Insurance Questions Every Contractor Should Ask Before the Next Job

If you're a roofer, an electrician, a plumber, an HVAC tech, or a general contractor, you already know the job site is where the real risk lives. Every project brings a new set of variables — a new property, a new crew configuration, sometimes new subcontractors you're trusting with your reputation. We work with contractors across Indiana and surrounding states, and the same coverage questions come up on almost every job, whether it's a small remodel or a ground-up build.

Here's what we walk clients through, in plain language, no jargon.

"If we damage a customer's property while working, am we covered?"

This is the question we get asked most, and it's exactly what general liability insurance is built to answer. If your crew accidentally damages a customer's property, or someone gets hurt on a job site because of your work, general liability helps cover the legal and repair costs that follow. Most clients — and a lot of general contractors — will actually require you to carry this before they'll let you on a job site at all.

"What happens if a building We're working on burns down or gets damaged mid-project?"

That's where builder's risk insurance comes in. It covers a structure under construction or renovation — materials, fixtures, and the building itself — against fire, theft, wind, and other covered events while the project is in progress. If you're a general contractor overseeing a build, this is coverage you want in place before the first nail goes in, not after something happens.

"Our tools and equipment get moved between job sites constantly. Are they covered if they're stolen or damaged?"

A lot of contractors assume their general liability or property policy automatically covers tools and equipment out in the field — it usually doesn't. That's what inland marine coverage (sometimes called tools and equipment coverage) is for. It protects your tools, generators, and equipment while they're in transit or sitting on a job site, not just while they're locked up at your shop. Given how often equipment walks off a site or gets damaged in transport, this is one we push hard on for trade contractors.

"What if one of our subcontractors causes a problem on a job We're managing?"

If you're a general contractor bringing in subs, you're often still on the hook for their work in the eyes of a client or a court. This is where subcontractor liability considerations come in — making sure you're either requiring proof of insurance from every sub you hire, or that your own policy accounts for the added exposure. We always tell GCs: get a certificate of insurance from every subcontractor before they set foot on site, every single time, no exceptions.

"Do we need workers' comp if we only have a couple guys on the crew?"

If you have employees, workers' compensation insurance is generally required by law, and in the trades, it matters more than almost any other coverage. Roofing, electrical, and HVAC work carry real physical risk — falls, electrical injuries, heat exposure. If someone on your crew gets hurt, workers' comp covers medical costs and lost wages, and it protects you from a lawsuit tied to that injury.

"What about our work truck and trailer?"

Commercial auto insurance covers vehicles you own and use for the business — trucks, vans, trailers — including liability if you cause an accident and physical damage to your own vehicles. If you're hauling equipment or materials between job sites regularly, it's worth reviewing whether your trailer and its contents are properly covered too, since that's a common gap.

"A completed job caused a problem months later — am we still liable?"

Yes, potentially, and that's what completed operations coverage (part of your general liability policy) addresses. If a roof you installed starts leaking six months later, or an electrical job causes an issue down the road, this is what protects you from claims tied to work you've already finished and been paid for. Contractors sometimes assume liability ends when the job does — it doesn't.

"What if we get hurt or our business gets held up mid-project?"

Business interruption coverage helps replace lost income if a covered event — fire, storm damage, equipment failure — forces a halt to your operations. For contractors juggling tight project timelines and deposits already spent on materials, a delay can hurt more than people expect. It's worth understanding what this coverage would and wouldn't apply to before you need it.

Coverage Built Around How You Actually Work

Every trade carries its own risk profile. A roofer's exposure looks different from an electrician's, and a general contractor managing multiple subs has a different liability picture than a solo HVAC tech. The right policy depends on what you're actually doing day to day — how many crews you run, whether you're managing subs, what kind of equipment you're hauling, and what your project sizes look like.

We'd rather sit down and understand your business specifically than hand you a generic contractor's package and call it done.

If you run a contracting or trade business anywhere in Indiana and surrounding states, We're happy to walk through your current coverage or help build a policy from the ground up. No pressure — just a straightforward conversation about protecting the business you've worked hard to build.

This blog post is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance, legal, or financial advice. Coverage availability, terms, and requirements vary by policy, insurer, and state law. Please contact Shurr Insurance Agency directly to discuss your specific business needs and to review actual policy terms and conditions before making any insurance decisions.