Get Subcontractor Insurance That Protects You on the Jobsite

As a subcontractor, you’re used to going to where the job needs you. Shouldn’t your business insurance be as flexible as you are?

Simply Business thinks so!

That’s why our subcontractor insurance provides you the coverage you need, with policies that can include general liability insurance, plus protection for your tools and equipment. Each policy is designed to protect you from the biggest risks you face as a subcontractor, like property damage and accidents.

Best of all, we’ve made it very easy to get covered. Find and compare quotes from top insurers online, or give one of our licensed insurance agents a call for hands-on assistance. We’ve got your back, so you can get back to your business faster.

Ready to get covered?

What Kind of Insurance Does a Subcontractor Need?

• General liability insurance
• Workers compensation insurance

Benefits:

• It can protect your business from certain claims.
• Proof of insurance can help contractors feel good about working with you.
• It may be legally required where you’re located.
• You may need it to get a contractor license

What Insurance Does a Subcontractor Need?

Subcontractor insurance needs can vary depending on the type of work you do and if you have any employees. Additionally, the contractor you’re working with may require you to have a specific policy, which means it may be best to bundle your subcontractor insurance with the following common policies for businesses in your industry.

General Liability Insurance for Subcontractors

General liability insurance — also known as commercial general liability (CGL) insurance — covers you and your business in case of third-party damages, accidents, and/or lawsuits. For example, if you accidentally shatter a customer’s bay window with your ladder, you may not have to pay for the damages out-of-pocket because your policy could cover them.

As another example, let’s say you’re hired by a general contractor to help with wiring on a home remodeling project. You don’t complete the work correctly, so when the customer turns on their brand-new appliances, it short circuits and completely ruins them all. Your GL policy can cover the costs associated with these claims (up to your policy limits).

That also means the general contractor who hired you doesn’t have to worry, as your policy may be responsible for covering the damages.

Speaking of which, many companies and contractors won’t work with subcontractors if they don’t have general liability insurance, so it’s a good idea to have this protection in place.

General liability insurance usually covers:

• Bodily injury
• Third-party property damage
• Personal and advertising injury
• Medical expenses
• And more

General liability insurance usually doesn’t cover:

• Damage to your own property
• Professional services
• Workers compensation or injury to your employees
• Known claims or potential claims

Workers Compensation Insurance

If you have employees, you may need workers compensation insurance. That’s because some states usually mandate that small businesses with employees carry it, plus most contractors won’t hire you if you don’t have it.

Here’s how it works: If an employee gets injured on the job, workers comp insurance can cover resulting medical costs and lost wages. If the employee needs rehab or has ongoing medical costs, your policy can continue to provide coverage.

These costs can be devastating for a subcontractor, as it’s estimated that the average work injury claim amounts to $41,000. Without this coverage, you’d have to pay these expenses out of your own pocket – and that could be catastrophic for your business.

Finally, carrying workers compensation can provide much-needed security, as having this coverage may prevent an employee from suing your subcontracting business for workplace injuries.

Workers compensation insurance usually covers:

• Medical payments
• Lost wages
• Rehabilitation expenses
• Death benefits

What If A Subcontractor Does Not Have Insurance?

As a subcontractor, no two days are alike. You may be spending one day on a home remodeling project, then the next helping a general contractor work on several condos. That unpredictability may make it hard to justify the cost of business insurance – after all, why have it if you may not need it every day?

The truth is, as a subcontractor, business insurance can unlock a world of work for you. If you’re wondering what if a subcontractor does not have insurance? Consider the following:

• Other contractors may not want to take on the liability of having you on the job site if you don’t have your own insurance policy.

• Customers may not feel comfortable having you work on their residential or commercial projects without business insurance.

• Depending on the line of work you’re in, your state may require you to have a contractor’s license – and you may need to show proof of business insurance to get one. Learn more about how to get a contractor’s license in your state.

• It can give you significant peace of mind if you get sued. And with 43% of small businesses reporting being threatened with a lawsuit over the last ten years, it may come in handy!

• Your personal finances can be better protected with business insurance, as your policy can cover costs associated with claims of property damage or third-party accidents.

Don’t let a lack of business insurance hold you back from growing your business the way it deserves. With Simply Business, you can compare free quotes from the nation’s top insurers and buy a policy, 100% online.

Plus, we can provide you with a certificate of insurance (COI), so you can start showing proof of coverage right away.

That’s how we make business insurance, well, simple!

Subcontractor Insurance FAQs

Finding subcontractor insurance may feel like a hassle, but we can help simplify the process. Check out our answers to the most frequently asked questions about business insurance, including how to tell if you need it.

Why Choose Simply Business?

Simply Business is an online business insurance brokerage that makes it easy to compare and buy policies from top insurers. We have over a decade of experience making business coverage clear and simple for our customers.

We pride ourselves on making business insurance:

• Fast and Affordable: You have better things to focus on, like running your business. Our policies are fast, affordable, and ready when you are.

• Tailored to You: Forget one-size-fits-all insurance. Get the protection your business needs, when you need it most.

• Flexible with Coverage: Whether you need increased coverage for the busy season or policies for a large project, Simply Business can help.

After all, you’ve worked hard to build your subcontracting business. That’s why we offer the best coverage to protect it!

This content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide legal, tax, accounting, investment, or any other form of professional advice.