Short answer: Yes. Cleaning companies can carry a janitorial or fidelity bond, which covers losses from theft or other dishonest acts by employees. A bond is separate from general liability insurance, which covers accidental injury or property damage, and from workers' compensation, which covers the company's own injured workers. Ask for proof of each and confirm it's active.
"Licensed, bonded and insured" appears on a lot of cleaning company websites, and most people read it as one blanket promise. It isn't. Each word refers to something different, and the protection you actually get depends on which of those a company carries and whether the coverage is current. Here is what a bond is, what it isn't, and how to check.
Yes, cleaning companies can be bonded
A cleaning business can buy what is often called a janitorial bond or fidelity bond. The Better Business Bureau describes a bond as a form of insurance that protects you from dishonest or criminal acts, and it stresses that bonds and insurance are separate issues.
The Surety & Fidelity Association of America explains that fidelity coverage, also called employee dishonesty insurance, protects an employer against financial losses caused by employees' dishonest acts, such as theft or fraud. It began as a three-party surety bond guaranteeing an employee's honesty and today is usually written as a two-party insurance policy. The Illinois Department of Employment Security uses a similar definition, describing fidelity bonding as a business insurance policy that protects employers against employee dishonesty, theft or embezzlement.
Because fidelity coverage is written to protect the employer, ask any company you're considering how a claim from a customer would be handled if an employee stole from your home or office. The answer tells you more than the word "bonded" on a website.
Bond, insurance and workers' comp: what each covers
| Coverage | What it is for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Janitorial or fidelity bond | Losses from theft or other dishonest acts by employees | Jewelry or equipment goes missing after a cleaning visit |
| General liability insurance | Claims for bodily injury or property damage | A cleaner breaks a television, or a visitor trips over a vacuum cord |
| Workers' compensation | Injuries to the company's own employees on the job | A cleaner falls from a step stool in your kitchen |
The U.S. Small Business Administration describes general liability insurance as protection against financial loss from bodily injury and property damage claims. The Illinois Department of Employment Security notes that fidelity bonding does not cover liability for things like poor workmanship, job injuries or work accidents, which is why a bond on its own isn't enough.
Workers' compensation covers the company's employees if they're hurt on the job, including at your property. The BBB recommends confirming that a cleaning company has its own workers' compensation policy.
Bond limits and the fine print
Every bond and policy has a limit, which is the most it will pay on a claim. The BBB recommends noting the dollar values and coverage limits, not just whether coverage exists. If you keep valuables, art or sensitive equipment where the crew works, a low limit may not go far.
You may also hear about a different kind of bond. The Illinois Department of Employment Security describes the Federal Bonding Program, which provides no-cost fidelity bonds of $5,000 to $25,000 for a 6-month period to help employers hire job applicants who face barriers, such as people with a criminal record. That bond covers a specific new hire for a limited time. It is not the same as a company carrying its own bond for all of its employees.
How to verify a bond and insurance
Don't stop at the words on a website or truck. The BBB suggests getting a copy of the company's bond, getting the name of its insurance agent and calling to verify that the bond and policies are in effect. This checklist covers the details:
- Ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability and workers' compensation, plus a copy of the bond.
- Check that the business name on each document matches the company you're hiring.
- Note the coverage limits and dollar amounts, as the BBB recommends, and decide whether they fit your home or building.
- Look at the policy dates to make sure nothing has lapsed or is about to.
- Call the insurance agent or bonding company listed to confirm the coverage is active.
- For a business, check what your lease or property manager requires vendors to carry, and ask the cleaning company for documents that meet it.
Other ways to vet a cleaning company
A bond helps after something goes wrong. The BBB's tips for hiring a cleaning service focus on preventing problems in the first place:
- Research the company: look at its history and reviews from more than one source.
- Interview candidates: ask who will actually be in your home or building, how keys and alarm codes are handled, and what happens if something is damaged.
- Ask for references: the BBB suggests requesting a list of references you can contact and looking for repeat customers.
- Ask about background checks: the BBB suggests requesting background checks for employees who will work in your home.
- Get everything in writing: a written agreement should spell out what the cleaners will do and the time frame.
It also helps to prepare for any visit, whoever you hire. Put away cash, jewelry, medications and important papers before the crew arrives.
Businesses have a few extra questions to ask. If a crew will clean after hours, find out how keys and alarm codes are issued and returned, whether the same team comes each visit, how new staff are screened and supervised, and who you call if something looks wrong the next morning. A written answer to each is worth more than a bonded logo.
What this means when you hire
For a home, a bond and general liability coverage, along with references and a written scope, make a reasonable baseline. For an office, store or other commercial space, your landlord, property manager or contract may set specific insurance and bond requirements, so get those in writing before you compare quotes.
If you're comparing providers for office cleaning, janitorial maintenance or commercial cleaning services in DuPage or Will County, ask ServiceMaster Restoration Services the same questions you'd ask anyone else. Our cleaning services page outlines what we offer for homes and businesses, and you can reach us at (630) 241-1111, 24/7.
More questions
Is "bonded" the same as "licensed"?
No. A license is permission from a government body to operate, where one is required. A bond is a financial protection against certain losses. Licensing rules for cleaning businesses vary by location, so check with your city or village if it matters for your property.
What should I do if something goes missing after a cleaning visit?
Write down what is missing and when the visit happened, report it to the company in writing and, if you suspect theft, file a police report. Then ask the company how its bond or insurance handles the claim. How a claim is paid depends on how the coverage is written and on the facts.
Does my own homeowners or business insurance cover theft by a cleaner?
Sometimes, but coverage, limits and deductibles vary from policy to policy. Read your policy, call your agent, and contact the Illinois Department of Insurance if you have questions about your rights.
Does a bond cover damage a cleaner causes by accident?
Generally, no. A fidelity bond is aimed at dishonest acts such as theft. Accidental damage, like a broken lamp or a scratched floor, is what general liability insurance is for. The Illinois Department of Employment Security notes that fidelity bonding does not cover liability for poor workmanship or work accidents.
Do independent house cleaners carry bonds?
Some do and many don't. If you hire an individual rather than a company, ask directly about bonding and liability coverage, get proof, and check how your own policy would respond if something went wrong.