Hiring Summer Help? The Insurance Checklist for Cleaners, Lawn Care, Dog Walkers, and Handymen

Early summer is when many of us line up the help that makes weekends feel like weekends again: a weekly cleaner, lawn care on autopilot, a dog walker during long workdays, or a handyman to tackle the “we’ll get to it” list.

This isn’t about being suspicious—it’s about being organized. A few simple insurance and documentation questions up front can prevent confusion later, especially when multiple people rotate through your home or property.

Important note: This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Insurance requirements and employment rules vary by state, by the type of service, and by the contract. When in doubt, confirm expectations with the provider and your own insurer, and use official state resources for specifics.

Start with the type of help you’re hiring (and what to ask first)

Different summer services come with different risks and business setups, so start by matching your questions to the job. You’re not trying to “catch” anyone—you’re simply clarifying how they operate.

• In-home cleaning: Ask whether they’re an individual or a company, and whether they carry general liability insurance. If they bring a team, ask how workers are covered.
• Yard/lawn care/landscaping: Ask about general liability and whether they use employees or subcontractors. (Crews often vary week to week.)
• Handyman/repairs: Ask for a written scope of work and whether they carry general liability. If the project is bigger or involves multiple trades, ask who is responsible for subs.
• Pet care (dog walker/pet sitter): Ask what insurance they carry for their service business and how they handle incidents or property damage claims.

If a provider says they’re “insured,” a friendly follow-up works well: “That’s great—can you tell me what type of coverage you have, and can you send a certificate for my records?”

Insurance terms in plain English (COI, general liability, workers’ comp, bonding, subcontractors)

These phrases get thrown around quickly. Here’s what they generally mean—and what they don’t automatically guarantee.

• Certificate of Insurance (COI): A COI is a summary document issued by an insurer or agent that shows certain policy details (like coverage types and dates). It’s evidence a policy exists, but it’s not the policy itself and usually doesn’t promise coverage for every situation.
• General liability (GL): Often described as coverage that may help if a business is held responsible for bodily injury or property damage to others arising out of its operations. Exact coverage depends on the policy and exclusions.
• Workers’ compensation: Coverage that may apply when a business has employees who could be injured on the job. Whether it’s required, and when, is largely state-regulated and depends on the work arrangement.
• Bonding: A bond is different from insurance. It’s often associated with financial protection related to theft or failure to perform, but terms vary—so treat “bonded” as something to verify, not assume.
• Subcontractors: A company may hire subs for certain tasks. Coverage for subs can be complicated; don’t assume a company’s insurance automatically covers everyone who shows up.

The ask-before-you-hire contractor COI checklist (copy/paste)

Use this contractor COI checklist in a text or email before the first visit. It keeps things matter-of-fact and avoids awkward back-and-forth later.

• “Do you have general liability insurance for your business?”
• “Can you provide a COI (certificate of insurance) sent directly from your insurance agent or carrier?”
• “Do you carry workers’ comp for employees, and how do you handle subcontractors (if you use them)?”
• “If something is damaged, what’s your process—who do I contact, and what documentation do you need?”
• “Can we agree on a written scope of work and an invoice breakdown (including add-ons)?”

Tip: You can tailor the wording by service: “certificate of insurance for cleaning service,” “lawn care insurance general liability,” or “dog walker insurance questions to ask”—the structure stays the same.

How to request, read, and file a COI (and set up a simple provider folder)

When you request a COI, ask for it to come from the insurer/agent—not as a forwarded screenshot—so you know it’s current. Then do a quick scan:

• Named insured: Does it match the business name you’re hiring (not a different entity)?
• Effective dates: Are the dates current for the period they’ll be working?
• Coverage types: Do you see general liability listed? If workers’ comp is relevant, is it shown (if they carry it)?
• Certificate holder: If appropriate, is your name/property listed correctly? (This is often requested for recordkeeping, but practices vary.)
• Additional insured wording: Only request this if a contract requires it, and understand a COI alone may not create that status without an endorsement. When in doubt, ask the agent what documentation confirms it.

Now make it easy on your future self: create a “Service Provider” folder (digital or paper) with (1) COIs, (2) scope/contract, (3) invoices/receipts, (4) key contact info, and (5) a simple log of dates and any changes you approved. Optional: a couple of photos of completed work for your records.

If someone can’t provide a COI, pause and clarify why (solo operator, new business, different arrangement). That’s also a good moment to call your own insurance company and ask how your homeowners policy typically treats hired help and liability exposures—without assuming the provider “should” have a particular coverage.

Common mistakes to avoid: accepting expired certificates, letting scope creep happen only via texts, and assuming a COI guarantees coverage for a specific incident. For ongoing weekly services, set a calendar reminder to refresh COIs at renewal.

Sources

Recommended sources to consult for definitions and verification. Coverage details and workers’ compensation rules are state- and policy-dependent; confirm specifics with the provider’s insurer/agent, your own insurer, and your state’s official resources where applicable.

• National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) — naic.org
• Insurance Information Institute (III) — iii.org
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) — ftc.gov
• USA.gov — usa.gov
• U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) — dol.gov