Insurance for New and Established Contractors in New Jersey

Here are some tips for new and established contractors in New Jersey that can be used to make sure their insurance coverage is adequate. Work with your insurance agent at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. serving Bloomfield, NJ and the nearby communities to get your questions answered.

The Basics

A contractor in New Jersey needs to have workers’ compensation insurance to cover on-the-job injuries or accidents. General liability insurance is also necessary to provide the basic minimum coverage for business operations. 

Commercial vehicle insurance is required for any vehicles used in the business, even if they are only used occasionally for business purposes. For example, if the owner drives his or her vehicle to the job site that is usually considered commercial use of the vehicle. This means it is better to have commercial auto insurance for that vehicle than to rely only on personal auto insurance.

Insurance Extras

A contractor may need to carry professional liability insurance depending on what kind of construction that they do. Examples, where professional liability insurance is usually required or preferred, include working on hospitals, banks, and some government contract jobs.

Some projects require bonding, which is a type of insurance that guarantees the construction will be completed.

It is an excellent strategy to carry umbrella insurance. Umbrella insurance extends the policy limits of underlying insurance policies so that it can be accessed to cover a claim that exceeds those lower limits. It also may provide coverage for other things that are not covered in other policies.

Also, consider having business interruption insurance that will help pay the bills if the business is interrupted by circumstances that are beyond the owner’s control and key person life insurance on the owner to protect his or her family. 

Summary

Having adequate insurance coverage for your contracting business is like using quality tools and materials to do a good job. Contact your agent at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. serving Bloomfield, NJ to get a commercial insurance review and a quote for contractor’s insurance.