Premiums depend on your state, payroll, driving records, claims history and limits. Treat these as ballpark figures and get quotes. This page isn't insurance advice.
Typical costs for a small pool service company
| Policy | Typical cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| General liability ($1M / $2M) | ~$1,150/yr (Insureon); $800–$2,500/yr (broker range) | Damage you cause to a customer's property, and injuries to others |
| Business owner's policy (BOP) | ~$970/yr | General liability bundled with business property |
| Commercial auto | ~$3,000/yr; $1,200–$3,000 per vehicle | The service truck. Personal auto policies usually exclude business use |
| Workers' comp | ~$1,360/yr average policy | Employee injuries. Required in most states once you have employees |
| Umbrella | ~$900/yr | Extra liability above your other policies |
Typical figures from Insureon's pool cleaner customers (mostly firms under 5 employees, updated Sept 2026). Broker ranges from 1-800-Insurance.
The coverage pool companies actually need
General liability
The policy customers, HOAs and property managers will ask to see. $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate is the common standard. Check what it says about chemical damage (bleached decking, etched plaster) and work you did (a pump you installed that later floods something). Pool-specific programs often include these. Generic cleaning policies may not.
Commercial auto
If you drive to stops with chemicals in the truck, a personal policy probably won't cover an accident on the job. This is often the biggest premium in the stack.
Workers' comp
Pool maintenance is commonly classed under NCCI code 9014 (janitorial services by contractors). Florida, for example, lists "9014 Swimming Pool Service" in its rate filings. California, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania use their own rating bureaus, so the code and rate can differ. Rates per $100 of payroll vary widely by state and carrier. Get a quote rather than trusting a published range. Labeling techs as 1099 contractors doesn't remove the requirement if they're really employees.
The IPSSA route
Members of the Independent Pool & Spa Service Association get a pool-specific master general liability policy. IPSSA's insurance FAQ lists pool-specific sublimits, such as coverage for pools that pop out of the ground. Membership requires at least $1M liability coverage. It doesn't include commercial auto (IPSSA insurance FAQ). IPSSA also offers "sick route" coverage, where other members service your pools if you can't.
Budgeting it in
For a one-truck operation, liability plus commercial auto commonly lands in the low-to-mid thousands per year, before workers' comp. Spread it across your accounts as overhead. The startup cost calculator and pricing calculator both include it.