Building, Construction
& Tradesperson Insurance
From general contractors and builders to electricians, plumbers, roofers, and solo handymen, find your trade below, see what coverage construction businesses typically need, and compare insurance quotes from top-rated carriers.
Find your trade
Select your trade to see coverage details, common contract requirements, and quote options specific to your work.
General Contracting
General ContractorFrom $20.83/month*
BuilderFrom $20.83/month*
Home Improvement ContractorFrom $20.83/month*
Specialist Trades
HVAC ContractorFrom $20.83/month*
Door & Window InstallationFrom $20.83/month*
Concrete ContractorsFrom $20.83/month*
Sheet Metal WorkersFrom $20.83/month*
Steel ErectorsFrom $20.83/month*
Site Prep & Civil
Water Well DrillingFrom $20.83/month*
Other
Home InspectorFrom $20.83/month*
Satellite TV InstallerFrom $20.83/month*
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What Insurance Do Construction Businesses Need?
Most construction businesses start with general liability insurance — it’s the coverage clients, general contractors, and licensing boards ask for most. Many states require proof of insurance to get or renew a contractor’s license. Check your state licensing requirements, or see our guide to getting a contractor’s license in New York for an example of how the rules work.
Some states also require a contractor license bond before you can work. A bond isn’t insurance — it helps protect your client or the state if you don’t fulfill your obligations, while insurance can help protect your business. Many contractors carry both.
General Liability
General liability insurance (GL) can help cover third-party claims of bodily injury or property damage — like if a client trips over your extension cord, or a dropped tool cracks a granite countertop. It’s also the coverage you’ll usually need to have before you can sign contracts, pull permits, and start work.
Best for every construction business with:
- The need to sign contracts and pull permits
- Third-party injury and property damage claims
Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)
What it covers: A Business Owner’s Policy bundles general liability with commercial property coverage, often at a lower cost than buying each policy separately. That means protection for your shop, office, or stored materials, plus coverage for third-party claims.
Best for businesses with a workshop, office, or stored materials that need:
- Protection for your gear and coverage for third-party claims in one policy
- Bundling liability and property coverage at a lower cost
Workers’ Comp
If an employee is injured on the job, workers’ compensation insurance can help cover their medical bills and a portion of their lost wages. Most states require it by law once you hire your first employee — and construction requirements are often stricter than other industries.
Best for contractors with:
- Clients or contracts that require coverage
- Employee medical bills and lost wages after an injury
- A need to meet state requirements once you’re hired
Tools & Equipment Insurance
Tools and equipment coverage — also known as inland marine insurance — can help repair or replace your gear when it’s damaged or stolen, whether it’s on the job site, in transit, or in your truck overnight.
Best for tradespeople who might have:
- Equipment damaged in transit or on-site
- Tools stolen from your truck or the job site
Professional Liability
Professional liability insurance — also called errors and omissions (E&O) insurance — can help cover claims that your advice, designs, or project management caused a client a financial loss. It can help pay both the damages you may owe and your legal defense costs — even if you overturn the allegations made against you.
Best for engineers, home inspectors, project managers, and design-build contractors with:
- Legal defense costs, even where you prevail on the claims
- Claims over design errors or project management mistakes
How Much Does Construction Insurance Cost?
There’s no single price for construction insurance — your premium reflects your specific business and the work you do, among several other factors. When insurers calculate your quote, they typically look at:
- Your trade — roofing and steel work carry different risks than handyman services
- The number of employees on your crew and your payroll
- The value of your tools, equipment, and vehicles
- Whether you work on residential projects, commercial projects, or both
- Your annual revenue
- Where you work — requirements and rates vary by state
- The coverage types and limits you choose
Here’s a snapshot of what Simply Business customers in construction trades pay for general liability insurance — the foundation policy for most businesses:
| Policy | Median Monthly Cost1 |
|---|---|
| Remodeler | $85 |
| General contractor | $82 |
| Handyperson | $51 |
| Electrician | $36 |
1Data from Simply Business customers in the designated trades who purchased a general liability policy from July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. Median costs are shown for illustrative purposes only; actual premiums vary by state, coverage limits, and individual business risk.
The fastest way to learn your price is to compare quotes for your specific business — it takes just a few minutes. You can also explore our contractor insurance options, or see our general liability insurance cost guide for a closer look at what businesses like yours pay.
How to Get Covered with Simply Business
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Answer a few questions about the work you do.your business in one form.
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Answers to More Questions About Small Business Insurance
Most start with general liability insurance, because it’s what clients, general contractors, and licensing boards request most often. Depending on your work, you may also need workers’ compensation insurance (required by law in most states once you have employees), tools and equipment coverage for your gear, a BOP to protect your shop or office, and professional liability insurance if your work includes designs or professional advice.
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*The displayed price for each product is a monthly estimate calculated from the 10th percentile of relevant policies sold by Simply Business (e.g., General Liability data is used for General Liability estimates). This estimate uses data from relevant policy sales between July–December 2025. Final price and payment terms, which may include an initial down payment, are subject to change based on your state, selected insurance provider, and specific business details.
† Limits may vary by state and nature of your business.
‡Displayed price is based on the lowest available coverage limit for Equipment and Small Tools policies.