Subcontractor Insurance
Find out what subcontractor insurance coverage you need. Compare policies from leading national insurers. Get a quote in minutes.
Over 1 million customers worldwide.
Buy instantly online.
Written by
Why Do Subcontractors Need Insurance?
As a subcontractor, every day comes with new challenges. And no matter how skilled you are, every job has its hazards. A dropped tool can damage a client’s property, a small misstep can lead to injury, and a contractor might hesitate to hire you without insurance coverage. But the right insurance policies can help protect you, open doors to more jobs, and keep your business standing when mishaps hammer hard.
What Type of Subcontractor Insurance Do I Need?
General Liability
A foundational insurance coverage to help handle costs from third-party accidents, property damage, and bodily injury.
From
$20.75
/month*
Workers’ Comp
Coverage to help take care of employees who get sick or injured on the job. Most states require this coverage for small businesses with full- or part-time employees. It also can benefit business owners who don’t have employees.
From
$38.91
/month*
Inland Marine Insurance
Also known as Equipment and Business Property insurance, this coverage can financially protect equipment and inventory that is in transport or stored off-site.
From
$20.83
/month‡
Contractor’s Errors & Omissions
Coverage for damages and legal costs for mistakes or negligence claims. This policy is often recommended for businesses that provide advice and guidance to their clients. It also can cover errors that result in unsatisfactory finished work.
From
$25.83
/month*
Business insurance —
a quick explainer
Learn more about policies for small businesses, what they cover, why you might need them, and how we can help – all in just 60 seconds.
Business insurance is often made up of different types of policies to cover different things, similar to how your health insurance can be made up of medical dental and vision coverage. Here are some of the ones small business owners need. General liability is kind of the Swiss army knife of insurance. It can do a lot, like help handle costs from third party accidents, property damage, bodily injury, and more. Nobody’s perfect, right? That’s what professional liability is for. It could come in handy in the event of honest mistakes or claims of negligence. Workers’ comp can protect your business and help take care of employees who get sick or injured on the job. Small businesses are big targets for cyber criminals. Cyber Insurance can help cover costs associated with stolen customer data, cyber attacks, breaches, and fraud. BOP or a business owners policy combines different types of coverages like general liability and commercial property insurance. Putting them together for you is where we come in. You tell us a bit about your business online or on the phone, and we customize the coverage options for what you do and what you need. It’s your business, it should be your insurance as well. That’s why we’re here.
What Does Subcontractor Insurance Cover?
From framing and drywall to electrical and finish work, subcontractors handle it all — and that comes with risks. We can help you choose the right coverages and policies to protect you from some of the most common risks:
You’re installing cabinetry when your drill slips and scratches the client’s custom hardwood floor. The damage is pricey, and the contractor expects you to pay for the repair. A general liability policy could help cover accidental damages to a client’s property and protect your business from out-of-pocket costs.
An overly aggressive marketing plan is seen as talking badly about the competition, and your client gets sued. An errors and omissions policy could help cover the cost of correcting the mistake and protect you from negligence claims.
While carrying paint cans up a stepladder, one of your crew members loses balance and falls, injuring their shoulder. Workers’ compensation insurance can help cover medical bills and lost wages as they recover.
This coverage is often legally required and protects your business from costly claims, while ensuring your crew gets the care they need. Even if you work solo, workers’ comp is worth considering, since some health insurance policies won’t cover work-related injuries.
You’re a busy wedding photographer, which means your gear and equipment are often on the go. What if someone steals your camera, lights, and other items? An inland marine policy could help pay to replace or repair stolen or damaged equipment when on the move.
What Does Subcontractor Insurance Cost
Try our insurance calculator.
Get a quick estimate in just 3 steps.
Answers to More Subcontractor Insurance Coverage Questions
Most states require you to carry workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees. There also may be licensing requirements that require certain liability coverages. We recommend checking with your state and local governments for subcontractor insurance requirements.
The cost for insurance coverage is determined largely by the type of work you do, the types of risks you’re exposed to, the square footage of your office, and the number of employees you have.
Some other factors can include where your office is located, how many years of experience you have, and your annual revenue.
We can help find the coverages and prices online for subcontractor insurance.
If you’re thinking of buying subcontractor insurance, we recommend having the following information on hand when using our subcontractor insurance calculator:
- State where you do business
- Your type of business or trade
- Annual revenue estimate
This information can make it easier to get a quote from one of our insurers.
Small business insurance is what we do. Whether it’s covering you for accidents and mistakes, meeting workers’ comp requirements, or protecting your shop and your tools and equipment, we can help find the coverage you need for your subcontractor business.
We provide customized coverage options and quotes from top-rated small business insurers — all in just 10 minutes. More than 1 million small business owners worldwide trust us with their insurance, and we consistently earn high customer ratings and reviews.
Why Small Businesses Choose Simply Business
Small business insurance is what we do. Whether it’s covering you for accidents and errors, meeting workers’ comp requirements, or financially protecting your business from the unexpected, we can help find the coverage you need for your business.
Start your quote
Answer a few questions about
your business in one form.
Review quotes
Compare quotes side by side from top-rated insurers and customize your coverage.
Get protected in minutes
Choose your policy, and get instant proof of insurance – all online, and all within 10 minutes.
Written by
Our +1 million customers are big fans. And you will be too.
I went online, looked around, and found Simply Business. The process was so seamless. I got my certificate within minutes. It was just phenomenal.
Karen
Owner of Tangaza Bath & Body Studio LLC
With Simply Business I know I can look at different carriers, but also see all my stuff in the same place… a lot of [insurance] providers don’t offer a variety of coverage, all in one place.
Jef
Owner of Bunker83 LLC
It wasn’t overwhelming to figure out what was covered and what wasn’t covered. And the cost was competitive.
Kim
Owner of Room to Breathe Professional Organizing
Feel confident in your choice.
We partner with a range of top-rated carriers and use smart technology to match you with policies that fit your specific business, your risks, and budget.
400+
business types covered
1M+
customers worldwide
18
top-rated carriers
We’ve Got More Helpful Information
*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.
‡ Displayed price is based on the lowest available coverage limit for Equipment and Small Tools policies.
Page last updated: