Electrical Contractor Insurance: The Complete Guide

Business insurance. The thought of it is probably as pleasant as a jolt of electricity flowing through your fingers. And although that might sound like a shocking admission coming from an article that’s hosted on a small business insurance site, it’s the truth, right?

Why wouldn’t it feel that way? After all, you probably have more questions than answers. Like which policy is right for you. How much coverage do I need? How much will it cost? How do I even get it?

Fear not. Think of me as a current of information that leads you to the answers — and along the way makes the process of buying electrical contractor insurance that best fits your needs as painless as possible.

Ready to plug in? Let’s go!

Protect Yourself with Electrical Contractor Insurance

Face it, you’re not baking cupcakes for a living. You’re handling an invisible hazard — Electricity. You’re working in a high-risk environment that requires a high degree of skill, focus, and protection.

Protection not just from live wires and electrical shock but from all the potential injuries your profession can inflict, including: falls, musculoskeletal disorders, back troubles, and travel-related accidents.

On top of that, there’s the equipment you own, not to mention lawsuits that may arise from faulty workmanship or an on-site injury. The last thing you want is to show up in court without the right insurance. It could be catastrophic to your personal finances.

You’ve worked too hard for everything you have to let that happen. You want to make sure you’re being smart about protecting it all.

At Simply Business, we totally get it. That’s why we’ve made finding and buying electrical contractor insurance simple and easy. It usually takes just under 10 minutes online, or if you want to talk to a helpful human (one of our licensed insurance agents), you can give us a call at 844-654-7272, Monday through Friday, 8am to 8pm (ET).

Electrical Contractor Insurance Requirements

As an electrician, your line of work puts you at greater risk for damage and accidents. That’s why we highly recommend adding general liability insurance.

Another reason to get it? Most states require general contractors to carry proof of a general liability policy before issuing a license. If you’re not sure what your state requires, check out our handy state-by-state guide on how to get a contractor's license.

Is Electrical Contractor Insurance Necessary When You Aren't Working?

Even if you’re not working, chances are you’re looking for work or quoting jobs.

If that’s the case, some clients may ask to see proof of general liability insurance before they offer you any work. They need assurance that they’re protected in case of property damage or personal injury while you’re doing electrical work for them.

Plus, it can impress clients who might be on the fence about hiring you.

That means, yes, it’s best to have it.

How Much Does Electrical Contractor Insurance Cost?

Each electrician liability policy is unique and depends on many variables, including:

• The kind of work you’re doing
• The number of people you employ
• Payroll estimates
• The location of your business
• And more

To get a better idea of what it will cost you, try our online tool. We created it to help you quickly get a quote in less than 10 minutes.

We work with the nation’s top insurers. And that can be good for you in two ways. One, it gives us more places to look for your coverage. Two, it gives us the ability to shop for a price to fit your budget.

What Types of Insurance Does an Electrical Contractor Need?

We recommend coverage for risks not just to you, but to others, and for potential loss to your business. Here are the most common types:

General liability. Provides coverage against costs associated with third-party accidents, property damage, and bodily injury.

Professional liability. Provides coverage if your customer sues your business for negligence or mistakes made in providing your services.

Workers compensation. Protects you and your business if your employees get hurt, injured, or sick while working on the job.

Inland marine. Provides coverage for damaged or lost tools.

Business personal property. Laptops. Mobile phones. Inventory of materials and supplies. Equipment. Furniture. Fixtures. If you need or use these things to run your business, this type of insurance covers you.

How to Get Electrical Contractor Insurance.

Now that you know more about the different types of electrical contractor insurance, the next logical question is: Where do I get it?

A good place to start? Here at Simply Business.

We work with contractors and small business owners all the time. We’ll work with you to provide electrical contractor insurance policies tailored to your specific needs. All you have to do is choose the policy that works best for you. We take it from there.

Final Word: Full Protection Equals Total Peace of Mind.

There’s no question about it — dealing with electricity is risky business. But riskier yet is doing it without the right insurance coverages in place.

Hopefully after reading this article, you will have a better idea about the types of coverage you might need and — if you clicked on the link to the quote calculator — a better idea of how much it might cost.

At the end of the day, here’s the deal. Getting electrical contractor insurance is a must. But be smart about it.

Take the time to talk to an agent who’s willing to take the time to talk to you. Someone who understands contractor businesses, like yours — and who can ask the right questions, so you get the right answers quickly.

It’s the only way to get a policy that offers full protection. And total peace of mind.