Decking Contractor Liability Insurance

Decking contractor liability insurance is a general liability insurance policy providing financial protection from third-party claims. Having this one policy can provide the proper protection from some of the most common and costly claims a decking contractor could face.

Decking contractors work on their client’s property which is a job site that they don’t always control. Even with the most stringent safety protocols in place, accidents do happen because there are a lot of risks on a job site with tools and work in progress. If he had to pay for losses on his own, he could easily face financial hardships. Thus, having the insurance means that a decking contractor won’t have to pay for losses out of his own pocket.

One of the key things that decking contractor liability insurance covers are if someone gets hurt on the job site. It also protects against property damage the contractor is responsible for, advertising injury, and damage to premises rented to you. It’s a comprehensive policy and considered the most essential policy that a decking contractor can get.

In fact, having a general liability policy can help contractors get more and better-paying contracts. This demonstrates professionalism, and some clients will demand that you have insurance.

Let’s take a closer look at what decking contractor liability insurance covers.

General Liability

Auto Insurance

Workers Comp

Tools Coverage

What’s Covered Under General Liability Insurance

Bodily Injury

Financial protection from bodily injuries is important protection. This coverage pays when someone other than an employee gets hurt on the job site. For example, a person comes out to see the deck’s progress. They misstep and fall into an open area, breaking their leg. The medical bills are the decking contractor’s responsibility. He can pass this responsibility to the insurance company when he buys general liability insurance. When you consider that even minor injuries can cost tens of thousands of dollars in bills, it’s important that the contractor doesn’t have to come up with the cash.

Property Damage

Property damage is another important coverage in general liability for decking contractors. If the contractor accidentally damages the client’s property, he is responsible for the damages. For example, assume that you are installing deck posts. But, as you maneuver around the backyard, you accidentally hit the sliding glass door with the post. The door shatters, leaving you liable for the loss. If you have general liability insurance, you don’t have to pay the loss out of your own pocket. You file a claim and let the insurance company take care of it for you.

Products and Completed Operations

Products and completed operations coverage comes into play after you finish the job, but something goes wrong after you leave. It is a loss resulting from the completed job. For example, assume that you install flashing to prevent moisture from entering the house where the deck meets the home. The flashing is defective and results in water damage. While this is the manufacturer’s responsibility, a lawsuit might still name you as a defendant so the insurance would cover your legal fees.

Medical Payments

Medical payments coverage is similar to bodily injury coverage. This coverage pays for the medical expenses of minor injuries to those you invite to the job site. It doesn’t matter who is liable for the injury or needed medical attention with medical payments. For example, your client’s neighbor enters the job site to see the progress. As he talks to you, he feels unwell and collapses, having a heart attack. Of course, you call an ambulance to care for him, and the paramedics transport him to the hospital. As a result, medical payments cover these expenses. If the expenses exceed the medical payments coverage, the bodily injury coverage will kick in.

Personal and Advertising Injury

Most business owners do some level of advertising and marketing. Even if you don’t, you’re susceptible to a personal and advertising injury claim. This could happen when you talk about other decking contractors’ work. If you regularly compare your work to a particular company, stating that they do “shoddy work,” the company may feel that you are slandering them. The other company might sue you. Not only do you have to pay for the legal fees to defend yourself, but you would have to pay any settlement or judgment awarded. With general liability insurance, the insurance company handles these costs.

Damage To Premises Rented To You

If you rent a building or warehouse to run your business and store materials and supplies, you definitely want to have this coverage. Damage to premises rented to you pays for losses that happen to a rented property that are your fault. Losses might include a fire breaking out in the building. Unless it is the building owners’ fault, you will be responsible for the repairs. Thus, having general liability insurance transfers the financial burden to the insurance company to restore the property.

What’s Not Covered Under Decking Contractor General Liability Insurance

Decking contractor’s liability insurance does not cover certain types of losses. These include:

Intentional injuries or property damage
Injuries to employees
Tools and Equipment
Other losses outlined in the policy

How To Get General Liability Insurance

Buying decking contractor’s general liability insurance is easy. Start by calling a local agent licensed in your state to write business. To start with, the agent will get the relevant information about your business to run the quote. This should only take a few minutes. Then the agent may change some of the coverage limits to show you how much more coverage you can get for a few dollars more a month. Decking contractors should know that getting double coverage doesn’t cost double. Evaluate the coverage and prices, and then choose the policy that makes the most sense for your business.

Other Insurance For Decking Contractors

General liability insurance isn’t the only type of insurance that a decking contractor may need. Other policies that he may need include:

Business Personal Property
Auto Insurance
Workers Compensation
Tools Coverage
Surety Bond
Excess Liability

How Much Is Decking Contractor General Liability Insurance

You can get a decking contractor’s general liability insurance policy for a reasonable cost. In fact, some contractors are paying as little as $45 per month. The actual premium paid is based on various factors about your business. These factors include the location of the business, your total revenues, how much coverage you select, and any claims history that you have. We recommend getting a free quote to find out exactly how much it will cost to get a policy. Ask the insurance agent about discounts for things such as security or safety features.

Decking Contractor General Liability Insurance FAQ

We’re big believers in keeping things simple, so ask us anything and we’ll answer honestly and without the jargon.

Why Do Decking Contractors Need Insurance?

Decking contractors need general liability insurance to protect them against costly claims. Many risks of injury or property damage happen on job sites, especially with tools and heavy materials lying around. Without insurance, decking contractors must pay losses out of their pockets, leading to financial distress.

What Are The Risks Facing Decking Contractors?

A deck-building job site has a lot of risks literally lying around. Thus, people can get hurt on tools or easily trip and fall thanks to the materials lying around and job progress. Additionally, decking contractors are working around people’s homes which can lead to personal property damage. A deck builder can’t predict what will go wrong but can protect against it with the right insurance.

Is General Liability Insurance Required For Decking Contractors?

Decking contractors should inquire about insurance with their state licensing board. Some states and counties do require insurance for licensure. Additionally, some clients may require deck builders to have insurance. In fact, many general contractors won’t subcontract to a deck builder until they can provide proof of insurance.