The Residential Remodeling Contractor Insurance Checklist

Most remodeling contractors think about insurance once a year at renewal. By then, the policy just gets renewed — often with the same limits and the same gaps as the year before. This checklist is designed to prompt a more active review of whether your program matches your actual exposure.

Work through these items when you're reviewing quotes or approaching renewal. A 15-minute conversation with your agent at the right time saves you from discovering coverage gaps when a claim arrives.

General Liability

• [ ] Policy form is occurrence-based, not claims-made
• [ ] Per-occurrence limit is $1 million or higher (many GC subcontracts require $1M minimum)
• [ ] Completed-operations aggregate is $2 million or higher for remodeling contractors doing multiple projects
• [ ] No subcontractor exclusion — or you've confirmed the exclusion can be removed
• [ ] Business classification covers your full scope of work (if you do additions, verify structural and foundation work is included)
• [ ] Blanket additional-insured endorsement available for GC and project owner requirements
• [ ] Additional-insured coverage extends to completed operations, not just ongoing operations

Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL)

• [ ] CPL policy is in place if you do any work in pre-1978 construction
• [ ] Lead-based paint disturbance is a covered peril (some CPL policies exclude lead)
• [ ] Asbestos disturbance is a covered peril (similarly, some forms exclude asbestos)
• [ ] Mold coverage is included for water-intrusion-related mold from your work
• [ ] Limits are at least $1 million per occurrence for basic CPL protection
• [ ] You're EPA RRP certified if you perform renovation, repair, or painting in pre-1978 homes

Workers' Compensation

• [ ] All W-2 employees are on the policy — not just field workers, all employees
• [ ] Class codes match actual job duties (field work in field codes, office in 8742)
• [ ] Payroll estimate reflects current business volume (not last year's smaller operation)
• [ ] Certificates of insurance on file for all subs with coverage active and limits documented
• [ ] Tracking sub certificate expirations during the policy year
• [ ] Overtime payroll tracked separately if your state has an overtime exclusion

Commercial Auto

• [ ] All owned vehicles on the policy (trucks, vans, trailers used for business)
• [ ] Hired auto coverage included for rented vehicles
• [ ] Non-owned auto coverage included for employees driving personal vehicles on business
• [ ] Limits are $1 million per occurrence (many subcontracts require this)
• [ ] Physical damage (comprehensive and collision) on vehicles you'd need to replace after a loss

Tools and Equipment

• [ ] Blanket tools coverage in place at a limit that reflects your actual tool inventory
• [ ] Coverage follows tools to jobsites and vehicles, not just your fixed business location
• [ ] High-value items scheduled (individual items above $1,000–$2,500 may need to be listed)
• [ ] Deductible reviewed — higher deductibles reduce premium but mean smaller theft or damage losses come out of pocket

Commercial Umbrella

• [ ] Umbrella in place above GL and auto at a minimum of $1 million
• [ ] Umbrella limits meet your subcontract requirements (check each GC's minimums)
• [ ] Umbrella is follow-form — covering the same claims as underlying GL
• [ ] Additional insured status extends through umbrella if GC contracts require this

Commercial Property

• [ ] If you have a business location (office, shop, warehouse), it's covered
• [ ] Coverage is replacement cost, not actual cash value
• [ ] Business interruption included with a restoration period adequate for your operation
• [ ] Contents limit covers your business equipment, materials, and furnishings

Subcontractor Management

• [ ] Written subcontract agreements require subs to carry GL and workers' comp
• [ ] Certificates collected before any sub starts work
• [ ] Certificates reviewed — you've checked limits and confirmed your additional-insured status
• [ ] Certificate file maintained for the statute of repose period in your state (typically 6–10 years)

When to Review Your Program

Annually at renewal: Compare current coverage against this checklist.

When you hire employees: Your workers' comp needs to reflect the new payroll.

When you take on significantly larger projects: GL and umbrella limits that worked for $50,000 jobs may be inadequate for $300,000 whole-home renovations.

When you start working as a subcontractor: GC contracts often have higher GL and umbrella requirements than you're carrying.

When your revenue grows significantly: Higher revenue often means higher project values and more exposure — coverage should scale with the business.

When you start working in pre-1978 homes: CPL becomes essential as soon as you're doing demo in older construction.

We'll Walk Through It With You

If you want to work through this checklist with an agent who understands residential remodeling, we're available for a 15-minute review. We'll identify any gaps between your current program and your actual exposure.

Call 844-967-5247 or request a review at contractorschoiceagency.com.