Business insurance by industry · Contractors and Trades
Concrete Contractor Insurance in Tennessee
Concrete work means heavy equipment, trucks, and finished work that has to hold up for years. Driveways, patios, foundations, and flatwork all bring completed-work and property damage risks. This page covers common risks, coverages to consider, Tennessee rules, and certificates of insurance for concrete contractors.
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Common risks for concrete contractors
- Cracking or settling claims after a pour
- Damage to driveways, lawns, or utilities from trucks and equipment
- Injuries from heavy forms, mixers, and saws
- Concrete splatter on homes and cars
- Equipment theft from job sites
Coverages concrete contractors often consider
- General liability Helps if your business is blamed for injuring someone or damaging their property, and usually pays for a legal defense.
- Workers’ compensation Pays medical bills and lost wages if an employee is hurt on the job, and includes employer’s liability.
- Tools and equipment (inland marine) Covers mixers, saws, power trowels, and other equipment.
- Commercial auto Covers vehicles used for the business. Personal car insurance policies often exclude or limit business use.
- Commercial umbrella Adds higher liability limits above your general liability, auto, and employer’s liability.
- Surety bonds Guarantee you’ll meet license rules or finish a job. Some licenses and contracts require them.
Not every business needs every coverage. The right mix depends on your work, your contracts, and your budget. All coverage is subject to underwriting and the terms of the policy.
What a claim could look like
For example, imagine your truck backs over a client’s irrigation line and cracks part of their existing sidewalk while you pour a new patio in Nolensville. The repair bill may be a general liability claim, subject to policy terms.
This is a hypothetical example for education only. Whether any claim is covered depends on the facts and your policy terms.
Tennessee rules to know
Contractor licensing. A Tennessee contractor’s license is generally required before bidding or contracting on projects of $25,000 or more, and the Board for Licensing Contractors requires general liability insurance and workers’ compensation (unless exempt) to get licensed, according to the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.
Home improvement license. For residential remodeling projects from $3,000 to $24,999, a Tennessee home improvement license is required in counties that adopted the law, including Davidson, Rutherford, and Robertson. It requires general liability, workers’ compensation, and a $10,000 surety bond or other approved security, per the Board for Licensing Contractors.
Workers’ comp for construction. Tennessee requires construction employers to carry workers’ compensation for their employees even if they have only one, including part-time and family workers, according to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Some construction business owners can apply to exempt themselves (not their employees) through the state’s exemption registry.
We can review your requirements and help you shop workers’ compensation and the other coverages above with carriers that write concrete contractors, subject to underwriting.
Certificates of insurance
Builders and municipalities often require concrete contractors to carry higher limits and provide certificates with additional insured and waiver of subrogation endorsements.
A certificate of insurance shows your coverage on the day it’s issued. If a contract asks for additional insured status or a waiver of subrogation, the policy usually needs an endorsement, not just a line on the certificate. Our certificate of insurance checklist walks through what to check.
What affects the cost
- The type of work you do and how it’s classified
- Annual revenue and payroll
- Number of employees and any subcontractors
- Where you work and the value of your equipment or property
- The limits and deductibles you choose
- Your claims history and years in business
We can’t promise a price ahead of time, but we can compare options and explain the trade-offs in plain English.
How Eric can help concrete contractors
Builders, remodelers, and trades from Gallatin and Hendersonville to Murfreesboro, Lebanon, and Franklin often juggle general contractor requirements, county permits, and fast schedules. As an independent agent affiliated with Hutsenpiller Insurance, Eric can review what you have, read your contract requirements with you, and help you shop options with more than one carrier. See how an independent agent works for you.
Related guides
- Contractor and Trades Insurance in Tennessee
- All business types we can help
- Business insurance in Middle Tennessee
- General liability insurance
- Commercial auto insurance
- Certificates and additional insureds explained
- What drives commercial auto costs
- Tennessee contractor license insurance requirements
- Small business insurance checklist (PDF)
- Certificate of insurance checklist (PDF)
Frequently asked questions
Does insurance cover cracks in concrete I poured?
Insurance usually doesn’t pay to redo your own work. It may cover resulting damage to other property, subject to policy terms.
Do I need commercial auto for my concrete trucks?
Trucks used for the business generally belong on commercial auto, and vehicles with commercial plates in Tennessee must have a commercial policy.
Do I need a license for concrete work?
For projects of $25,000 or more, Tennessee generally requires a contractor’s license. Some counties also require a home improvement license for residential projects of $3,000 to $24,999.
Do concrete contractors need workers’ comp in Tennessee?
Tennessee requires construction employers to carry workers’ compensation for employees even if they have only one, per the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Some owners can apply to exempt themselves, but not their employees. We can review your situation and help you shop coverage.
Get a free quote for your business
Eric can review your coverage needs, read your contract requirements, and help you shop options from more than one carrier. Start online, or call or text 615-808-1105.
Coverage descriptions are general information only; your policy documents determine actual coverage. Availability varies by carrier.
Eric Henry, licensed insurance producer, NPN 3953606 · Affiliated with Hutsenpiller Insurance. Coverage subject to policy terms and carrier approval.
