Koosh Insurance · Property & Construction

    Sub & Artisan Contractors

    The plumber's torch that started the fire above the soffit. The roofer who fell. The electrician whose work passed inspection but didn't pass the GC's flood-test six months later. Sub-trade contractors carry exposure that's specific to their trade, on schedules they don't control, against contracts written by the GCs who hired them. Standard small-business policies miss most of it.

    See what's covered

    Coverage

    What this coverage includes

    • General liability with specific endorsements for the trade — completed operations, products, contractual liability
    • Tools and equipment coverage (inland marine) for tools at job sites, in transit, and in vehicles
    • Commercial auto for trucks, vans, and trailers — with class management for the trade
    • Workers' compensation — usually mandatory and the largest single premium for most subs
    • Builders risk for self-performed projects when applicable
    • Pollution liability for trades that disturb existing conditions or work with hazardous materials
    • Excess and umbrella for the higher liability limits required by GC contracts and project specs
    • Bond capacity for contractors needing performance, payment, or license bonds

    Who Buys This

    Who typically buys this coverage

    • Plumbers — residential, commercial, and specialty plumbing
    • Electricians — including low-voltage, fire alarm, and solar
    • HVAC contractors — installation, service, and refrigeration
    • Roofers — residential and commercial, including specialty roof systems
    • Carpenters and framers
    • Drywall, painters, flooring, and finish trades
    • Concrete, masonry, and foundation contractors
    • Landscape and site-work contractors
    • Glaziers, glass, and curtain wall

    Why Koosh

    Why Koosh Insurance

    Sub-trade contractors face hard placement markets, contract-driven coverage requirements, and certificate compliance demands that change weekly. We work this class daily, and we structure programs that match how the work actually happens.

    Trade-specific class placement — different markets serve roofers vs. plumbers vs. electricians, and we know which work each class.

    Certificate of insurance management — fast turnaround on certificates and additional-insured endorsements that GCs require.

    Contract review at quote — we read the insurance and indemnification provisions in GC and project contracts to size limits and structure additional insureds correctly.

    Workers' comp class-code accuracy — misclassification is the most common reason small contractors overpay.

    Bond capacity coordination — surety relationships for contractors who need performance, payment, or license bonds.

    Renewal market discipline — contractor markets harden quickly; we shop when the incumbent gets uncompetitive.

    FAQ

    Frequently asked questions

    Yes — many GC contracts require $1M GL primary plus $2M-$5M excess for subcontractors, with additional insured endorsements for the GC and owner. We've seen requirements as high as $10M on larger commercial projects. We size limits to the contracts you actually sign, not a generic minimum.

    Yes. The GC's policy generally won't cover your operations or your employees, and your 1099 status doesn't change your liability exposure. Most GCs require subs to carry their own coverage and submit certificates of insurance before starting work. We've placed this for hundreds of one-truck operations.

    Roofers, certain trades that work at height, demolition, and contractors with prior claims face narrowed appetite. Carriers also watch for residential vs. commercial split, subcontractor exposure (subs of yours), and specific hazardous operations (hot work, excavation, asbestos). We know which markets stay open for tougher classes.

    Tools are covered under inland marine (tools and equipment floater), with sub-limits for unattended vehicle theft and for tools at the job site. Standard sub-limits often cap at $1,000 to $5,000 per occurrence — under-insurance is one of the most common gaps for contractors carrying $20K-$50K in tools daily.

    A workers' comp policy with minimum premium and no actual employees, used by sole proprietors and partners to satisfy GC certificate requirements. Many states require the owner to be specifically excluded from coverage on a ghost policy. We structure these correctly and explain the coverage implications.

    Some indemnification provisions are insurable through 'contractual liability' coverage built into modern GL forms. Some — particularly broad-form indemnity in states that limit it by statute — aren't insurable as written. We read the insurance and indemnification provisions in the contract and tell you what's covered and what isn't.

    Related

    Related services

    Commercial Property

    Buildings, equipment, inventory, and operational assets.

    Real Estate & Development

    Coverage for investors, developers, and property managers.

    Builders Risk & Construction Liability

    Construction projects from start to finish.

    This page provides general information about Sub & Artisan Contractors insurance and is not a substitute for tailored advice from a licensed insurance broker. Coverage availability, terms, exclusions, and pricing depend on your specific business operations, location, claims history, and carrier underwriting. Contact a Koosh Insurance broker for a personalized consultation. Koosh Insurance — License #L135215.

    Get a quote for Sub & Artisan Contractors

    Talk to a licensed Koosh broker. We'll review your specific situation, source quotes from appropriate carriers, and walk you through the coverage that actually fits your business.

    (954) 309-3900
    service@koosh-ins.com
    4491 S State Rd 7, Suite 202, Davie, FL 33314