General Contractor Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages a general contractor 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 general contractors. Priorities reflect typical exposure; confirm against project types and subcontractor use.
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 | |
| Umbrella / Excess Liability | Adds limits required by owners and lenders. | Core | |
| Builder's Risk | Covers the structure under construction. | Prevalent | |
| Workers' Compensation | Required in most states — falls and tool injuries drive construction claims. | Core | |
| Commercial Auto | Covers work trucks and trailers. | Core | |
| Contractors Pollution Liability | Covers mold, silica, and other pollution from operations — excluded from GL. | Situational |
The coverage gap most often missed
The most commonly missed gap for this class is subcontractor risk transfer. When a subcontractor's worker is hurt or its work fails, the claim lands on the GC — and without certificates, additional-insured status, hold-harmless terms, and verified workers' comp, the GC's own policy pays. Many GL policies also exclude or limit residential and condominium work. GCs should enforce subcontractor controls on every job and confirm how their policy treats residential construction.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your general contractor coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: General Contractor Insurance · General Contractor Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a general contractor business need?
The core coverages for a general contractor business are Commercial General Liability (incl. Products-Completed Operations), Umbrella / Excess Liability, 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 general contractor 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.