Understanding Contractors' Insurance (2024)

  • August 30, 2022
  • The Research Academy
  • Nat Alliance NOW Podcast

Understanding Contractors' Insurance (2)

  • Commercial General Liability, Contractors, Insurance Certificates, Insureds, Property Coverages

Whether you are working with general contractors or subcontractors, insurance within the contractors’ niche can be challenging. As an insurance professional, getting everything right the first time can help you appropriately protect your insured and lower your E&O exposure.

In this four-part Contractors’ podcast series,spends time discussing this complex transaction with National Faculty Members,Cathy Trischan, CIC, CRM, CPCU, ARM, AAI, AU, CRIS, MLIS, TRIPandAllen Messer, CIC, CPCU.

Part 1: Understanding an Insured's Contract

Part 2: Additional Insureds and Certificates of Insurance

Part 3: Contractors and the Commercial General Liability Policy

Part 4: Property Coverage for Contractors

Part 1: Understanding an Insured's Contract

Part 2: Additional Insureds and Certificates of Insurance

Part 3: Contractors and the Commercial General Liability Policy

Part 4: Property Coverage for Contractors

Dues-Paid Designees Receive a $200 Discount at Checkout!

This podcast series only begins to scratch the surface when it comes to insuring construction risks. Learn more and attend the PROFocus Contractors course!

Contractors Course Schedule

Understanding Contractors' Insurance (3)Jay Williams, CIC, CRM, CRIS, MLIS, AIP, AAI, ACSR

Jay Williams is a National Faculty Member and an Educational Consultant for The National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research. He earned his CIC designation in 1996 and his CRM designation in 2004. He is a veteran of the insurance industry, starting his career in 1979. His experience includes 21 years in the agency business, nine years at the Florida Association of Insurance Agents, and seven years as an insurance company and PEO executive. Jay also served as the interim CEO for Applied Client Network, the user-group association for agents using Applied Systems platforms.

Jay has been teaching formal insurance classes for over 20 years, including both technical insurance and E&O loss control classes for FAIA. He was part of the IIABA Loss Control Working Group for 5 years and also served on the Professional Liability Committee.

His experience on the agency, association, and company sides gives Jay a uniquely rounded perspective on the insurance industry. His most recent position was the CEO of a construction risk wholesale operation. In addition to his work as an insurance educator, Jay serves as an expert witness, a consultant to insurance companies, associations, agencies, and industry-related partners, and an E&O auditor.

Understanding Contractors' Insurance (4)Allen Messer, CIC, CPCU

Allen Messer brings technical skill, initiative, and experience to bear on the complex problems of insurance and risk management. He began his insurance career in March of 1971. Allen earned his CIC designation in 1977 and has been teaching for The National Alliance since 1981. He has worked for several different insurance companies in various capacities and has been involved in the independent agency system as a producer and agency owner.

Understanding Contractors' Insurance (5)Cathy Trischan, CIC, CRM, CPCU, ARM, AAI, AU, CRIS, MLIS, TRIP

Cathy Trischan has been with the E&K Insurance Group in Eatontown, New Jersey since 1996, and currently serves as Director of Commercial Underwriting. She began her insurance career upon graduation from Rutgers University in 1987. She has worked as a claims adjuster for a major property and casualty carrier as well as in the commercial departments of several New Jersey agencies. In addition to her work with E&K, Cathy provides education and consulting services to other agents and brokers. She is a National Faculty member of The National Alliance, speaking in the CIC, CISR and Ruble programs. She also serves as a mentor for new CIC and CISR faculty. Cathy is a regular presenter for various agents’ associations and other organizations and has taught both pre-licensing and continuing education courses. She has written courses and articles on various insurance topics. A firm believer that one should never stop learning, Cathy holds several professional designations including CIC, CRM and CPCU.

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Understanding Contractors' Insurance (8)

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Understanding Contractors' Insurance (2024)

FAQs

What type of insurance is traditionally used by contractors? ›

General Liability Insurance

So often, these plans will be advertised as “contractor general liability insurance” or “general liability insurance for contractors.” General liability insurance policies will usually cover a broad range of damages, including: Faulty workmanship. Job-related injury.

What is construction insurance for dummies? ›

Construction insurance is insurance protection that provides financial compensation for covered losses to a building or structure, as many mistakes, errors, and unforeseen events can lead to damages and losses during the construction of a building.

What are the three types of insurance that are most relevant to construction projects? ›

As a construction business owner or project manager, you should consider the following types of coverage for your company:
  • General liability insurance.
  • Workers' compensation insurance.
  • Commercial auto insurance.
  • Builder's risk insurance.
  • Contractor's tools and equipment insurance.
  • Professional liability insurance.
Jan 8, 2024

What does it mean when a contractor says they are insured? ›

Bonded contractors have a surety bond in case of contract default. Insured contractors carry liability and workers' compensation insurance. Bonded contractors must pay back the surety. Insured contractors pay premiums and do not have to pay back a claim. Insured contractors have more protection than bonded contractors.

What is the difference between term insurance and traditional insurance? ›

Term coverage only protects you for a limited number of years, while whole life provides lifelong protection—as long as you keep up with the premium payments. Term life is just insurance, whereas whole life adds a cash value component that you can tap during your lifetime.

What does professional indemnity insurance cover? ›

Professional indemnity insurance protects you against claims for loss or damage made by clients or third parties as a result of the impact of negligent services you provided or negligent advice you offered. Compensation claims can be brought against you even if you provided a service or offered advice for free.

Why is contractor insurance important? ›

Contractor insurance acts as a safety net, covering any damages that may occur during the project. This means that if your property sustains damage due to the contractor's work, their insurance will be responsible for covering the costs.

What is the purpose of builders insurance? ›

A builder's risk insurance policy protects your construction project from various types of property damage. Many builder's risk insurance providers cover the direct effects, like damaged construction materials, and indirect effects, like loss of revenue, caused by property-related damages during construction.

What is the risk coverage? ›

In simple words, if you buy a life insurance policy with risk cover, you will get a monetary return if you succumb to an untimely death during the policy term. If you, as the policyholder, fall victim to an accident and become disabled, the insurance will cover that risk by paying you an agreed-upon sum.

What are the 4 recommended type of insurance? ›

Four types of insurance that most financial experts recommend include life, health, auto, and long-term disability.

Which type of insurance do construction managers take to protect themselves in case they are sued by their clients? ›

Professional Liability Insurance

Often referred to as E&O (errors and omissions) coverage, professional liability insurance protects you in situations like those and many others. In construction, delays can lead to lawsuits.

What are the three types of construction projects? ›

Construction projects are often categorized based on their scale, the types of structures being built, and the purpose of the project (also called “end use” or “land use”). Broadly, there are six types of construction projects: residential, commercial, institutional, mixed-use, industrial, and heavy civil.

Should my contractor add me as an additional insured? ›

Property owners, both commercial and residential, commonly require any contractor working on their property to deliver a “certificate of insurance” naming the property owner as an “additional insured.” This often arises when a resident owner wishes to renovate his/her apartment in a co-op or condo building or an ...

What's the difference between insured and bonded? ›

Being insured means that you have purchased insurance, and you are covered if you need to file a claim against that insurance. Being bonded means that someone else is covered if you need to make a claim against the bond.

What does "fully bonded" mean? ›

What Does “Bonded” Mean? “Bonded” means that you have purchased a surety bond to protect your business against claims of shoddy, incomplete work, or allegations of theft and fraud. A surety bond has three parties: Principal, which is the business buying the bond. Obligee, which is the client requesting the bond.

What is a traditional insurance plan also known as? ›

Traditional insurance, also known as Indemnity or Fee-for-Service, allows members to select any healthcare provider for services. Traditional insurance offers the most freedom of choice and control over healthcare, but benefits are maximized when using a participating Blue Cross Blue Shield company.

What is traditional insurance called? ›

Traditional Life Insurance, also known as whole life insurance, money back or endowment insurance, provides multiple benefits like risk cover, fixed income returns, safety and tax benefits. These are considered risk-free on account of their fixed returns in case of death or maturity of the term.

What is traditional coverage? ›

A traditional health insurance plan covers your basic health costs. The insured is responsible to pay premiums, copayments, and coinsurance. If insurance is obtained through an employer, they may pay a portion of the premium.

What type of contracts are insurance contracts? ›

Most insurance contracts are indemnity contracts. Indemnity contracts apply to insurances where the loss suffered can be measured in terms of money. Principle of Indemnity. This states that insurers pay no more than the actual loss suffered.

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