TL;DRA typical GA contractor with $2M revenue and 8 employees pays $8K–$18K/year for GL ($1M/$2M limits), workers comp (varies by class code), and commercial auto. Add builders risk and inland marine (tools) for most jobs. GDOT and most public bids require $1M/$2M GL, $1M auto, statutory WC, and a performance bond.
What contractor insurance actually includes
A complete contractor program has six moving parts. Skipping any of them leaves a gap your current agent probably hasn't told you about.
- General Liability (GL). $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate is the market minimum. Public contracts (GDOT, FDOT, SCDOT) often require $2M/$4M or $5M umbrella.
- Workers Compensation. Rate is class-code driven. Framing carpentry (GA 5645) runs ~$8–$12 per $100 payroll. Roofing (5551) runs $18–$35. Your experience mod (E-mod) moves that 20% in either direction.
- Commercial Auto. $1M CSL is standard. Hired/non-owned auto for subs you bring onto jobs.
- Inland Marine. Tools, equipment, installation floater. Usually excluded from property; must be written separately.
- Builders Risk. Project-specific property coverage during construction. Transferred to permanent property at CO.
- Umbrella / Excess. $1M–$10M layered over GL and auto. Required on most GDOT bids.
Why contractors get declined
Standard carriers (Travelers, Hartford, Hanover) will write clean GC risks. They decline when any of these show up:
- Roofing or tree work >25% of revenue (push to E&S via Jencap or RT Specialty)
- New ventures <3 years in business with no loss history
- E-mod above 1.25
- Residential work in coastal counties (FL, SC coast, Outer Banks)
- Any recent large claim (>$100K)
When those show up, we place the account through Amwins, Jencap, RT Specialty, or Wholesure — E&S markets built for exactly this. See our guide on hard-to-place risks for the full decline playbook.
GDOT, FDOT, and public contract requirements
Bidding public infrastructure? Your COI has to match these minimums exactly or your bid gets thrown out.
| Agency | GL | Auto | WC | Umbrella |
|---|
| GDOT | $1M / $2M | $1M CSL | Statutory | $5M typical |
| FDOT | $1M / $2M | $1M CSL | Statutory | $5M-$10M |
| SCDOT | $1M / $2M | $1M CSL | Statutory | Project-dependent |
| NCDOT | $2M / $4M | $1M CSL | Statutory | $5M typical |
Deeper breakdown: GDOT bid requirements: insurance & bonding checklist.
Workers comp for contractors: class codes and mod strategies
WC is usually the biggest line-item on a contractor's insurance bill. Three things move the number:
- Class code accuracy. Miscoded payroll is the #1 overpayment cause. A framer coded as general carpentry pays 30% more than they should.
- Experience mod. Published by NCCI in non-monopolistic states. Above 1.0 you pay a penalty; below you get a credit.
- Carrier appetite. AmTrust writes hard-to-place contractor WC. Summit writes high-mod. The Hartford writes clean-loss contractors under 1.0 mod.
Full guide: Construction workers comp Georgia 2026 · Mod reduction strategies.
Who we write
General Contractors
Commercial GC, residential GC, design-build, renovation. $500K–$50M revenue, 1–100+ employees.
Specialty Trades
Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, drywall, flooring, concrete, masonry, painting, insulation, tile.
Higher-Hazard Trades
Roofing, tree service, demolition, excavation, steel erection, crane. E&S placement when needed.
Public-Works Contractors
GDOT, FDOT, SCDOT, NCDOT bidders. Performance-bond-ready programs, $5M–$25M umbrella.
Carriers for contractor insurance
AcuityThe HartfordHanoverAmTrustTravelersAuto-OwnersCincinnatiSummitAmwinsJencapRT Specialty
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Get a Free Risk Review →Frequently Asked Questions
How much does contractor insurance cost?
A typical $2M-revenue GA contractor with 8 employees pays $8,000–$18,000 per year combined for GL, workers comp, and commercial auto. Roofers and tree services pay more — often $25,000–$60,000 because of height exposure. Residential remodel GCs at the low end pay closer to $4,000–$7,000.
What are the GDOT insurance requirements for 2026?
GDOT requires $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate GL, $1M CSL commercial auto, statutory workers comp, and typically a $5M umbrella on any project over $1M. Performance and payment bonds are required per O.C.G.A. §36-91-70.
Do I need a general liability policy as a sole proprietor handyman?
In most cases yes — especially if you do subcontract work for licensed GCs. Most GCs require a $1M/$2M GL certificate before they'll hire you. A basic handyman GL runs $550–$1,200/year.
What's an E-mod and how do I lower it?
Your experience modification factor (E-mod) compares your actual losses to expected losses for your class code. Above 1.0 means you pay more than average. To lower: close open claims quickly, implement return-to-work programs, and challenge any reserve amounts NCCI is using to calculate the mod. Full strategy: contractor WC mod reduction.
Can I get coverage if I've been declined before?
Yes — that's exactly what we specialize in. If Travelers, Hartford, and Acuity have all declined you, we go to Amwins, Jencap, or RT Specialty. E&S carriers don't require standard-market declination but they'll write what standard won't.
Does my GL cover tools and equipment?
No. General liability pays for third-party bodily injury and property damage — it doesn't pay for your stolen $15,000 skid steer. You need inland marine (equipment floater) as a separate endorsement or policy.
What about independent contractors and 1099s on my jobs?
Your GL and WC do not automatically cover 1099s. You need hired/non-owned auto on the auto policy, and you should require every sub to carry their own GL and WC with you listed as additional insured. Audit these certificates annually or you'll pay WC premium on those subs at your next audit.