General Liability Insurance
Covers third-party injury and property damage claims that arise from your work or your subcontractors' work.
How it worksConstruction & Trades
Insurance for General Contractors
Protection that keeps your projects, crews, and contracts moving forward.
One application, shopped to our A-rated carrier network. Number of offers depends on carrier appetite for your class, state, and loss history.
What underwriters look at
General contractors sit at the center of every job, coordinating subcontractors, materials, and schedules while carrying the ultimate responsibility when something goes wrong. Property owners and lenders typically require proof of insurance before a shovel ever hits the ground, and most contracts specify minimum limits you must carry throughout the project.
Because you supervise work performed by others, your liability exposure often extends beyond your own crew's mistakes to include subcontractor errors, delayed completion, and property damage claims that surface long after a project wraps. A single lawsuit tied to a structural issue or injury can threaten a contracting business that otherwise runs profitably.
The right insurance program is usually built around a handful of core policies, layered with contract-driven add-ons like additional insured endorsements and builder's risk coverage for projects under construction. Providers vary widely in how they underwrite contractor risk, so comparing multiple quotes tends to reveal meaningful differences in price and terms.
Subcontractor liability
When a subcontractor's work causes damage or injury, the general contractor is often named in the resulting claim, even without direct fault.
Jobsite injuries
Falls, equipment accidents, and struck-by incidents are common on active sites and can trigger both workers' comp and liability claims.
Property damage during builds
Fire, theft, or weather damage to a structure under construction can halt a project and create disputes over who bears the cost.
Contractual delay claims
Missed deadlines tied to an insured event may expose contractors to penalty clauses or breach-of-contract disputes with owners.
The coverage stack for general contractors
Most owners in this class start here. A licensed agent will confirm what your contracts, state, and payroll actually require.
Workers' Compensation Insurance
Required in most states once you have employees and covers injuries sustained on the jobsite.
How it worksCommercial Auto Insurance
Protects trucks and trailers hauling crews, tools, and materials between job sites.
How it worksCommercial Property Insurance
Covers owned tools, equipment, and office or yard structures against theft and damage.
How it worksCommercial Umbrella Insurance
Adds extra liability limits above your GL and auto policies for large-loss jobs.
How it worksWhat it typically costs
General contractor insurance costs vary based on revenue, trade mix, and how much work you subcontract out versus self-perform.
| Business size | Typical annual range |
|---|---|
Solo/owner-operator Typically for a GL and workers' comp package with light equipment values. | $2,500 – $6,000 / yr |
5–15 employees Reflects payroll-driven workers' comp costs and higher liability limits often required by contracts. | $8,000 – $22,000 / yr |
15+ employees / multi-crew Larger revenue, more vehicles, and umbrella coverage typically drive premiums higher. | $25,000 – $75,000+ / yr |
Illustrative ranges only. Premium varies by state, carrier, limits, payroll, and loss history — it is not a quote.
What moves your premium
- Annual payroll and number of employees
- Percentage of work subcontracted versus self-performed
- Claims history and years in business
- Types of projects (residential vs. commercial vs. specialty)
- Equipment and vehicle values
- Contractual insurance requirements from clients
General Contractors insurance questions
Ready to compare general contractors quotes?
One application. Up to 10 competing quotes from A-rated carriers. A licensed agent presents your best options, usually within one business day.