General Contractor Insurance
Insurance built for general contractors managing jobsites, subcontractors, employees, vehicles, equipment and the liability that comes with overseeing residential and commercial construction.
Managing the Job Means Managing the Risk
General contractors can be responsible for more than the work performed by their own employees. Every project can involve subcontractors, property owners, equipment, vehicles and multiple trades working on the same site.
A jobsite injury, damaged building, subcontractor issue or vehicle accident can become expensive quickly and may involve several parties.
General contractor insurance should be built around the way you actually manage projects, not around a generic contractor policy.
Jobsite Liability
Customers, visitors, subcontractors and employees can all be exposed to hazards at active construction sites.
Subcontractor Exposure
Work performed by subcontractors can create additional contractual and completed-operations exposures for the general contractor.
Property Damage
Construction work can damage existing structures, customer property or surrounding property during the course of a project.
Completed Operations
Problems may surface after a project is finished and the contractor has already left the jobsite.
What Insurance Does a General Contractor Need?
A general contractor insurance program is usually built from several policies. The right combination depends on your project types, employees, subcontractors, vehicles, equipment and contract requirements.
General Liability
Helps protect against covered third-party bodily injury and property damage claims arising from your operations, jobsites and completed work.
General Liability Insurance →Workers' Compensation
Helps provide benefits for covered work-related injuries and illnesses involving employees performing construction, supervision and other job duties.
Workers' Compensation →Commercial Auto
Coverage for pickups, work trucks, utility vehicles and other business vehicles used to transport employees, materials and equipment between projects.
Commercial Auto Insurance →Tools & Equipment
Inland marine or contractors equipment coverage can help protect eligible tools and portable equipment while at your shop, in transit or at a jobsite.
Commercial Umbrella
Provides additional liability limits over eligible underlying policies and can help satisfy larger contractual insurance requirements.
Builders Risk
Builders risk coverage may help protect eligible buildings and materials during construction, renovation or remodeling projects, depending on the project and policy.
Need a certificate or additional insured endorsement?
We understand additional insured requirements, waivers of subrogation, primary and noncontributory wording and other contract-driven insurance requirements common in construction.
Your Exposure Goes Beyond Your Own Employees
General contractors often coordinate multiple trades and subcontractors on the same construction project.
Even when another contractor performs the physical work, the general contractor may still face contractual requirements, allegations of negligent supervision or claims connected to the overall project.
Subcontractor management and proper insurance documentation can play an important role in the overall risk-management program.
- Certificates from subcontractors
- Additional insured requirements
- Written subcontractor agreements
- Completed operations exposure
- Jobsite safety requirements
- Contractual risk transfer
Insurance for Residential & Commercial General Contractors
Insurance company appetite can vary based on the types of projects you manage, your annual revenue, subcontractor costs and the work performed by your own employees.
Residential General Contractors
Contractors building, remodeling and managing residential construction projects.
Commercial General Contractors
Contractors overseeing offices, retail properties, warehouses, multifamily buildings and other commercial projects.
Remodeling Contractors
General contractors managing renovations, additions and major remodeling projects.
Custom Home Builders
Contractors coordinating trades and construction for custom residential building projects.
Tenant Improvement Contractors
Contractors performing interior renovations and build-outs for commercial tenants and property owners.
Multi-Crew Contractors
Established contracting businesses with employees, project managers, vehicles and multiple active jobsites.
Vehicles, Equipment & Crews Move Between Jobs Every Day
General contractors often rely on pickups, work trucks, trailers, tools and portable equipment to keep projects moving.
Vehicles may be driven by multiple employees, tools can move between jobsites, and expensive equipment may spend long periods away from a permanent business location.
- Pickup trucks
- Work trucks
- Utility trailers
- Power tools
- Portable equipment
- Multiple employee drivers
Insurance Requirements Can Determine Whether You Get the Job
General contractors frequently work under contracts that specify exactly what insurance must be carried before construction begins. Those requirements can affect your general liability, auto, workers' compensation and umbrella coverage.
- Additional insured status
- Primary and noncontributory wording
- Waiver of subrogation requirements
- Per-project aggregate requirements
- Higher umbrella limits
- Certificate of insurance requirements
- Subcontractor insurance requirements
- Completed operations requirements
How Much Does General Contractor Insurance Cost?
Insurance premiums vary significantly because no two general contractors operate exactly the same way.
A residential remodeler using mostly subcontractors can have a very different exposure from a commercial general contractor managing several large projects and dozens of employees.
Insurance companies evaluate the actual operation, project types, loss history and subcontractor usage before determining eligibility and pricing.
What We Need to Quote Your Contracting Business
Good information upfront helps us approach insurance companies that are a realistic fit for your type of contracting operation.
- Business name and location
- Years in business
- Description of operations
- Residential vs. commercial work
- Annual revenue
- Employee payroll
- Number of employees
- Subcontractor costs
- Trades subcontracted
- Largest project size
- Vehicle information
- Driver information
- Tools and equipment values
- Current insurance
- Prior loss runs
- States where you operate
Ready to Compare Coverage?
Tell us about your contracting operation and we'll help determine which insurance markets fit your business.
Start a General Contractor QuoteContractor Insurance Built Around the Actual Business
General contractors combine jobsite liability, subcontractor risk, commercial auto, workers' compensation and contract requirements. We look at the whole operation instead of treating every contractor the same.
Multiple Insurance Markets
As an independent agency, we can compare available insurance markets and look for an underwriting fit for your operation.
Contractor Experience
We understand subcontractors, additional insured requirements, completed operations, jobsite exposures and construction contracts.
Coverage Beyond Price
The lowest premium does not automatically mean the best contractor policy. Coverage, exclusions and underwriting fit matter.
One Agency for the Business
Liability, commercial auto, workers' compensation and other business coverages can be coordinated through one agency.
General Contractor Insurance FAQs
Common questions about general contractor liability insurance, subcontractors, workers' compensation, commercial auto and construction insurance requirements.
What insurance does a general contractor need?
Do general contractors need general liability insurance?
Are subcontractors covered by my general contractor insurance?
Should general contractors collect certificates from subcontractors?
Do general contractors need workers' compensation insurance?
Do general contractors need commercial auto insurance?
What is completed operations coverage for a general contractor?
How much does general contractor insurance cost?
Can Nelson insure general contractors outside South Dakota?
Protect the Business Behind Every Project
Whether you manage residential remodels, custom homes or larger commercial construction projects, we'll help you compare insurance options for your liability, employees, vehicles, equipment, subcontractors and contract requirements.
