Frequently asked questions

Your business name, trade, the states you work in, years in business, estimated payroll and revenue, number of employees, vehicles, and your recent claims history. If you have current policies, the declarations pages help.

Ideally 30 to 60 days before your current policy renews. That leaves time to review options before the renewal date.

No. A quote is not coverage. Coverage begins only when a policy is bound and issued.

A report from your current or past insurers listing your claims. Insurers often ask for three to five years of loss runs when quoting.

Most contractors carry general liability. Workers' compensation is required in most states once you have employees, and commercial auto covers the vehicles your business uses. Clients and general contractors often set minimum limits in their contracts.

No. Injuries to your own employees are covered by workers' compensation.

No. Tools and equipment are covered by a separate tools and equipment (inland marine) policy.

It adds liability limits above your general liability, auto and employer's liability policies, usually to meet contract requirements.

If your contract makes you responsible for the structure during construction, yes. The contract usually says whether the owner or the contractor buys it.

A one-page document that shows the policies you carry, their limits and their dates. Clients and general contractors usually ask for one before work begins.

The client or general contractor is added to your policy for claims arising from your work for them. It is added by endorsement, not by the certificate alone.

An agreement that your insurer will not try to recover from the client after paying a claim. Many contracts require it.

Use the certificate request form with the certificate holder's name and address and any contract requirements.

Each state sets its own rules. Most states require it once you have employees, and some apply stricter rules to construction.

After the policy year, the insurer reviews actual payroll and subcontractor costs and adjusts the premium.

A number that adjusts your workers' compensation premium based on your own claims history compared with similar businesses.