General Contractor Insurance, Built by Trade & Class Code

Most general contractors need general liability insurance at minimum, and workers' compensation as soon as they have employees. Many also carry tools & equipment (inland marine) coverage, commercial auto for work vehicles, and surety bonds if they're licensed or bidding public work. The right mix depends on your trade, state, and the contracts you sign.

Cost varies by trade, class code, payroll, revenue, claims history, and state. Lower-risk trades like handyman or small remodeling businesses typically see lower premiums than high-risk trades like roofing or excavation. The only way to get an accurate number is a quote built around your specific class code and business details.

A class code is a standardized number (NCCI or state-specific) that classifies the type of work your employees do. It's the single biggest factor in your workers' comp premium, because different trades carry different injury risk. Getting the right code matters — an incorrect code can mean overpaying or, worse, a coverage gap.

Yes. Our quote form lets you describe your trade even if you don't know your exact class code, and a licensed agent will identify the correct code for you as part of the quoting process.

General liability isn't universally required by state law, but it's almost always required by general contractors, property owners, and clients before they'll let you on a job site, and many local licensing boards require proof of coverage to issue or renew a contractor's license.

In nearly every state, workers' compensation is legally required once you have one or more employees (rules vary by state and by whether owners/officers are included). Operating without required workers' comp coverage can carry significant penalties.

Tools & equipment coverage — technically "inland marine" insurance — protects your tools, machinery, and portable equipment against theft, fire, and damage while on a job site, in transit, or in storage. Standard property insurance usually excludes mobile equipment, which is why this is a separate policy.

Insurance protects you and pays your claims. A surety bond is a three-party guarantee that protects your client or the public if you fail to meet a contractual or licensing obligation — and if a claim is paid out on your bond, you're generally responsible for reimbursing the surety.