Insurance for Contractors
Contractor insurance built around your trade, employees, vehicles, equipment and contract requirements. We insure contractors and skilled trades in 42 states.
What Is Contractor Insurance?
Contractor insurance is a combination of policies designed to protect a construction or trade business from losses involving its work, employees, vehicles, tools, equipment and job sites.
Insurance by Trade
From general contractors to specialty trades, every operation has different jobsite, vehicle, equipment and completed-work exposures. We build coverage around the way your business actually works.
General Contractor Insurance
Coverage that follows your projects from bid to closeout, including work performed by your subcontractors.
- ✓General liability & completed operations
- ✓Contractual & additional insured needs
- ✓Builders risk & project coverage
Concrete Contractor Insurance
Protection for pouring, forming and finishing work, plus the trucks and equipment used on concrete jobs.
- ✓General liability for site work
- ✓Contractors equipment coverage
- ✓Workers' comp for physical crews
Junk Removal Insurance
Coverage for hauling, disposal and cleanout crews working in and around customer properties every day.
- ✓General liability & property damage
- ✓Commercial auto for haul trucks
- ✓Workers' comp for hauling crews
Excavation Contractor Insurance
Coverage for installation, service and repair work, from residential systems to larger commercial HVAC operations.
- ✓General liability & installation risk
- ✓Commercial auto for service fleets
- ✓Tools & equipment coverage
Plumbing Contractor Insurance
Protection against water damage claims and the property exposures that come with plumbing installation and service work.
- ✓General liability & water damage
- ✓Completed operations coverage
- ✓Commercial auto & tools
Electrical Contractor Insurance
Coverage for fire, injury, vehicle and completed-work exposures faced by residential and commercial electricians.
- ✓General liability & fire exposure
- ✓Completed operations coverage
- ✓Workers' comp & equipment
Work a trade that isn't listed here?
We also work with roofers, painters, landscapers, masonry contractors, drywall and framing crews, excavators, remodelers, flooring contractors and many other construction businesses.
What Does Contractor Insurance Cover?
A contractor insurance program is usually built from several policies working together. The right mix depends on your trade, projects, employees, vehicles, equipment and contract requirements.
General Liability
Helps protect against third-party bodily injury, property damage and many claims arising from your work, job sites and completed operations.
Workers' Compensation
Helps cover work-related employee injuries and can satisfy insurance requirements imposed by project owners, general contractors or state law.
Commercial Auto
Protects work trucks, vans and service vehicles used to move crews, tools, materials and equipment between jobs.
Commercial Umbrella
Adds liability limits above primary policies and can help meet higher insurance limits required by contracts, owners and general contractors.
Tools & Equipment
Inland marine coverage for portable tools, machinery and contractor equipment at the shop, in transit or at a jobsite.
Builders Risk
Protects buildings, materials and certain property during construction or renovation and may be required by lenders or project owners.
Additional options can include a business owner's policy or commercial property, surety and contractor bonds, installation floaters, contractors pollution, professional liability, employment practices liability and cyber coverage.
Why Contractors Choose Nelson
Contractors need an insurance partner that understands jobsite risk, contract requirements, vehicles, crews and equipment. As an independent agency, we can compare multiple carriers and build coverage around your operation.
Independent agency advantage
Because we represent many carriers, we compare options on your behalf and place your business where it fits best for coverage, price and underwriting fit.
Total Cost of Risk, not lowest price
The cheapest policy often costs the most after a claim. We focus on the right coverage, smart deductibles, and loss control that lowers your long-term expense.
Construction insurance expertise
We understand certificates of insurance, additional insured requirements, waiver of subrogation, primary and noncontributory wording, builders risk, subcontractor exposures and the demands of project owners and general contractors.
How Much Does Contractor Insurance Cost?
There is no single contractor insurance price. Premiums vary by trade, payroll, revenue, subcontractor costs, vehicles, claims history, location, limits and the exact work your company performs.
What carriers look at
Your trade and operating details usually drive both eligibility and price.
- ✓Type of contracting work
- ✓Payroll and annual revenue
- ✓Subcontractor costs
- ✓Vehicles and driving exposure
- ✓Claims and loss history
- ✓Coverage limits and deductibles
What helps us quote faster
A few basic details let us approach the right contractor insurance markets from the start.
- ✓Trade and scope of work
- ✓States where you operate
- ✓Employee and payroll estimates
- ✓Vehicle and equipment details
- ✓Current insurance and loss runs
- ✓Contract or certificate requirements
Contractor Insurance FAQs
Quick answers to common contractor insurance questions. Exact requirements depend on your trade, state, contracts and business structure.
What insurance does a contractor usually need?
How much does contractor insurance cost?
Do subcontractors need their own insurance?
What is completed operations coverage for contractors?
Does contractor insurance cover tools and equipment?
Can you help with certificates and additional insured requirements?
Do you insure contractors outside South Dakota?
Content reviewed by Nelson Insurance Agency, an independent insurance agency licensed in 42 states. Insurance availability and requirements vary by state, carrier, trade and contract.
Get a Contractor Quote
Tell us about your trade, projects, vehicles, employees and contract requirements. We'll compare contractor insurance options and help build a program around the way your business actually operates.
No obligation · Fast turnaround · Talk to a real agent
