Gutter and window cleaning looks simple from the outside, but insurers see a high-risk mix: working at height, ladders and poles, slippery surfaces, members of the public nearby, and frequent work on domestic and commercial properties. One dropped tool, a ladder slip, or a damaged roof tile can turn into a costly claim.
If you work on or around construction sites (new builds, refurbishments, scaffolding projects, property maintenance contracts), you can also face “construction-style” exposures: site rules, permits, contractor terms, and higher expectations around health and safety.
The right insurance isn’t just about ticking a box. It’s about protecting your income, meeting client requirements, and keeping your business trading after an incident.
Most serious incidents involve falls from ladders, roofs, scaffolding, or unstable surfaces. Even a short fall can cause life-changing injuries, long recovery periods, and long-term loss of earnings.
Members of the public, customers, neighbours, or passers-by can be injured by falling tools, dislodged debris, water runoff, or ladder movement. Claims can include medical costs, loss of earnings, and legal fees.
Common examples include:
Cracked roof tiles or damaged lead flashing
Scratched glass, frames, or cladding
Broken guttering, downpipes, fascias, or soffits
Water ingress after a blocked gutter is disturbed
Damage to cars parked below from falling debris
Water-fed pole systems, pumps, hoses, ladders, and specialist tools are expensive and frequently stored in vans—making them a theft target.
Many cleaners drive all day, park in tight residential streets, and carry equipment. Accidents, theft, and damage to signwritten vans can be a major cost.
Commercial clients and principal contractors often require specific limits of indemnity, proof of cover, and compliance with site safety rules. Some will insist on employers’ liability even if you only use casual labour.
Below are the main covers most gutter and window cleaning businesses consider in the UK. Your exact needs depend on whether you’re a sole trader, have staff, use subcontractors, and work domestic vs commercial.
Public liability insurance helps cover compensation and legal costs if your business activities cause injury to a third party or damage to their property.
A customer trips over your hose and injures themselves
A ladder slips and damages a parked car
Debris falls from a gutter and injures a passer-by
You scratch a client’s window or damage cladding
Many domestic jobs may only require £1m–£2m, but commercial clients often ask for £5m. Some contracts (especially local authorities, housing associations, or large facilities) may request £10m.
Working at height must be declared accurately (max height, method of access)
Heat work (rare for cleaners, but relevant if you also do repairs) can change terms
Roof work: cleaning gutters is different from working on a roof surface
Use of ladders vs scaffold vs MEWP can affect acceptance and pricing
If you employ anyone—even part-time, casual, or labour-only—UK law generally requires employers’ liability insurance (typically £5m minimum, though most policies provide £10m).
It can cover compensation and legal costs if an employee is injured or becomes ill due to their work.
An employee falls from a ladder and suffers a serious injury
A worker develops a repetitive strain injury from long-term pole use
A team member is injured by falling debris while working below
“They’re cash-in-hand, so it doesn’t count.” It still can.
“They’re a subcontractor.” Some subcontractors can be treated as employees for liability purposes depending on control and working arrangements.
If you use subcontractors regularly, it’s worth getting advice on how they should be insured and how contracts should be structured.
Public and employers’ liability protect other people. Personal accident cover is about you.
If you’re a sole trader and you’re injured, you may have no sick pay. Personal accident cover can pay a weekly benefit or a lump sum for certain injuries.
This is especially relevant for working-at-height trades where a single accident can stop you working for months.
Tools cover can insure your:
Water-fed poles, pumps, filtration systems
Ladders and roof ladders
Hand tools and specialist attachments
Pressure washers (if you also do exterior cleaning)
Cover in transit (tools in the van)
Cover overnight (locked van vs locked building)
Security conditions (alarms, deadlocks, trackers)
Single item limits (important for pole systems)
If you use a van for business, you’ll need the right class of use. Consider:
Business use for multiple drivers
Cover for signwriting
Cover for racking and fitted equipment
Carriage of tools and equipment
If you have multiple vehicles, a fleet policy may be more efficient.
Most gutter and window cleaners won’t need professional indemnity. But it can be relevant if you provide reports, surveys, or advice that clients rely on—particularly on commercial contracts.
Example: you provide a written condition report and the client claims they relied on it and suffered a loss.
If you take on broader exterior maintenance work—minor repairs, replacement of guttering, fascia/soffit work, or work as part of a refurbishment—contractors’ all risks (CAR) can be relevant.
This can cover:
Contract works (the work in progress)
Materials on site
Plant and tools (depending on the policy)
If you’re working under a main contractor, they may have project insurance, but you should never assume you’re automatically covered.
Insurers don’t just price risk; they want evidence you manage it.
Ladders (including ladder stability devices)
Water-fed poles from ground level
Scaffolding
Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs)
Ground-based systems can reduce risk, but they don’t remove it—hoses, wet surfaces, and public exposure still matter.
Policies may ask for:
Maximum working height
Whether you access roofs
Whether you work from scaffolding or MEWPs
Be accurate. If you routinely work above the declared height, you can create problems at claim time.
Insurers may ask about:
Working at Height training
Ladder safety training
MEWP training (IPAF) if relevant
Risk assessments and method statements (RAMS)
If you work on commercial sites, RAMS are often required. Even for domestic work, having a simple documented process helps demonstrate good practice.
Regular ladder checks, pole maintenance, and record keeping can help reduce incidents and support your position if a claim is disputed.
Construction sites add complexity:
More people on site (more third-party exposure)
Higher-value property and equipment
Tighter contractual terms
Site inductions, permits, and supervision
Public liability: £5m or £10m
Employers’ liability: £10m
Evidence of tools/plant cover
Confirmation of height limits and access methods
Sometimes professional indemnity (if you provide reports)
Some contracts ask for “indemnity to principal,” which extends cover to the principal contractor or client for claims arising from your negligence. This is common in construction-related work.
If you subcontract work, insurers may require you to only use “bona fide” subcontractors and keep evidence of their insurance.
Insurance is full of detail. These are typical areas where gutter/window cleaners can get caught out:
Incorrect business description: “Cleaning” vs “property maintenance” vs “roof work” can change acceptance.
Undeclared height: Working above the stated limit.
Heat work: If you also do repairs involving torches or hot works, you must declare it.
Unattended vehicles: Tools stolen from an unlocked van or left overnight in breach of conditions.
Wear and tear: Insurance isn’t a maintenance contract; gradual deterioration is usually excluded.
Faulty workmanship: Many policies cover resulting damage but not the cost of redoing your work.
A sensible way to decide is to match cover to:
The type of clients you serve (domestic vs commercial)
The height and access methods you use
Whether you have employees or subcontractors
The value of tools and equipment you carry
Contract requirements (limits, clauses, site rules)
Sole trader, domestic-only, ground-based pole work: Public liability + tools + van insurance + personal accident.
Domestic + small commercial: Higher public liability limit, tools cover with in-van theft, consider employers’ liability if you use help.
Construction sites / principal contractors: Public liability £5m–£10m, employers’ liability, indemnity to principal, RAMS, and potentially contractors’ all risks.
A squeegee slips from a belt while you’re on a ladder and hits a passer-by. Public liability can respond to injury claims and legal costs.
You clear a gutter, but a joint is disturbed and rainwater enters the property. Public liability may respond to resulting damage (subject to terms), but not necessarily the cost of redoing the work.
A team member falls and suffers a serious injury. Employers’ liability can respond, and the HSE may investigate.
Your van is broken into and your pole system is stolen. Tools cover may respond if security conditions were met.
Insurers like well-run trades.
Use ground-based systems where appropriate
Document ladder checks and training
Use cones/signage and cordon off work areas
Keep RAMS templates for commercial jobs
Improve van security (locks, alarms, trackers)
Store high-value equipment in a locked building overnight
Keep a clean claims history and report incidents early
To get accurate terms, expect questions like:
What percentage of work is domestic vs commercial?
Do you work on construction sites?
Maximum working height?
Do you access roofs?
Any use of scaffolding or MEWPs?
Do you have employees or labour-only subcontractors?
Value of tools and whether they’re left in the van overnight?
Any previous claims or incidents?
Having clear answers speeds up quotes and reduces the chance of cover gaps.
Public liability isn’t usually a legal requirement, but many clients will insist on it. If you work in public areas or on commercial sites, it’s strongly recommended.
Often yes. If you control their work and they’re effectively working for you, employers’ liability may be required. It’s best to check before you take anyone on.
It can, but only if your policy includes your activities and you’ve declared the height and access methods. Always confirm your maximum height and whether roof access is included.
Not always. Some policies have conditions or height limits. Be clear about how you work.
That can move you from “cleaning” into “property maintenance” or “contracting.” You may need broader cover, and construction-style policies like contractors’ all risks could become relevant.
Sometimes, but many principal contractors require higher limits, specific clauses, and proof of employers’ liability. Always check contract requirements before you start.
Confirm your business description matches what you actually do
Set the right public liability limit for your clients
Add employers’ liability if you have staff or labour-only help
Declare working-at-height details accurately
Insure tools in transit and overnight storage properly
Make sure your van policy covers business use and carriage of tools
If you do broader maintenance, consider contractors’ all risks
If you’re a gutter or window cleaner and you want insurance that reflects working at height and real-world site requirements, it’s worth getting advice from a broker who understands trades and construction-style risks. The right policy should protect you on domestic jobs, commercial contracts, and construction sites—without nasty surprises at claim time.
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