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Contractor Insurance: A Coverage Checklist

Prepare for a contractor insurance review by listing your work, subcontractors, vehicles, tools, and the coverage required by your contracts.

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Start with what happens on the job

Describe your trades, where you work, and whether jobs are residential or commercial. General liability can respond to certain third-party injuries or property damage. Ask how the policy treats the type of work you do, work completed before a claim, and damage to the part of a property you were hired to work on. Those details can matter more than the headline limit.

List workers, equipment, and vehicles

Tell your agent who does the work, including employees and subcontractors. Ask about workers’ compensation requirements in the states where you operate. Make an inventory of high-value tools and note when they are stored in a vehicle or moved between jobs. Bring a list of owned, rented, or employee vehicles used for the business so you can review the right auto coverage.

Bring the contract before you start

Share the insurance section of a bid or contract early, including any requested limits, additional insured terms, and certificate deadline. Ask the agent to compare the requirements with the actual policy and endorsements. A certificate summarizes evidence of insurance; it does not by itself change policy coverage.

Coverage depends on your policy’s terms, limits, and exclusions.

Sources and further reading

NAIC: Small business insurance
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