General Contractor Insurance
A general contractor's insurance has to protect the business and satisfy every owner, lender, and subcontract on the job. We build GC programs around the risks that actually hit general contractors: subcontractor claims, audit surprises, completed operations, and contract insurance requirements.
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California workers' comp rates rose for policies starting on or after September 1, 2026. See what changed and the 2028 workers' comp deadline.
Where general contractors get hurt by claims
These are the exposures carriers look at first when they price your policy.
Uninsured subcontractors
If a sub cannot show a valid certificate for the dates they worked, most carriers add what you paid them to your payroll at audit, and their claims can land on your policies.
Completed operations claims
Defect and damage claims can surface years after a project is finished. Completed operations coverage is what responds.
Contract insurance requirements
Owners and lenders often require specific limits, additional insured status, primary and non-contributory wording, and waivers of subrogation before you start.
Builder's risk responsibility
Many contracts make the GC responsible for insuring the structure while it is being built. A gap here can leave you paying for a fire or theft loss.
Coverage most general contractors carry
We package these together so limits line up with your contracts and nothing overlaps.
General liability
Covers injury and property damage claims, including completed operations after the job is done.
Workers' compensation
Required once you have employees. Required for every California license starting January 1, 2028.
Builder's risk
Protects the structure and materials during construction when your contract requires it.
Contractor bonds
License bonds plus bid, performance, and payment bonds for jobs that require them.
Commercial auto
Covers trucks and vehicles used on and between job sites.
Umbrella
Adds limits when owner or lender contracts require more coverage.
General Contractor insurance rules by state
California
B general building contractors can file a no-employee workers' comp exemption until January 1, 2028. After that date, nearly every license class needs a policy.
California contractor insuranceNevada
General contractors need a Nevada State Contractors Board license and a bond. Workers' comp is required once you have employees.
Nevada contractor insuranceArizona
General contractors need an Arizona Registrar of Contractors license and a bond. Workers' comp is required once you have employees.
Arizona contractor insuranceTexas
Texas has no statewide general contractor license, though some cities require registration. Workers' comp is optional for most employers, but owners and lenders often require it.
Texas contractor insuranceGeneral Contractor insurance questions
What insurance does a general contractor need?+
Most general contractors carry general liability with completed operations, workers' comp once they have employees, commercial auto, a license bond, and an umbrella. Builder's risk and project bonds are added when contracts require them.
Why did my workers' comp audit include my subcontractors?+
If a subcontractor cannot produce a valid certificate of insurance for the dates they worked, most carriers treat what you paid them as your payroll. Collect a certificate from every sub before they start and keep it through the end of the job.
Do I need builder's risk as a general contractor?+
It depends on the contract. Many construction contracts make the GC responsible for insuring the structure during construction. Read the insurance section before you sign, and confirm whether the owner or you will carry it.
What limits do owners usually require from a GC?+
Many require $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate in general liability, often with an umbrella on larger projects, plus additional insured status and a waiver of subrogation. Requirements vary by project and lender.
Get your general contractor insurance quote
Free and no obligation. Most quotes are returned within one business day.