Pressure washing — also known as jet washing or power cleaning — is essential for maintaining London’s residential blocks, commercial façades, car parks and paved areas. However, it’s also one of the most high-risk cleaning trades due to high-pressure water, electrical systems, slippery surfaces, and valuable property finishes.
For both contractors and property owners, having appropriate pressure washing insurance protects against the financial impact of accidents, damage, or liability claims. At Fraser Bond, we help cleaning, facilities, and property-maintenance firms understand the right insurance structure for their work — ensuring every project is fully compliant and every client protected.
Pressure washing insurance is a specialist form of business liability cover for contractors who clean surfaces using pressurised water or chemical cleaning systems.
A typical policy includes:
Public Liability Insurance – Protects you if a third-party (tenant, visitor, or passer-by) is injured or their property is damaged during cleaning.
Example: overspray damages a client’s car or causes a slip on wet pavement.
Employers’ Liability Insurance – Legally required if you employ anyone, covering injury or illness to staff or subcontractors. (gov.uk)
Tools & Equipment Cover – Protects pressure washers, hoses, trailers, and accessories against theft or damage. (simplybusiness.co.uk)
Treatment Risk Cover – Protects against accidental damage to the surfaces being cleaned (such as paint, brickwork, or stonework). (protectivity.com)
Business Interruption & Contract Works Add-Ons – Covers loss of income or project delays after an insured incident.
Optional extensions may include professional indemnity (for cleaning consultancy or risk assessments) and environmental liability for chemical runoff or water pollution.
London’s property stock includes diverse surfaces — limestone façades, glazed brickwork, historical masonry and luxury finishes — which require care and precision. Pressure washing without the right cover could expose contractors and property owners to substantial financial risk.
Examples of London-specific exposures include:
Overspray from jet washing damaging parked vehicles or adjacent property.
Slippery surfaces causing injury to tenants, visitors or the public.
Water or detergent runoff entering drains or damaging plants and landscaping.
High-value residential and commercial façades requiring specialist restoration after cleaning damage.
For property owners, ensuring your cleaning contractor has adequate insurance protects your building asset, service-charge fund, and reputation. Fraser Bond helps both contractors and landlords confirm policy adequacy and compliance across all maintenance operations.
Coverage and cost depend on business size, equipment, and risk exposure, but typical UK pressure washing insurance includes:
| Cover Type | Typical Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Public Liability | £1 m – £10 m | Standard minimum for contractors; higher limits for commercial sites. |
| Employers’ Liability | £10 m (statutory minimum) | Mandatory for any employer. |
| Tools & Equipment | Up to declared value | Includes power washers, hoses, trailers, protective gear. |
| Treatment Risk | £100,000 – £500,000 | Covers accidental damage to the material cleaned. |
| Environmental Liability | Optional | Covers pollution or runoff claims. |
Basic premiums can start from £6–£10 per month for sole traders, though London contractors may pay more due to urban exposure and property values. (simplybusiness.co.uk)
Fraser Bond recommends property-service businesses follow these key steps when selecting a pressure washing policy:
Disclose the nature of your work – External façades, driveways, or roofing? Insurers rate based on height, chemicals used, and property type.
Ensure “treatment risk” is included – Many general cleaning policies exclude damage to the item being worked on.
Check public liability limits – For London commercial or residential blocks, a £5 m minimum is advisable.
Review exclusions – Height limits, chemical use, or subcontractor work may be excluded unless declared.
Confirm tool cover in transit – Theft from vans or storage sites is a frequent cause of claims.
Keep certificates current – Property managers often require up-to-date proof of insurance before work starts.
Combine with professional indemnity if advising – If you provide cleaning surveys or consultation, include PI cover.
Fraser Bond’s insurance and property-risk advisory service connects contractors, landlords, and property owners with the right protection. We help:
Review contractors’ insurance documentation and verify compliance with lease or service agreements.
Ensure property-asset protection through proper liability and risk cover.
Advise service providers on integrating insurance with compliance and tender requirements.
Support London’s property ecosystem with trusted sales, lettings, compliance, and insurance insight.
Our clients benefit from risk-aware guidance that aligns with London’s property standards and contractual frameworks.
If you operate a pressure washing or exterior-cleaning business in London — or hire such contractors for property maintenance — ensure insurance is comprehensive, active, and compliant.
Visit FraserBond.com or contact our London advisory team for expert assistance with pressure washing insurance, contractor verification, and risk management.
