A physical job that looks gentle from outside
Hoovering stairs, scrubbing baths, lifting buckets and kneeling to clean floors add up over a week of houses or offices. Back pain, knee trouble and wrist problems are common reasons cleaners stop work. Skin problems and breathing complaints from cleaning products can also play a part.
When you work for yourself, a missed week means missed pay, and clients may find a replacement if you are off for long. Income protection gives you money while you recover and time to win your round back.
Commercial cleaners often work early mornings or late evenings, sometimes across several sites, and travel between them on public transport or by car. Those hours make it hard to fit in physio appointments around work, so a proper break to recover matters.
Self-employed, agency or on the payroll
Domestic cleaners with their own clients usually trade as sole traders. Insurers take the profit from your tax returns, averaged over the last few years. Keep a record of what you earn and what you spend on products and travel between jobs.
Office and contract cleaners employed by a company may get statutory sick pay, which is modest and lasts a limited time. Agency and zero-hours workers should check whether they qualify at all.
If you clean for a few households and also have a part-time employed job, insurers will add both incomes together. They will want to know about both roles to class you correctly.
- Have your self-assessment figures ready if self-employed
- Check payslips and contract terms if employed
- Tell us if you run a team of cleaners as well as cleaning yourself
How insurers class cleaning work
Insurers place every job into a risk class. Cleaning involves lifting, bending and repetitive movement, so it sits in a manual class, which raises the price compared with office work. If you mostly manage a cleaning business and clean only occasionally, say so, as it may change your class.
Manual roles do not always qualify for own occupation cover. Some insurers offer a definition based on whether you can do your own job or one suited to your experience. We explain the difference in plain English.
If you clean in hospitals, care homes or industrial sites, tell the insurer. Specialist and deep cleaning, such as after floods or in factories, may be rated differently from domestic work.
Keeping cover affordable
If full income protection feels too expensive, short-term cover that pays for one, two or five years per claim can cost less and still protect you through most injuries. A longer waiting period also brings the price down.
Life insurance is often more affordable than people expect. It pays a lump sum if you die during the policy and can clear a mortgage or support your children.
How Hi Tomorrow helps cleaners
We describe your work accurately to insurers, compare full and short-term options and help you find a level of cover you can keep paying. Our advice on personal protection is free. If you ever claim, we help you deal with the insurer.