Who does Contractor Insurance cover?
Contractor Insurance from Thimble is customized to meet your needs. We cover the following professions and activities:
- Alarm Systems Installation & Repair
- Appliance installation
- Artisan contractors
- Builders & Tradesmen
- Carpentry
- Carpet Cleaners
- Debris Removal
- Drywall contractors
- Electrical
- Fire Alarm Installation
- Glaziers
- Glass Installation
- Gutter Cleaning
- Handypersons
- HVAC Installation & Repair
- Interior Painting
- Locksmiths
- Painting & Siding
- Surveyors
- Swimming Pool Servicing
- Upholstering
- Welding
Not seeing your profession or activity? Search to get covered!
Quick thinking insurance for small businesses.
Quick thinking insurance for small businesses.
Quick thinking insurance for small businesses.
Quick thinking insurance for small businesses.
Quick thinking insurance for small businesses.
Quick thinking insurance for small businesses.
Quick thinking insurance for small businesses.
Quick thinking insurance for small businesses.
General Liability Insurance
General liability insurance or “CGL” provides coverage against third-party claims for property damage, bodily injury, and personal and advertising injury. That means the everyday accidents that can happen on the job: slip and falls, flying tools, or spilling coffee on a customer’s laptop—you get the idea. CGL is one of the most basic types of insurance for small businesses.
Business Equipment Protection
Business Equipment Protection is a type of first-party insurance that covers business equipment that you own, rent or borrow and is used in connection with your business. (Other insurance companies for small businesses call it inland marine insurance, but we like to keep things clear and simple.)
What does Contractor Insurance cover?
General liability insurance for contractors protects your business when on-the-job incidents end up causing third-party bodily injury or property damage as well as personal and advertising injury. It provides investigation, defense, and settlement for these claims related to scenarios like the following:
Non-employee, third-party bodily injury
You’re overseeing work at a client’s property restoring their hardwood floors. When coming to check on your team’s progress, the client steps on a loose floorboard, falls, and sustains an injury. You’ll be glad you have general contractor insurance to help pay their medical costs.
Third-party property damage
As someone that renders professional services, it’s normal to visit clients’ offices and homes. Should you accidentally damage their property while on site, you could be liable.
Personal and advertising injury
If a competitor claims that you violated their copyright by using their slogan in your advertising, your Contractor Insurance will arrange your legal defense and pay settlement amounts. (Even if the claim is false, going to court can sink you financially.)
Business Equipment Protection
With most general liability coverages, if your job specifically requires you to handle a client’s property, and it is damaged, you could be held liable due to a nuanced exclusion.
Suppose you’re mounting a client’s television and it accidentally drops on the floor. The big dent you just put in the floor may be covered by contractor business insurance, but the broken television may not be.
That’s why we made Customer Property Protection available with all of our general liability products. It’s designed to further protect you on the job, so you can do what you do best. (In technical terms, we’ve removed the exclusion for property damage to property in your care, custody, and control from our general liability offering—but don’t overthink it).
Why do you need contractor liability insurance?
Showing proof of contractor business insurance is usually required to meet licensing requirements, which you’ll need to bid on certain jobs. Although contractor licensing requirements often vary by state, for a general contractor, some common contractor licensing requirements include:
- Proof of experience over a certain period of time
- Proof of surety bond
- Proof of insurance
- Passing of trade, business, and law exams
- Registering with state or local departments
How much does general liability insurance cost for contractors?
General liability insurance for contractors protects your business when on-the-job incidents end up causing third-party bodily injury or property damage as well as personal and advertising injury. It provides investigation, defense, and settlement for these claims related to scenarios like the following:
Non-employee, third-party bodily injury
You’re overseeing work at a client’s property restoring their hardwood floors. When coming to check on your team’s progress, the client steps on a loose floorboard, falls, and sustains an injury. You’ll be glad you have general contractor insurance to help pay their medical costs.
Personal and advertising injury
If a competitor claims that you violated their copyright by using their slogan in your advertising, your Contractor Insurance will arrange your legal defense and pay settlement amounts. (Even if the claim is false, going to court can sink you financially.)
Third-party property damage
As someone that renders professional services, it’s normal to visit clients’ offices and homes. Should you accidentally damage their property while on site, you could be liable.
With most general liability coverages, if your job specifically requires you to handle a client’s property, and it is damaged, you could be held liable due to a nuanced exclusion.
Suppose you’re mounting a client’s television and it accidentally drops on the floor. The big dent you just put in the floor may be covered by contractor business insurance, but the broken television may not be.
That’s why we made Customer Property Protection available with all of our general liability products. It’s designed to further protect you on the job, so you can do what you do best. (In technical terms, we’ve removed the exclusion for property damage to property in your care, custody, and control from our general liability offering—but don’t overthink it).
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation covers the costs related to your employees’ workplace injuries and illnesses, and it’s required in just about every state. Your team is your most valuable asset, so it’s crucial that you protect your business and team.
Commercial Property Insurance
Commercial property insurance covers costs as a result of direct physical loss or damage to a building or its contents in situations like a fire or windstorm. Even your accounts receivable can be protected by commercial property coverage.
Auto liability insurance
Commercial auto liability insurance protects you against the risks associated with vehicles your business owns and operates.
How to get Contractor Insurance
Any job site is filled with potential hazards. Fortunately, there are measures you can take to reduce your overall risk exposure. That’s why you may be wondering how to get contractor insurance. Here are a few reasons to get a Thimble quote today:
- Get construction insurance that works on your schedule. Whether you need insurance by the job, month, or year, you’re covered with Thimble.
- Our business insurance for contractors can come with Business Equipment Protect, whether using your own equipment or a client’s.
- Thimble’s blanket contractors’ equipment insurance means any gear valued under $2,500/item is covered on a blanket basis. Gone is the traditional “scheduled equipment coverage.”
Don’t let a liability claim demolish your business. Instead, let Thimble be your hardhat.
Ready to get started? Just click “Get a Quote” or download the Thimble app, answer a few questions, and we’ll generate an instant quote. Click to purchase and your policy and Certificate of Insurance (COI) will be sent to your inbox. We’ll send you as many COIs as you need and when you need them at no additional charge. Now go and be a boss.
Contractor Insurance FAQs
Does Thimble’s Contractor Insurance cover builder’s risk?
Not yet. Builder’s risk is a type of property insurance that protects against the loss or damage to structures under construction, including the materials or equipment intended to become a permanent part of that structure. For example, if a building catches fire or sustains wind damage before it’s complete, builder’s risk insurance would respond.
Builder’s risk insurance is not included in the general liability insurance for contractors arranged by Thimble. It is considered a type of property insurance.
Are independent contractors and subcontractors covered by my General Contractor liability insurance?
No. Your Contractor Insurance does not cover subcontractors or independent contractors you hire when operating as a General Contractor. Each independent subcontractor will need to have their own contractor or subcontractor general liability insurance policy. Usually, states don’t have subcontractor insurance requirements. However, it’s a good idea to consider buying subcontractor liability insurance to safeguard your business and meet contractual requirements.
Would a subcontractor’s general liability policy cover general contractors?
Yes, we provide general contractor insurance. However, the general contractor who hires you is not covered for their liability under your Contractor Insurance policy. However, you can add them as Additional Insureds to your policy, as commonly required by contract.
Quick-thinking insurance for fast-moving businesses.
Simple.
Fewer questions. More options. Buy a policy online, in the app, or over the phone in minutes. Get to work before the other guys even call you back.
Scalable.
Any size. Every stage. Get coverage by the job, month, or year. Choose how you pay, then upgrade when business really takes off.
Flexible.
Total Control. Seamless edits. Modify, pause, or cancel instantly, whether work slows down or hiring picks up.
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