General Contractor Insurance in Tennessee

Common risks for general contractors

• Injuries to the public or visitors on an active job site
• Damage to the client&rsquo
• s existing structure during a remodel or addition
• Claims tied to a subcontractor&rsquo
• s work, especially if the sub was uninsured
• Completed-work claims that show up months after the job closes
• Theft of tools, materials, and equipment left on site overnight

Coverages general contractors often consider

• General liability Look for completed operations coverage and the additional insured and waiver of subrogation endorsements owners often require.
• 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) Can cover tools, small equipment, and in some forms materials and work in progress (builder’s risk) until the job is finished.
• 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.
• Professional liability (E&O) Worth asking about if you offer design-build services or manage the project for a fee.

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 framing sub drops a load of lumber that dents a neighbor’s car and injures a passerby. If the sub has no valid insurance, the claim may land on your general liability, and an auditor may also charge you premium for the sub’s payroll at renewal.

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 general contractors, subject to underwriting.

Certificates of insurance

Collect a current certificate from every subcontractor before they start, and keep them on file. Missing sub certificates are one of the most common surprises at a general liability or workers’ comp audit.

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 general 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
• General liability vs. professional liability
• Small business insurance checklist (PDF)
• Certificate of insurance checklist (PDF)