For US Contractors — Updated July 2026
Best Contractor Insurance
Companies of 2026:
7 Providers Compared
We compared seven established insurance options for US contractors by coverage, contractor fit, digital access, pricing transparency, and support model. The best choice depends on your trade, crew size, location, and contract requirements.
Compare All Providers ↓
Quick Table
A single slip-and-fall on a residential job. A water pipe you nicked behind a wall. A $15,000 generator stolen from the bed of your truck overnight. Any of these incidents — without the right insurance — can wipe out a year of profit and put your business license at risk.
The problem is that the insurance market for contractors is fragmented and confusing. Dozens of providers, multiple policy types, and premiums that vary wildly by trade and state make it hard to know if you’re actually covered — or just paying for a certificate that won’t hold up when you need it.
We evaluated seven contractor insurance options using publicly available policy information, insurer materials, quote access, and contractor-relevant features. This is an editorial comparison, not a hands-on claims test; availability, eligibility, limits, and premiums must be confirmed through a current quote or a licensed insurance professional.
Quick Picks
🏆 Top 7 Contractor Insurance Providers — 2026
Next Insurance
Best Overall
From $30/mo
The Hartford
Best for Crews
Custom quote
Hiscox
Best for Solos
From $22/mo
Travelers
Best High-Risk Trades
Via agent
biBERK
Best Value BOP
From $27/mo
Thimble
Best Short-Term
Pay per job
CNA
Best Enterprise
Custom quote
What Insurance Do Contractors Actually Need?
Not all contractor insurance is equal — and buying the wrong policy is almost as bad as having none. Here’s a plain-English breakdown of the six coverage types that matter most for field contractors.
Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage. The absolute baseline — most GCs and clients require $1M/$2M minimum before you set foot on a job.
Covers medical bills and lost wages if an employee gets hurt on the job. Legally required in most states the moment you hire your first W-2 employee.
Covers vehicles used for work. Personal auto policies exclude business use — if you drive to jobsites in a work truck, you need this.
Covers your gear if it’s stolen, lost, or damaged on the job. Usually an add-on to a GL policy — $20–$50/month for $10K+ in coverage.
Bundles GL + commercial property coverage. Often 20–30% cheaper than buying separately. Good if you have a shop, office, or storage yard.
Covers claims that your work caused financial loss even without physical damage. More common for design-build and consulting contractors.
Most small contractors need at minimum GL + a tools rider. If you have employees, add workers’ comp. If you drive a work vehicle to jobsites, add commercial auto. Build from there.
Why Skipping Insurance Is a Business-Ending Mistake
Uninsured contractors aren’t just risking a fine — they’re risking everything they’ve built. A single liability claim can easily reach $50,000–$500,000, and most small contractors don’t have the reserves to absorb that without coverage.
Beyond the financial risk, being uninsured actively costs you work:
- GCs won’t subcontract you — most require current GL certificates before you step on their site
- Homeowners verify more than ever — 60%+ of residential clients check insurance before signing
- Permits require it — many municipalities require proof of GL before issuing pull permits
- License renewal — most state contractor license renewals require current GL and workers’ comp documentation
Quick Comparison: All 7 Providers
| Provider | Starting Price | Online Quote | Workers’ Comp | Tools Add-on | Best For | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Next Insurance | $30/mo | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Most contractors | 4.7 |
| The Hartford | Custom | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Crews 2–20 | 4.5 |
| Hiscox | $22/mo | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Solo operators | 4.4 |
| Travelers | Via agent | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | High-risk trades | 4.3 |
| biBERK | $27/mo | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | Budget BOP | 4.1 |
| Thimble | Per job | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Gig / seasonal | 4.0 |
| CNA | Custom | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | Large GCs | 3.9 |
Full Provider Reviews
Each provider is scored on coverage breadth, contractor fit, pricing transparency, digital access, and support model. Product details and prices can change; request current policy documents and quotes before buying.
Next Insurance
Best Overall
NEXT is our leading option for independent contractors and small crews that prioritize an online quote and policy-management experience. Eligible customers may be able to quote, buy coverage, and request proof of insurance online; timing and available endorsements depend on the trade, state, and policy.
The main advantage is its contractor-focused application flow and support for multiple trades. Pricing and eligibility are still determined through underwriting, so compare the final quote, exclusions, and endorsement wording with at least one alternative.
The Next app lets you generate and share a live COI link directly with GCs or property managers. When a foreman calls you at 7 AM asking for proof of insurance before you can enter the site, you can send it in 30 seconds from your phone. That alone is worth the subscription.
✓ Pros
- Instant online quote and same-day binding
- Trade-specific pricing for 30+ contractor types
- Live COI sharing via app link
- Workers’ comp available in all 50 states
- Tools & equipment rider available
- Commercial auto available
— Cons
- No phone-based agent — fully digital
- Roofing and demolition rates can be high
- Claims process is self-serve (no dedicated handler)
The Hartford
Best for Crews
The Hartford has been insuring contractors for over 200 years, and it shows. For contractors with 2–20 employees who need to bundle GL, workers’ comp, commercial auto, and commercial property through a single carrier — The Hartford is the most complete option on this list. One carrier means one renewal date, one billing relationship, and one claims contact when things go wrong.
Their workers’ comp product is particularly strong: it comes with built-in safety programs, nurse case managers for injured employees, and a claims team that understands trade injuries. For a contractor managing a crew across multiple active jobsites, that’s not a nice-to-have — it’s operational protection.
The tradeoff is speed: The Hartford requires a phone call or online application with a broker review process. You’re not binding coverage the same afternoon. But for anyone running a real crew, the 48-72 hour wait is worth it for the product quality.
✓ Pros
- GL, WC, commercial auto, BOP — all in one
- Single carrier = simpler claims and renewals
- Industry-leading workers’ comp product
- A+ AM Best financial rating
- Strong contractor-specific underwriting
— Cons
- No instant binding — broker or agent required
- Overpriced for solo operators with no employees
- Quote process slower than digital-first options
Hiscox
Best for Solos
Hiscox is the cheapest credible GL option for self-employed contractors with low annual revenue and no employees. Under $25/month for a $1M/$2M GL policy is genuinely hard to beat. It’s purpose-built for painters, handymen, landscapers, finish carpenters, and other low-risk trades that need a policy primarily to satisfy client requirements and pull permits.
Hiscox offers an online quote path for eligible small businesses and is worth considering for lower-risk solo trades. A COI is not automatically accepted by every GC or property manager: acceptance depends on the carrier, limits, endorsements, policy dates, and the contract’s exact insurance requirements.
The limitation is clear: Hiscox doesn’t offer workers’ comp, commercial auto, or tools coverage. If you need any of those, you’ll need a second carrier — which can get messy. Best for true solopreneur operators who need a single GL policy and nothing else.
✓ Pros
- Lowest starting price on the entire list
- Lloyd’s-backed — COIs accepted everywhere
- 5-minute online quote process
- Perfect for low-risk solo trades
— Cons
- No workers’ comp, commercial auto, or tools coverage
- Not suitable if you have employees
- May decline high-risk trades (roofing, demo)
Travelers
Best High-Risk
Travelers is an agent-led option to consider when a contractor needs broader commercial coverage or a more traditional underwriting process. It may be suitable for trades or account structures that do not fit a simplified online application, but there is no guarantee it will quote or price a particular risk more favorably.
Its value proposition is the combination of commercial insurance products, risk-control resources, and agent support. Ask the agent to confirm trade eligibility, exclusions, subcontractor requirements, and whether all required lines can be placed together.
The downside: Travelers is entirely distributed through agents and brokers. There is no online quote, no instant binding, and no app for COI generation. If you need coverage activated by Friday, this isn’t the path. But if you’re shopping a 12-month renewal and want the best rate for a challenging trade classification, call a Travelers-appointed broker.
✓ Pros
- Best competitive rates for high-risk trades
- Dedicated roofing, electrical, and mechanical programs
- Excellent claims handling reputation
- Workers’ comp, commercial auto, umbrella available
— Cons
- Agent/broker required — no online quote at all
- Slower to bind coverage (3–5 business days typical)
- Not competitive for low-risk trades vs. digital providers
biBERK
Best Value BOP
biBERK sells business insurance directly online through insurers in the Berkshire Hathaway group. The direct model can simplify quoting and policy access, but it does not guarantee savings against a broker or another carrier; compare equivalent limits, deductibles, exclusions, and endorsements.
The BOP product is the headline value: bundling GL with commercial property insurance in a single policy is significantly cheaper than buying them separately, and biBERK’s direct distribution model makes the BOP surprisingly affordable for contractors with a small shop, office, or equipment storage yard. Workers’ comp is also available and priced competitively.
The platform’s main weakness is its UI — it’s functional but feels dated compared to Next Insurance or Thimble. And unlike Next, there’s no tools and equipment endorsement, so you’ll need to source that coverage elsewhere.
✓ Pros
- Berkshire Hathaway financial strength and claims stability
- 20–30% cheaper than equivalent broker-placed coverage
- Strong BOP value for contractors with property assets
- Workers’ comp available online
— Cons
- No tools and equipment coverage
- Dated website UX
- Less trade-specific customization than Next
Thimble
Best Short-Term
Thimble is genuinely unlike anything else on this list. Instead of buying an annual policy and paying regardless of how much you work, Thimble lets you activate coverage for a specific job, a specific day, or a specific month — and turn it off when the work is done. For a side-hustle contractor or tradespeople with seasonal work patterns, this eliminates months of wasted premiums.
Coverage activates within minutes of purchase, and you can generate a COI from your phone instantly. Thimble also offers annual policies at competitive rates if your volume grows to the point where the pay-per-job model gets more expensive than a flat annual premium.
✓ Pros
- Pay only when you’re actively working
- Instant COI from your phone in minutes
- Flexible: by hour, day, month, or year
- Perfect for part-time or seasonal contractors
— Cons
- No workers’ comp, commercial auto, or tools coverage
- Annual cost higher than competitors for full-time work
- Mixed claims handling reviews
CNA
Best Enterprise
CNA is not for small contractors — it’s for established general contractors and specialty firms with 15+ employees, significant annual project volume, and complex multi-state operations. CNA offers GL limits up to $10M and beyond, commercial umbrella, professional liability, and integrated workers’ comp programs designed for contractors managing multiple crews across multiple states simultaneously.
The score isn’t low because the product is bad — it’s because CNA is genuinely the wrong fit for 90% of contractors. For large GCs bidding public or commercial projects that require $5M+ limits, CNA is one of the strongest options available through the broker market.
✓ Pros
- GL limits up to $10M+ — required for large commercial projects
- Umbrella and excess liability programs
- Comprehensive multi-state coverage management
- Strong risk engineering and loss control services
— Cons
- Not accessible to small or mid-size contractors
- Broker required — no direct access
- Significant minimum premium requirements
What Does Contractor Insurance Cost by Trade?
Premium variation by trade classification is significant — a landscaper and a roofer pay very different rates for the same coverage limits. Here are benchmark ranges for a solo contractor with under $300K in annual revenue and a $1M/$2M GL policy:
| Trade | Risk Class | GL Estimate / Mo | Tools Add-on / Mo | Best Provider Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Painter | Low | $22–$35 | $15–$25 | Hiscox / Next |
| Landscaper | Low | $25–$40 | $20–$30 | Hiscox / biBERK |
| Handyman | Low–Med | $28–$50 | $15–$25 | Next / Hiscox |
| Plumber | Medium | $45–$85 | $25–$40 | Next / Travelers |
| Electrician | Medium–High | $55–$110 | $30–$50 | Next / Travelers |
| HVAC Tech | Medium–High | $50–$95 | $30–$50 | Next / Travelers |
| Roofer | High | $120–$300 | $40–$70 | Travelers (specialty) |
| General Contractor | Medium | $60–$130 | $30–$60 | Next / The Hartford |
* Ranges are estimates for solo operators with under $300K revenue, no employees. Actual premiums vary by state, project type, claims history, and specific carrier underwriting.
How to Choose the Right Contractor Insurance
Don’t buy insurance based on price alone. The right policy depends on your trade classification, crew size, asset profile, and client requirements. Here’s a practical framework.
Start with General Liability
Every contractor needs a $1M/$2M GL policy — full stop. It’s what clients require, what GCs demand, and what permits often need. This is non-negotiable regardless of trade or crew size.
Add Workers’ Comp the Moment You Hire
Required by law in most states as soon as you have a W-2 employee. State fines for non-compliance routinely exceed an entire year of premiums. Don’t wait until renewal — add it the day you hire.
Protect Your Tools and Equipment
If your gear is worth more than $5,000 — which it almost certainly is — a tools rider at $15–$50/month is the highest ROI insurance purchase you can make. Jobsite theft is among the most common contractor losses.
Verify Your Vehicle Coverage
If you drive to jobsites for business purposes, your personal auto policy likely won’t cover an accident. A commercial auto policy or business use endorsement closes that gap — typically $80–$150/month for a single work vehicle.
Match Provider to Your Trade Risk Class
Low-risk trades (painters, landscapers, handymen) get competitive rates from digital-first providers like Next and Hiscox. High-risk trades (roofers, electricians, demo contractors) often get better rates from specialty carrier programs like Travelers. Get quotes from both before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
General liability insurance for most contractors starts between $22–$80/month for a standard $1M/$2M policy. Costs vary substantially by trade classification, annual revenue, number of employees, prior claims history, and state. Low-risk trades (painters, landscapers) often pay under $35/month. High-risk trades (roofers, electricians) typically pay $80–$300/month for the same coverage limits. Always get quotes from at least two carriers before buying.
Requirements vary by state, locality, license class, trade, and whether your business has employees. Some licensing authorities require proof of general liability, a bond, workers’ compensation, or a combination of these; others impose different rules. Check the applicable contractor licensing board and workers’ compensation authority before buying coverage.
Some insurers provide an online purchase process and fast certificate access for eligible applicants. Same-day coverage is not guaranteed: timing depends on underwriting, payment, trade, state, requested limits, and whether additional-insured or other endorsements require review. Confirm the delivery time directly before promising a COI to a client or GC.
No — general liability covers damage or injury to third parties, not your own business property. To cover your tools, equipment, and job materials against theft, loss, or accidental damage, you need a separate tools and equipment policy or endorsement (sometimes called an inland marine policy). Next Insurance and The Hartford both offer this as a policy add-on. Without it, a stolen jobsite tool kit comes entirely out of your pocket.
A General Liability (GL) policy covers third-party bodily injury and property damage claims only. A Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) bundles GL with commercial property insurance, which covers your own physical assets — office equipment, tools in your shop, inventory, and the building itself if you own it. BOPs are typically 15–25% cheaper than buying both policies separately, and make sense for any contractor with a physical business location to protect.
Almost always yes. The GC’s master policy does not extend coverage to you as an independent subcontractor. Most GCs require subs to carry their own GL at $1M/$2M minimum and name the GC as an additional insured on the certificate — meaning the GC is protected if a claim arises from your work. Showing up to a sub meeting without your own current GL certificate is the fastest way to get cut from a contractor’s preferred vendor list.
An additional insured is a person or organization added to your GL policy who also receives coverage protection from your policy — typically limited to claims arising from your work on their behalf. GCs commonly require subs to add them as additional insureds before a project starts. With digital providers like Next Insurance, adding an additional insured to your policy and generating an updated COI takes about 2 minutes in the app. Traditional carriers may require a form submission and 24-hour processing time.
Need a Certificate of Insurance Fast?
Learn exactly what a COI shows, why GCs reject them, and how to request a compliant one.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.