Contractors Insurance – Coverages for Contractors, Builders & Trades in NY
Whether you’re wiring a retail build-out in Syracuse, replacing boilers in Liverpool, framing lake homes in the Finger Lakes, or running a multi-crew HVAC outfit across the I-81 corridor, your work comes with risk. Jobsite injuries, property damage, stolen tools, certificate demands—contractors deal with it all. CNY Agency helps trades and construction firms across Central and Upstate New York build
contractors insurance programs that meet bid specs, protect crews, and keep projects moving.
Protecting Your Contracting Business
General contractors, artisan subs, and independent tradespeople all share one reality: no insurance, no job. Project owners, GCs, municipalities, and commercial property managers routinely require proof of coverage before you step on site. We insure:
- General & remodeling contractors
- Plumbers, electricians & HVAC techs
- Roofers, siding & exterior trades
- Carpenters, finish & millwork shops
- Masonry, concrete, excavation & site work
- Low-voltage, data/telecom & specialty subs
- Handyman / small contractor startups
From one-person LLCs to 50+ employee field crews, we’ll match coverage to headcount, tools, vehicles, and project size.
Key Coverages for Contractors (Build Your Package)
Most contracting programs draw from the coverages below. We’ll help you decide what’s required, what’s smart, and what can wait.
General Liability
Core protection for jobsite injuries or third-party property damage; often required in contracts. Learn more: General Liability Insurance.
Workers’ Compensation
Required in NY when you have employees (including part-timers & many family employees). Covers medical & lost wages from work injuries. Details: Workers’ Comp Insurance.
Commercial Auto
Work trucks, vans, service bodies, dump units. If you haul people, tools, or trailers, you likely need business auto. See: Commercial Auto Insurance.
Tools & Equipment / Inland Marine
Covers mobile tools, generators, lifts, and jobsite equipment that moves. We’ll schedule high-value items and set blanket limits for small tools.
Builder’s Risk / Course of Construction
Property under construction: materials, partially completed structures, temporary onsite storage. Critical for new builds and major renos.
Installation Floater
Materials in transit to the jobsite and awaiting installation (HVAC units, custom cabinetry, windows).
Commercial Umbrella / Excess Liability
Adds higher limits above GL, Auto & Employers Liability—often needed for municipal, DOT, or large commercial work. Explore: Commercial Umbrella.
Commercial Property (Shop / Yard / Office)
Buildings, stock, fabrication areas, parts rooms. See: Commercial Property Insurance.
License & Permit Bonds / Surety
Many trades need bonds to pull permits or bid public work. Let us know; we’ll help coordinate bonding solutions.
Meeting Jobsite & Licensing Requirements
Construction contracts in New York frequently stipulate:
- Minimum liability limits (commonly $1M / $2M; larger jobs higher).
- Additional insured status for the GC, owner, or municipality.
- Primary & noncontributory wording.
- Waiver of subrogation endorsements.
- Evidence of Workers’ Comp AND DBL / PFL (state disability & paid family leave) in some cases.
- Auto liability & hired/non-owned proof when vehicles enter controlled sites.
We issue certificates quickly—often same day—through our Client Services center, so you’re not waiting to mobilize crews.
Tools, Equipment & Materials on the Move
Lost, stolen, or damaged tools can halt production. Standard property policies usually don’t follow gear off premises. Ask us about:
- Blanket small tool limits vs. scheduled high-value items
- Rental equipment liability & physical damage agreements
- Jobsite storage containers & theft endorsements
- Employee tools (whether covered—varies by carrier)
- Transit coverage for specialty equipment delivered to remote Adirondack or North Country jobs
Control Costs Without Cutting Coverage
Insurance is a major line item—especially comp and auto in construction. We help contractors manage cost by:
- Packaging multiple lines (GL + Comp + Auto) when carrier credits apply
- Reviewing payroll by class code (don’t overpay heavy rates for clerical staff)
- Verifying subcontractor insurance to reduce audit surprises
- Implementing safety & return-to-work programs that influence experience mod factors
- Considering pay-as-you-go workers’ comp options for cash-flow relief (where available)
- Adjusting tool schedules seasonally (busy vs. off-season equipment counts)
Bring us last year’s audits and current policies—we’ll look for savings and gaps.
Local Knowledge for NY Contractors
Permitting rules in Syracuse differ from rural Oswego County jobs. Snow load and freeze claims hit differently in Watertown and the Tug Hill than in Binghamton. Downtown rehab work faces vandalism exposure you won’t see on a Skaneateles lake build. Because we insure contractors across Central and Upstate NY, we understand the mix of municipal requirements, union vs. non-union labor, winterization risks, and certificate language that comes with each job.
Project Work: Builder’s Risk & Installation Coverage
If you’re constructing from the ground up—or performing a major addition—Builder’s Risk protects materials, supplies, and the structure during construction. For trades installing high-ticket systems (HVAC, plumbing, custom windows), an
Installation Floater can follow materials from warehouse to site to set in place. Weather swings in Central NY (wind, freeze/thaw, theft during idle periods) make these coverages especially important.
Frequently Asked Questions – Contractors Insurance in NY
What insurance coverage do contractors need?
Most contractors require general liability, workers’ compensation, commercial auto, and tools & equipment coverage (inland marine). Larger projects often call for builder’s risk and commercial umbrella policies.
Is contractors insurance required in New York?
Yes. Many clients, general contractors, or municipalities require proof of liability coverage and workers’ comp before work begins. Some licenses and permits also mandate coverage.
Do you provide certificates of insurance (COIs)?
Yes. We offer fast turnaround on COIs so you can meet project requirements and avoid job delays.
What is builder’s risk insurance, and do I need it?
Builder’s risk covers structures under construction, materials, and equipment against losses like fire, theft, or weather damage. If you work on large construction or remodeling projects, this coverage is often essential.
How can I reduce insurance costs as a contractor?
We help by bundling policies, reviewing payroll classifications, and connecting you with safety programs that lower claims risk. We also shop multiple carriers to secure competitive rates.
Insurance, Simplified
Get a Free Contractors Insurance Review
Bidding a new project? Expanding crews? Seeing renewal shock on liability or comp? Send us what you have and we’ll build a comparison—coverage, limits, endorsements, and cost. Fast quotes, fast certificates, and real people who pick up the phone.
Start now on our Contact page (choose “Contractors Insurance Quote”). Want to see related coverages? Visit:
- Business Insurance Overview
- General Liability Insurance
- Workers’ Comp Insurance
- Commercial Auto Insurance
- Commercial Property Insurance
- Commercial Umbrella
Build with confidence. We’ll help protect the work—and the business—behind every project.