Insurance for Contractors
Built for the trades. Priced to keep you competitive.
Get comprehensive contractor insurance that protects your business, meets client requirements, and keeps you on the job.
Licensed agents who understand the trades deliver fast quotes, instant COIs, and expert support for contractors nationwide.
Why Contractor Insurance Matters
Protect your business from the risks you face every day
Running a contracting business means managing constant risk—from job site injuries and property damage to equipment theft and vehicle accidents. Whether you're a general contractor, electrician, plumber, HVAC specialist, or any other trade professional, the right insurance coverage protects your business from the lawsuits, accidents, and unexpected events that can shut down operations and drain your profits overnight.
Contractors face unique insurance challenges that office-based businesses never encounter. You need General Liability to cover property damage and injuries on job sites, Workers' Compensation for your crew (required in most states), Commercial Auto for your trucks and equipment, and often specialized coverage like Builders Risk for projects under construction, Inland Marine for tools and equipment in transit, and Installation Floater for work you've completed but not yet been paid for. Most clients and general contractors require certificates of insurance (COIs) before you can start work, and those certificates need to show specific coverage limits and often add them as additional insureds.
The key to getting the right contractor insurance at the right price is working with agents who understand the trades and can package your coverages correctly. Your classification code (based on what type of contracting work you do) dramatically affects your rates, especially for Workers' Comp. Bundling policies, maintaining a clean claims history, implementing safety programs, and properly documenting your work can all reduce your premiums. Most contractors need a minimum of $1M in General Liability, but many commercial contracts now require $2M or more. Ready to protect your contracting business, meet client requirements, and get back to the job site?
Essential coverage for contractors
The policies you need to protect your business, meet client requirements, and stay on the job
General Liability
Covers property damage and injuries on job sites, completed operations claims, and the lawsuits that can bankrupt contracting businesses.
Workers' Compensation
Required in most states for employees. Pays medical bills and lost wages when crew members get injured on the job, protecting you from massive lawsuits.
Commercial Auto
Protects your work trucks, vans, and equipment vehicles from accidents, theft, and damage—plus liability for injuries you cause on the road.
Tools & Equipment
Inland Marine coverage protects your tools, equipment, and materials whether they're on the job site, in your truck, at the shop, or in transit.
Builders Risk
Temporary coverage for construction projects that protects the building under construction from fire, theft, vandalism, and weather damage.
Umbrella Liability
Extra liability protection that kicks in when your primary policies max out—critical for large projects and high-risk operations.
Real risks contractors face
See how the right insurance protects you when things go wrong on the job
Risk
Your electrician accidentally causes a fire while working on a rewiring project, destroying the homeowner's kitchen.
General Liability
Pays for property damage, kitchen repairs, and legal defense if the homeowner sues—potentially saving you $50,000-$150,000+ out of pocket.
Risk
Your electrician accidentally causes a fire while working on a rewiring project, destroying the homeowner's kitchen.
General Liability
Pays for property damage, kitchen repairs, and legal defense if the homeowner sues—potentially saving you $50,000-$150,000+ out of pocket.
Risk
A framing crew member falls from scaffolding and breaks their leg, requiring surgery and months of recovery.
Workers' Compensation
Pays all medical bills, rehabilitation, and partial lost wages. Without coverage, you'd face both the medical costs AND a devastating lawsuit.
Risk
A framing crew member falls from scaffolding and breaks their leg, requiring surgery and months of recovery.
Workers' Compensation
Pays all medical bills, rehabilitation, and partial lost wages. Without coverage, you'd face both the medical costs AND a devastating lawsuit.
Risk
Your work truck is stolen from a job site with $15,000 worth of tools, equipment, and materials inside.
Commercial Auto + Inland Marine
Reimburses you for the stolen vehicle and all your tools and equipment so you can get back to work quickly without the financial hit.
Risk
Your work truck is stolen from a job site with $15,000 worth of tools, equipment, and materials inside.
Commercial Auto + Inland Marine
Reimburses you for the stolen vehicle and all your tools and equipment so you can get back to work quickly without the financial hit.
Why contractors choose 1-800-INSURANCE
- Instant certificates of insurance (COIs) for client and GC requirements
- Fast additional insured endorsements—no waiting days for paperwork
- Agents who understand trade-specific classification codes and proper coverage packaging
- Access to carriers specializing in high-risk trades like roofing, demolition, and excavation
- Help with bonding requirements for public works and commercial projects
- 24/7 online policy access for certificates, proof of coverage, and policy documents
Essential coverage for contractors
Compare quotes and get the specific policies your contracting business needs
General Liability
Protect against property damage and injury claims on job sites. Required by most clients and contracts.
Workers' Compensation
Required coverage for employees. Pays medical bills and lost wages when crew members get hurt on the job.
Commercial Auto
Coverage for work trucks, vans, and equipment vehicles. Protects your fleet from accidents and liability claims.
Business Owners Policy (BOP)
Bundled coverage combining general liability, property, and business interruption protection at a lower cost.
Professional Liability
Protects design professionals and specialty contractors from claims of errors, omissions, or faulty workmanship.
Business Insurance Glossary
Understand COIs, additional insureds, completed operations, and other essential contractor insurance terms.
Ready to protect your contracting business?
Get quotes from top carriers, instant COIs, and coverage that keeps you working.
Common questions from contractors
What insurance do I need as a contractor?+
Most contractors need General Liability (covering property damage and injuries), Workers' Compensation (required in most states if you have employees), and Commercial Auto (for trucks and vehicles). Depending on your trade and contracts, you may also need Professional Liability, Builders Risk, Inland Marine for tools, Umbrella/Excess coverage, and Performance Bonds.
Why do clients require me to add them as additional insured?+
General contractors and property owners add themselves as additional insureds on your GL policy to protect themselves if your work causes damage or injury. It extends your coverage to them for incidents arising from your work, which protects them from lawsuits and ensures your insurance responds first before theirs.
How much does contractor insurance cost?+
Costs vary widely by trade, payroll, revenue, and claims history. General Liability might run $500-$3,000+ annually. Workers' Comp varies dramatically—low-risk trades like drywall might pay $2-3 per $100 of payroll while high-risk trades like roofing can pay $15-30+ per $100 of payroll. Commercial Auto for work trucks typically runs $1,200-$2,500 per vehicle annually.
Can I get coverage if I'm a sole proprietor with no employees?+
Absolutely. Even solo contractors need General Liability and Commercial Auto. In most states, you can exempt yourself from Workers' Comp as a sole proprietor, but many choose to carry it anyway for personal protection. Some clients may still require Workers' Comp even if you work alone.