Contractors We Work With
From a one-truck trade business to a builder running multiple crews and subcontractors, the right policy depends on the type of work, where you do it and who you work for.
- Electricians
- HVAC contractors
- Home builders & general contractors
- Roofers
- Plumbers
- Remodeling & renovation
Where Contractor Claims Usually Come From
These are common exposures for contractors. How a claim is handled always depends on the facts and on your actual policy wording.
Damage After the Job Is Done
A leak, a fire or a structural problem can show up weeks or months after you've finished and left the site. That's a completed operations exposure, and it can be severe.
Injuries on the Job
Ladders, roofs, power tools, heavy lifting and busy job sites make injuries a real cost for crews, and for the contractors who hire subcontractors.
Subcontractors
If a subcontractor is uninsured or underinsured, their injury or their mistake can become your claim, and your premium audit can charge for them as if they were employees.
Trucks, Trailers and the Drivers in Them
Work vehicles are on the road all day, often driven by employees, and loaded with tools and materials.
Tools, Equipment and Materials
Equipment and materials stored in trucks, trailers or on job sites are frequent theft targets, and buildings under construction need their own coverage.
Coverage Contractors Should Consider
| Coverage | What it's generally for |
|---|---|
| General liability | Third-party bodily injury and property damage from your operations, including completed operations when included in the policy. |
| Workers' compensation | Employee injuries on the job. Requirements depend on your state and how your business is set up. |
| Commercial auto | Trucks, vans and trailers used for business. Hired & non-owned auto can cover employees driving their own vehicles for work. |
| Contractor's equipment (inland marine) | Tools, equipment and materials that move between your shop, vehicles and job sites. |
| Builder's risk | Buildings and materials while a project is under construction or renovation. |
| Commercial umbrella | Extra liability limits above your GL, auto and employer's liability. Often required by commercial contracts. |
| Contractors pollution & professional liability | Pollution claims a GL policy may exclude, and design or specification errors for contractors who do that work. |
| License, permit & contract bonds | Required by some municipalities, owners or general contractors before work begins. |
Good to know: General liability usually responds to damage your work causes, not the cost of redoing the work itself. Ask us how your policy treats this.
The Fine Print
Policy Wording Worth a Second Look
Two contractor policies with the same limits can respond very differently. These are endorsements and details we check on every contractor policy we review. Tap one to see why it matters.
CG 21 39Contractual liability limitation
What it does: Narrows coverage for liability you take on in a contract, like the hold-harmless and indemnity clauses in many subcontracts.
Why it matters: If your contract promises to defend the GC or property owner, this endorsement can leave that promise uninsured.
CG 22 94Subcontracted work exclusion
What it does: Can remove coverage for damage to your completed work when the work was performed by subcontractors on your behalf.
Why it matters: If you sub out part of a job, a problem with their work could become your uncovered problem.
VariesResidential or habitational exclusions
What it does: Some contractor policies exclude or limit work on condos, townhomes, apartments or new residential construction.
Why it matters: If that's part of your work, a claim on one of those projects could fall outside the policy.
ClassThe wrong job description
What it does: Your policy is rated and written for a specific classification, such as "carpentry – interior."
Why it matters: If you've grown into different or riskier work and your classification hasn't changed, coverage disputes and audit surprises become more likely.
60-Second Gap Check
How exposed is your contracting business?
Seven quick yes-or-no questions. Each "yes" is a spot where your policy wording deserves a closer look. Your answers stay in your browser; nothing is sent.
Contracts and Certificates
General contractors, owners and property managers often require specific insurance terms before you can start. We review those requirements against your policy before you sign, then issue certificates quickly.
- Additional insured (ongoing & completed operations)
- Waiver of subrogation
- Primary & non-contributory wording
- Specific limits or umbrella requirements
- Per-project aggregate limits
- Certificate holder & notice requirements
Hiring subcontractors? Read Your Subcontractor Has a Certificate of Insurance. Now What?
What We'll Ask for Your Quote
Having these ready makes quoting faster. We'll walk you through anything you're unsure of.
- Type of work and licenses held
- Years in business
- Estimated annual revenue and payroll
- Residential vs. commercial work split
- Subcontractor costs and their insurance
- Vehicles, drivers and garaging address
- Tools & equipment values
- Current policies, declarations pages and claims history
Contractor Insurance FAQ
Does general liability cover a mistake in my own work?
Generally, general liability is designed for damage your work causes to other property or injuries to others, not the cost of fixing or replacing your own faulty work. Exact coverage depends on your policy wording, so let us review yours.
Do I need workers' comp if it's just me?
It depends on your state, your business structure and whether you have employees or use subcontractors. Some general contractors also require it regardless. We'll help you sort out what applies to you.
Why did my audit charge me for subcontractors?
If a subcontractor can't show their own insurance, many policies treat what you paid them as your payroll or sales at audit. Collecting certificates up front helps avoid that.
Are my tools covered under my auto or GL policy?
Usually not. Tools and equipment are typically covered under a separate contractor's equipment (inland marine) policy. Some business owners policies include limited coverage.
How fast can I get a certificate of insurance?
For existing clients, we aim to turn around standard certificate requests quickly. Special wording such as additional insured or waiver of subrogation needs to be supported by your policy, which we confirm first.
Do you only work with contractors in Pennsylvania?
We're based in Phoenixville and licensed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Nevada.