Whether you’re a 1099 worker or you own your own contracting company, you know that there are tons of risks to worry about in your industry. There are also tons of regulations and expectations from your customers that you have to follow. One way you can put regulators and customers at ease is with the right insurance. But navigating contractors’ insurance can be tough and time-consuming, especially with such a busy schedule. So, here are some tips on how to get the best contractor insurance for your business.
1. Think about the risks you face
You know better than anyone that there are a lot of things that can go wrong with tools, materials, and certain job locations. So, you’ll need insurance that can help your cover the different types of work and job locations you’re around. Ask yourself these questions:
- What type of tools will I need for this job?
- Will I be working with light, medium, or heavy-duty tools?
- What type of environments am I willing to work in?
- Under what circumstances would a customer be able to sue me?
- Are my full-time, part-time, and temporary employees covered for potential injuries and damages?
- How much damage could be caused in a workplace accident?
- Am I operating out of an office building or remotely?
- Which licenses and insurance will I have to show a client to start working on a project?
A flexible profession means exposure to a wider range of risk. So, as a contractor, you’ll need to consider how you’ll be able to bounce back from a setback.
Protect your contracting business. Get a quick contractor insurance quote today.
2. Consider the coverages you might need
Once you’ve identified your risks, consider the insurance coverage you’ll need to protect your business from the fallout of these risks. Some of the basics are:
General liability
General liability for businesses typically handles everyday hazards like if a customer slips and falls at a company’s location. However, for contractors, this can be an especially important coverage because of the number of workplace hazards people can be exposed to. Let’s say that your client is on-site, overseeing or observing the project. If a piece of material hits and injures them, your general liability could help you cover the cost of their medical bills as well as any legal fees if they decide to sue your company.
Property
If you want coverage for a physical office location, property coverage can help pay for repairs from incidents like fire, lightning, windstorms, vandalism, and a whole bunch of other perils. Keep in mind, though, that things like flooding and earthquakes aren’t covered in a typical commercial property policy. So, you’ll need to purchase those separately.
Workers Compensation
You may be required to have workers comp. insurance if you have a certain number of employees. For contractors, this can be a great way to show your employees that you care about their wellbeing in a job that is a bit riskier than most. Workers’ comp can help pay for your employee’s medical bills if they’re injured on the job, plus a portion of their salary if they need time off to recover.
Crime & employee dishonesty insurance
Additionally, you may want to consider protecting your hard-earned money. Stolen funds can put you in a real pickle. So, you may want to think about crime and employee theft coverage if a thief or even one of your own employees takes off with your money.
Commercial auto insurance
Whether you use your own vehicle, are renting a vehicle, or your vehicle was purchased with company funds, you’ll need to consider commercial auto insurance. Most personal auto insurance policies don’t cover all the risks of using a car or truck for regularly transporting materials or people. Commercial auto and hired auto insurance can help keep your vehicle insured properly if you or one of your drivers were to get into an accident in a company vehicle.
You may also want to consider…
- Contractors tools and equipment coverage
- Installation floater
- Goods in transit
- Umbrella insurance
3. Get contractor insurance quotes
Ultimately, these may not even be all the coverages you need for your contracting business. Plus, researching different insurance policies can seem overwhelming. That’s why our agents are here to help you find quotes for customized contractor insurance. The process is super easy! We’ll take you through it step by step.
1. Fill out our online quote form, give us a call, or message us directly.
We want to make the process as easy as possible for you, starting with the first step. So, we’ve provided tons of ways to get in contact with us and start your quotes.
2. Have a short chat with one of our agents.
our agents will get to learn the ins and outs of your business. They’re great at listening to your needs and even reading between the lines to figure out which coverages are going to work for you.
3. Watch the quotes come in.
Once our professionals get to know your business, they’ll shop the right insurance policies for you. That way, you don’t have to sift through tons of coverage options alone or keep track of companies that you’ve already called. We’ll get in touch with the best of the best carriers for your business for you!
4. Review your customized quotes with your expert.
After you’ve reviewed the quotes they’ve gathered, your agent will reach out again to talk about the different options. They’ll answer any questions you have about the details of each quote and act as an advisor while helping you compare your options. After that, we’ll get everything finalized for you and send over any important insurance paperwork you need.
5. Contact us at any time.
Don’t worry. We’re not leaving you out to dry after you get your quotes. Our dedicated service team is here to answer any additional questions during your policy term. We’ll help you get any insurance information you may need for contracts, make changes to your policy, or even add coverage if needed. We even shop your rates year after year! So, you always get the best rates and coverage for your company as it grows.
We want to make sure that getting and working with your contractor insurance is as easy as possible. That’s why we work with you as advisors before, during, and after the process – so that you can make informed decisions about your coverage with the help of a professional . To start your best insurance experience, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with a contractor insurance professional today!