pole training.
- Note any existing damage to windows and frames before you start a job.
- Add employers' liability before you take on any help, even casual or part-time.
Window cleaning business insurance: broker or buy online?
Buying online suits many sole-trader window cleaners with simple rounds. A broker is useful when your work doesn't fit a standard policy: you work at height, use ladders on commercial jobs, employ staff or clean conservatory roofs and gutters.
A broker who arranges cover for window cleaners can compare insurers, explain height limits and ladder conditions before you buy, and help if you need to claim.
For a wider guide to every type of business cover, see our small business insurance guide.
Related guides
Window cleaner insurance: frequently asked questions
Do window cleaners need insurance by law?
Public liability insurance is not a legal requirement for a sole-trader window cleaner in the UK, but most customers and commercial clients expect it. Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement as soon as you employ anyone, with at least £5 million of cover.
How much is window cleaner insurance?
As a rough guide, a sole trader with public liability only pays roughly £70 to £180 a year. Higher cover levels and tools cover take that to roughly £120 to £300, and a business with 1 to 3 employees might pay roughly £300 to £800. These figures include Insurance Premium Tax at 12%.
How much window cleaners public liability insurance do I need?
£1 million is the lowest level most insurers offer, and many window cleaners choose £2 million. Commercial clients such as shops, offices and letting agents often ask for £2 million to £5 million, so check what your clients require.
Am I covered if I break a customer's window?
Usually, if your public liability policy includes damage to property you are working on. Some policies exclude or limit damage to the glass, frame or roof you are cleaning, so check this before you buy, because it is the most likely claim you will make.
Does window cleaner insurance cover working at height?
Most policies cover ladder work up to a limit, but the limit varies between insurers. Some set a maximum height or number of storeys, and some exclude higher work completely. Tell the broker the highest you work and how you reach it.
Is insurance cheaper if I use a water-fed pole instead of ladders?
It can be, because cleaning from the ground removes most of the risk of a fall. Pole work still carries risks, such as water runoff causing slips and damage to property, so you still need public liability cover.
Do I need a licence to be a window cleaner?
In Scotland, yes. Window cleaners need a licence from their local council under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. There is no general window cleaner licence in England or Wales.
Does my policy cover cleaning conservatory roofs and gutters?
Not always. Conservatory roof cleaning, gutter clearing and fascia cleaning are often treated as extra services that you need to declare. Tell the broker about everything you do so the policy matches your work.
Are my ladders and water-fed pole covered if they are stolen from my van?
Only if you have tools and equipment cover, and even then policies often have conditions, such as the van being locked and the kit out of sight, or limits on overnight theft. A van-mounted water system may need its own cover or a higher limit.
Do I need employers' liability if I only use casual help on busy days?
Usually yes. Employers' liability is required for most employees, including casual, part-time and temporary staff. Whether a helper counts as an employee or a subcontractor depends on how you work together, so ask the broker if you are unsure.
Do the Work at Height Regulations apply to self-employed window cleaners?
Yes. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to self-employed people as well as employers. You should avoid working at height where you reasonably can, use suitable equipment, and plan the work so it is done safely.