General Contractor Insurance

General contractors need general liability with strong completed-operations and subcontractor risk-transfer, workers' comp, commercial auto, builders risk, and an umbrella. The two biggest underwriting issues are subcontractor certificates and residential construction-defect.

Key exposures for general contractors

• Uninsured subcontractors picked up at audit
• Residential / tract / new construction (construction-defect)
• Completed-operations claims after the project
• Height and below-grade work
• Wrap-up (OCIP/CCIP) jobs

Coverages a general contractor typically needs

General liability with ongoing and completed-operations additional-insured wording, written subcontractor agreements and COIs/waivers, builders risk, workers' comp, an umbrella, and professional liability if you do design-build.

Workers' comp note

Your workers' comp depends on the trades you self-perform; collecting sub certificates keeps uninsured subs off your payroll at audit. See workers' comp in California and how your X-Mod works.

FAQ

Do general contractors need certificates of insurance from subs?

Yes. Without certificates, uninsured subcontractors can be added to your payroll at audit and treated as your exposure on claims.

Why does residential work cost more to insure?

Residential and tract/new construction carry construction-defect exposure that surfaces years later, so carriers underwrite it more strictly.

General information from Focus West Insurance Solutions (CA Lic. #0M32679), not coverage advice; CSLB classes and coverage availability vary by operation and carrier. Related: contractor insurance · general liability · certificates of insurance · quick quote.