What insurance does a South Carolina janitorial business need?
Protect your business and meet your legal requirements
Updated 10/12/26
Your janitorial business keeps South Carolina offices, schools and shops clean, safe and ready for business. Unfortunately, one surprise expense – a client slipping on a freshly mopped floor, accidental damage to a building or a theft that gets blamed on your employees – can put your whole company at risk. We believe in your business and want you to have affordable insurance that meets state requirements and protects your property, team and income. This guide breaks down:
- South Carolina's required coverages
- The most recommended protections
- Some typical costs of janitorial services insurance
- How to save with fast quotes from top-rated insurance carriers
SHORT SUMMARY (because we know you have a lot going on!)
- Janitorial businesses in South Carolina face slip-and-fall, client-property and employee-injury risks that require customized coverage.
- Most janitorial businesses start with a Business Owner's Policy, then add workers' compensation and commercial auto.
A Business Owner's Policy for janitorial services can save you money by bundling general liability, property insurance and business interruption insurance.
General liability insurance covers injuries and property damage your team causes at client locations, plus advertising-related claims.
Property insurance helps repair or replace your office, cleaning equipment and supplies.
Business interruption insurance replaces lost income if covered property damage forces you to temporarily shut down.
Workers' compensation is required in South Carolina for businesses with four or more employees.
- Commercial auto is required in South Carolina if you own or use vehicles for work.
- Commercial umbrella and cyber insurance offer added protection depending on how you operate.
- Working with Mylo can help you find the right coverage at the best value.
The 3 coverages most South Carolina janitorial businesses need
Here are three essential coverages every janitorial business owner should consider to stay protected and profitable:
1. Business Owner's Policy for janitorial services
A business owner's policy (BOP) is a smart starting point for a janitorial business. It bundles key coverages into one affordable package. Your BOP typically includes:
GENERAL LIABILITY FOR JANITORIAL SERVICES covers legal and medical costs if a client or visitor is injured – or their property is damaged – because of your work. It also protects you from advertising-related claims. Examples:
- A client's employee slips on a wet floor your crew just mopped
- A cleaning chemical stains a client's carpet or damages a countertop
- Your crew knocks over and breaks expensive office equipment
JANITORIAL PROPERTY INSURANCE helps repair or replace your office, storage space, cleaning equipment and supplies if disaster strikes – like fire, theft or vandalism. Examples:
- Thieves break into your storage unit and take floor buffers and vacuums
- A burst pipe floods your office and ruins your computers and inventory
- A fire destroys your stock of cleaning supplies
BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE replaces lost income and helps cover ongoing expenses like rent and payroll if you need to temporarily close due to covered property damage. Example:
- A fire at your office and storage space keeps you from serving clients while you replace equipment
Based on actual Mylo data, a Business Owner's Policy in South Carolina typically costs $133–$416 a month.
2. Workers' compensation for janitorial services (required in South Carolina)
South Carolina requires businesses with four or more employees (full-time or part-time) to carry workers' compensation. This coverage provides medical care and replaces lost wages for staff injuries and shields you from most employee lawsuits. Examples:
- A cleaner slips on a wet floor and breaks a wrist
- An employee has an allergic reaction to a cleaning chemical
- A worker strains their back lifting trash bags or moving furniture
Based on actual Mylo data, workers' compensation in South Carolina typically costs $113–$267 a month.
3. Commercial auto for janitorial services (required in South Carolina if you use vehicles)
If you use company-owned or personal vehicles to get your crew and equipment to client locations, South Carolina requires you to cover them with commercial auto insurance.
- Helps pay for damages or injuries your vehicles cause to others or their property
- Can also pay for physical damage to your vehicles (optional)
Based on actual Mylo data, commercial auto in South Carolina typically costs $146–$302 a month.
Ready to get your free quote now and see how much you can save on these and other coverages you may need?
Depending on your business, you may also want:
1. Commercial umbrella insurance for janitorial services
Think of this as insurance for your insurance! A commercial umbrella policy provides extra protection when other key policies such as your general liability reach their limits – helpful if you clean large commercial buildings with heavy foot traffic.
2. Cyber insurance for janitorial services
If you accept card payments, schedule clients online or store client building access codes and data, you're at risk for cyberattacks. Cyber insurance helps you recover from data breaches, pay regulatory fines and manage PR fallout. Examples:
- Hackers access your scheduling software and steal client info
- A phishing email exposes employee payroll info
These coverages are legally required in South Carolina:
Make sure you meet South Carolina's requirements before you take on your next client:
1. Workers' compensation for janitorial services (required in South Carolina)
South Carolina requires businesses with four or more employees to carry workers' compensation, providing medical care and lost wages for injured staff.
Based on actual Mylo data, workers' compensation in South Carolina typically costs $113–$267 a month.
2. Commercial auto (required in South Carolina if you use vehicles)
If you use company-owned or personal vehicles to get your crew and equipment to client locations, South Carolina requires commercial auto insurance to cover damages or injuries your vehicles cause.
Based on actual Mylo data, commercial auto in South Carolina typically costs $146–$302 a month.
Mylo makes it easy to make a smart decision
Your amazing company deserves protection that keeps up with your business. Mylo has been innovating insurance for 10 years and provided 100,000 policies to 75,000+ small business owners. Because we don't sell our own insurance, we can give you an objective recommendation and find you the best value in South Carolina – at no cost to you.
In minutes Mylo will:
- Recommend the right coverage for your janitorial business
- Compare quotes from top-rated insurance carriers
- Find you the best combination of coverage and price in South Carolina
- Keep you feeling confident about growing your business!