General Contractors Insurance
You carry the liability for every sub on your job site. Get coverage built for that exposure.
As a general contractor, you're the party of record on the permit, the point of contact for the property owner, and — in most jurisdictions — the entity carrying the greatest liability exposure on the job, regardless of which subcontractor actually caused the damage or injury. That's why GC insurance programs are built differently than a single-trade policy: they need to respond to claims that originate from your own crew, from a subcontractor you hired, or from a completed project years after you've moved on to the next job.
Most general contractor insurance programs at ContractorInsurance.io combine general liability, workers compensation for any employees on your own payroll, tools and equipment coverage for company-owned assets moving between sites, and the bonds your state, county, or awarding GC requires before you can bid. We build the program around how many jobs you run concurrently, whether you self-perform work or manage subs exclusively, and your typical contract size.
Risk Exposures
What Insurers Look At for General Contractors
Subcontractor Liability
You can be named in a claim even when a sub caused the damage — additional insured requirements and contractual risk transfer matter here.
Multi-Site Exposure
Running several active jobs at once multiplies your liability surface and your equipment theft/damage risk.
Completed Operations
Claims can surface years after a project wraps — a leaking roof or faulty wiring discovered long after handoff.
Permit & Bond Requirements
Most municipalities require a license or permit bond before you can even pull a permit.
Recommended Coverage
Coverage Built for General Contractors
General Liability
Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage claims, including claims arising from subcontracted work performed under your supervision.
Workers Compensation
Required in nearly every state the moment you have employees — covers medical costs and lost wages for on-the-job injuries.
Tools & Equipment
Inland marine coverage for company trucks, trailers, generators, and hand/power tools moving between job sites.
Contractor Bonds
License bonds, permit bonds, and performance/payment bonds required to legally operate and bid larger contracts.
Cost Factors
What Affects Your General Contractors Premium
- Annual revenue and contract volume
- Number of employees and payroll
- Types of subcontractors you hire and whether they carry their own coverage
- Claims history
- States you operate in
Typical Range
$1,200–$4,500/yr for GL alone on a small-to-mid GC; full programs with WC and bonds vary by payroll and bond amount.
Every business is different — the only way to get an accurate number is a real quote based on your revenue, payroll, and claims history.
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General Contractors Insurance Questions
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