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Contractor insurance is a combination of commercial policies designed to address risks connected to construction, installation, repair, maintenance, and skilled-trade operations. The appropriate coverage depends on the work performed, employees, subcontractors, vehicles, property, and contract requirements.

General liability may respond to covered third-party bodily injury, property damage, personal and advertising injury, medical-payment, and legal-defense claims. Coverage depends on the policy language, exclusions, limits, deductibles, endorsements, and facts of the claim.

General liability generally addresses claims made by third parties. Work-related employee injuries are usually handled through workers' compensation coverage.

General liability usually does not protect a contractor's tools against theft or physical damage. Tools and equipment may require inland marine or another form of property coverage.

Active Florida construction licensees must maintain minimum liability and property-damage insurance. The required limits depend on the license category. Florida's official contractor FAQ lists $300,000 in public liability and $50,000 in property damage for general and building contractors, with lower minimums for many other categories unless otherwise established by rule.

Source: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Construction Industry Licensing Board FAQ.

Florida construction employers with one or more employees, including non-exempt business owners, generally must carry workers' compensation coverage. Exemption rules and ownership requirements are specific.

Source: Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Workers' Compensation.

Florida's workers' compensation rules treat construction differently from many other industries. The state has stated that independent-contractor status is not recognized in the construction industry for workers' compensation purposes in the same way it may be elsewhere. Contractors should verify subcontractor coverage or valid exemptions before work begins.

Source: Florida Department of Financial Services.

Common factors include trade, location, revenue, payroll, number of employees, subcontractor costs, claims history, years in business, project types, project values, vehicles, equipment, limits, deductibles, and requested endorsements.

A certificate of insurance is evidence that certain coverage was in force when the certificate was issued. It is not the insurance policy and does not automatically amend coverage.

An additional insured is a person or organization added to a policy by endorsement for specified coverage rights. A certificate holder is simply the person or organization receiving proof of insurance. The two terms are not interchangeable.

Builder's risk insurance can protect a structure and eligible materials during construction. Coverage varies based on project type, value, location, construction method, parties involved, and policy terms.

Business use may be excluded or limited under a personal auto policy. Contractors should disclose how a vehicle is titled, who drives it, where it travels, what it carries, and how it is used.

Some commercial policies use estimated payroll, revenue, or subcontractor costs at the start of the policy. An audit compares those estimates with actual figures and may change the final premium. Accurate records reduce surprises.

No single policy addresses every exposure. General liability, workers' compensation, commercial auto, builder's risk, professional liability, property, tools and equipment, cyber, bonds, and umbrella coverage address different risks.

No. A policy should be evaluated based on coverage, exclusions, limits, deductibles, endorsements, insurer eligibility, contract requirements, claims service, and total cost. The SBA recommends assessing risks and comparing both terms and prices when selecting business insurance.

Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.

Timing depends on the trade, insurer, application completeness, required documents, underwriting review, payment, and requested effective date. If you have a deadline, tell us up front so we can work toward it.