Rules for contractors & trades
Paving contractors operate under general contractor or specialty licensing requiring $500K–$1M GL, workers' comp, and a surety bond in most states.
Gutter contractors operate under general contractor licensing that requires $300K–$1M general liability, workers' comp, and a surety bond in most states.
Most states require $1M GL for an irrigation contractor license. Completed operations water damage — leaking zone valves and burst laterals — is the highest-frequency claim type, and backflow preventer failures create contamination liability that can reach far beyond the cost of the original installation.
Demolition contractors face some of the highest insurance costs in construction — structural collapse, asbestos exposure, and debris claims require $2M/$4M GL, Code 5057 workers' comp, and Contractor's Pollution Liability for any pre-1978 structure.
Tile contractors need $1M/$2M general liability and statutory workers' compensation under NCCI Code 5348 to access job sites. Completed operations water infiltration and OSHA's Silica Standard create the distinct insurance profile of the tile trade.
Framing contractors need $1M GL, statutory workers' comp under NCCI Code 5645, and commercial auto to access most GC job sites. Framing carries one of the highest WC rates in construction — $10–$22 per $100 payroll — due to fall risk and nail gun injuries.
Excavation contractors face some of the highest workers comp rates in construction — cave-ins, equipment rollovers, and utility strikes drive $1M GL and Code 6217 WC requirements on every commercial dig.
Welding contractors need general liability and workers compensation — fire damage from stray sparks and long-tail occupational disease claims from metal fumes make this trade a distinct insurance risk.
Masonry contractors typically need general liability at $1M per occurrence, workers comp, and a surety bond for state licensing. Completed operations coverage is essential given the latent structural claim risk from brick, block, and stone work.
Flooring contractors need general liability, workers compensation, and a license bond in many states. Moisture damage and subfloor claims are the top GL exposure — commercial property managers require $1M coverage before dispatching work.
Over-wetting, chemical damage, and equipment-caused water intrusion are the top GL claims for carpet cleaners — and commercial property managers require $1M GL plus workers' comp before dispatching a single work order.
Drywall contractors need $1M GL to access most commercial job sites, workers' comp is required in 49 states once any employee is hired, and standard GL policies sometimes exclude completed operations defects — the most common claim in this trade.
Fence contractors must carry workers' comp in 49 states once any employee is hired, and standard GL policies often exclude underground utility strike claims — the most common costly event in this trade. Here's what fence installers need.
Most states require $500K–$1M general liability insurance to obtain a commercial pesticide applicator license. Standard GL policies exclude pesticide pollution claims — operators also need Contractors Pollution Liability to cover chemical drift and fumigation exposure.
General liability is not legally required for window cleaners but is contractually mandatory for virtually every commercial account. High-rise work above 4 stories requires specialty underwriting — standard GL carriers often won't write it.
Most states require concrete contractors to carry $1M general liability insurance to obtain a license. Here's what coverage you need, how bond requirements vary by state, and what happens if you work uninsured.
Solar installers need $1M–$2M general liability, workers' comp, and a contractor license bond in most states. Battery storage work requires explicit GL endorsements — many standard policies exclude it.
Pool contractors need general liability ($1M+), workers' comp, and a surety bond in most states. Installation work requires higher limits — and completed operations coverage is critical for leak claims.
Pressure washing creates high property damage risk on every job. General liability, commercial auto, and equipment coverage are essential — and most GL policies exclude chemical runoff claims without a pollution endorsement.
Most states don't require painter insurance, but clients do. Learn what general liability, workers' comp, and commercial auto coverage painters need, plus typical costs.
Carpenters need general liability insurance for most jobs. Learn what coverage carpenters need, typical costs, bonding requirements, and state-by-state licensing rules.
Tree service businesses need general liability, workers' comp, and equipment coverage due to high-risk work. Learn requirements, typical costs, and state licensing rules.
Most states don't require landscaper insurance, but clients do. Learn what coverage landscaping businesses need, typical costs, and state licensing requirements.
Most states don't legally require handyman insurance — but property managers, apartment complexes, and clients increasingly demand it. Here's what you actually need and what it costs.
Most states require licensed HVAC contractors to carry general liability insurance and surety bonds. Learn what coverage you need, typical costs, and state-by-state requirements.
Roofing contractors face higher insurance requirements due to elevated risk. Learn what coverage roofers need, typical costs, and state-by-state requirements.
Most states require licensed plumbers to carry general liability insurance and surety bonds. Learn what coverage you need, typical costs, and state-by-state requirements.
Most states require general contractors to carry liability insurance and surety bonds. Learn coverage requirements, typical costs, and what commercial clients expect.
Most states require electricians to carry general liability insurance and surety bonds. Learn what coverage you need, typical costs, and state-by-state requirements.
Browse insurance requirement guides across other coverage areas
State minimum auto coverage rules
Insurance rules for businesses
Professional & general liability rules
Country-specific travel rules
Insurance for motorcycles, boats & more
Legal and regulatory insurance rules
Side-by-side insurance requirement comparisons
Insurance requirements for delivery & rideshare drivers
Electricians, plumbers, roofers, handymen, HVAC, and more — insurance rules by state and industry.
All guides are written by the Coverage Criteria editorial team and verified against official government and regulatory sources. We translate complex insurance rules into plain language so you know exactly what coverage is required — without needing a lawyer.