General liability insurance for contractors
Most jobs won't let you start without a certificate of insurance. We place general liability for contractors and trades across NY, NJ, VA, MI, CA, and TX, and handle the COI, additional-insured, and waiver requests that come with every new job.
Coverage for the work you do
Remodeling general contractors, roofing, and new residential construction are reviewed case by case through specialty (E&S) markets.
What we can put in place
Coverage, limits, and deductibles depend on the carrier, the property or operation, and the policy issued. We explain each one before you decide.
General liability
Third-party bodily injury and property damage arising from your work or operations, plus legal defense.
Completed operations
Covers injury or damage that shows up after your job is finished, within the policy's terms.
COIs & additional insured
Additional insured, waiver of subrogation, and primary & non-contributory wording by endorsement, subject to carrier approval.
Workers' compensation
Covers your employees' work injuries. Required by law in most states once you have employees, and often required by GCs from their subs.
Commercial auto
Your work van or truck needs a commercial auto policy. GL does not cover vehicles.
Tools & equipment
Inland marine coverage for tools and equipment on the job or in transit, where available.
Usually not covered
These typically need a separate policy or endorsement.
- The cost to redo your own faulty work
- Injuries to your own employees (workers' comp)
- Vehicles (commercial auto)
- Your tools and equipment (inland marine)
- Work outside the classes listed on your policy
What we need to quote
Have these ready and we can approach the right markets the first time.
- Business name, entity type, and years in business
- Your trade(s) and the percentage of work in each
- Residential vs. commercial split, and any new construction
- Estimated annual revenue and payroll
- Subcontracted costs and whether your subs carry their own insurance
- Claims in the last 5 years
- COI requirements from the GC or client, if you have them
Working in New York?
New York Labor Law Section 240, often called the "scaffold law," holds contractors and owners strictly liable for many gravity-related job-site injuries. Because of this, many standard carriers limit their appetite for New York contractors who work at height, and coverage is often placed through specialty markets with specific endorsements. We explain exactly what a New York policy includes and excludes, including action-over and subcontractor wording, before you bind.
Common questions
This page is general information, not a policy or a binder. Actual coverage, limits, exclusions, and eligibility depend on the policy issued, carrier underwriting, and state rules. Coverage is not in force until confirmed in writing.
Ready to compare your options?
Free, no-obligation quote. A licensed agent reviews every request and explains what's covered, what's excluded, and what it costs.