Contractor Business Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages a contractor business business may carry — core, prevalent, and situational — why each matters, and the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current policy and check the box next to any coverage you can confirm is already in place — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor. Coverage checklist for specialty trade contractors. Priorities reflect typical exposure; confirm against the trade and customer contracts.
Tick each coverage you can confirm you carry — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Have it? | Coverage | Why this business needs it | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial General Liability (incl. Products-Completed Operations) | Covers injuries and damage during work and after it's finished. | Core | |
| Workers' Compensation | Required in most states — falls and tool injuries drive construction claims. | Core | |
| Commercial Auto | Covers work trucks and trailers. | Core | |
| Contractor's Equipment / Inland Marine | Covers tools and equipment on job sites and in transit. | Prevalent | |
| Umbrella / Excess Liability | Adds limits many GCs and owners require. | Prevalent |
The coverage gap most often missed
The most commonly missed gap for this class is completed-operations coverage that matches the contracts signed. GCs and owners often require additional-insured status for completed work, primary and non-contributory wording, and waivers of subrogation — endorsements a basic policy may not include. Contractors should compare every contract's insurance requirements to their policy before signing.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your contractor business coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Contractor Business Insurance · Contractor Business Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a contractor business business need?
The core coverages for a contractor business business are Commercial General Liability (incl. Products-Completed Operations), Workers' Compensation, Commercial Auto. This checklist also lists the prevalent and situational coverages worth considering, with a plain-English note on why each matters.
Is this checklist insurance advice?
No. It is a free educational tool to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed professional. It affords no coverage and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice — only your actual policy language governs what is and isn't covered.
Can Cory Washington & Co. review my contractor business coverage?
Yes. Share your checklist and we'll review your program line by line, market your account across multiple carriers, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
This checklist is a free educational tool from Cory Washington & Co. to help you review your own coverage and have a more informed conversation with a licensed insurance professional. It is general information only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy, change, or cancel any policy. Coverage terms, availability, limits, and requirements vary by policy, carrier, and state, and only the language in your actual policy governs what is and isn’t covered. Checking or leaving blank any item above does not indicate that you are adequately insured or under-insured. Using this checklist does not create a client, agency, or fiduciary relationship. Always consult a licensed professional about your specific situation.