Hiring a cleaner
Bonded and insured: what to look for in a cleaning service
What 'bonded and insured' actually means, what coverage you should expect, and three specific certificate items to verify before letting anyone into your home.
TL;DR
A properly bonded and insured Edmonton cleaning company carries at least $2 million in general liability insurance and a fidelity bond covering each cleaner. Both are separate policies; both should be verifiable in writing before the first visit.
'Bonded and insured' is a phrase that gets used loosely. Asking for specifics separates serious operators from operators who heard the phrase in a marketing seminar.
The two policies
- General liability insurance — covers accidental damage to your property during cleaning. A broken vase, a scratched floor, a chipped countertop. $2 million is the standard for residential cleaning in Canada; $5 million for some commercial.
- Fidelity bond — covers theft or dishonest acts by an employee. Different policy, different purpose. $10,000 per cleaner is standard.
Three certificate items to verify
- The named insured — should be the company you're hiring, not a parent corporation or trade name you don't recognize
- The coverage limits — read the actual dollar figures, not the marketing claim
- The expiry date — annual policies, and 'lapsed' coverage is the same as no coverage
What if something gets damaged?
An honest operator's process: report immediately in writing (text or email), document with photos, the operator files the claim, the operator's insurer adjusts the claim, you receive replacement or repair value. The customer should never be told to file their own homeowner's claim — that's a sign the operator doesn't actually carry coverage.
Frequently asked
- Can I see the certificate before booking?
- Yes. Any serious operator will email you a certificate of insurance (COI) on request, with named insured, coverage limits, and expiry visible.
- What if the cleaner is solo and not a company?
- Solo cleaners sometimes self-insure or carry tradesperson liability. Verify the same way — read the policy. If they cannot produce a policy, they're not properly insured.
- Does homeowner's insurance cover cleaner damage?
- Sometimes, but at the cost of your deductible and your premium. The cleaner's insurance covering it is far preferable.
- What's the difference between bonded and licensed?
- Licensed = registered as a business in Alberta. Bonded = carries a fidelity bond. Insured = carries liability insurance. A proper operator is all three.
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