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Contractor general liability insurance estimator
Ballpark your annual GL premium based on trade, annual revenue, crew size, and state risk tier.
Uses industry-standard rate tables. Output is a realistic range — your actual quote may vary
based on claims history, carrier appetite, and specific work types.
Estimates use industry-standard rate tables for $1M/$2M GL by trade. Base ranges
(annual premium for a solo operator at $50-150K revenue, average state, clean record):
handyman/painter $450–$900; carpenter/flooring/landscaper
$550–$1,100; plumber/electrician/HVAC $900–$1,800;
general contractor $1,500–$3,000; roofer $2,500–$6,500;
tree service $2,000–$5,500.
Adjustments: revenue scales premium roughly linearly above the base tier. Each additional
crew member adds ~8-12% (because more workers = more claim exposure). State risk tier
adjusts by 10-30%. Higher coverage limits add 20-30%. Prior claims significantly increase
premium.
Use this for budgeting only. Your actual quote depends on specific work
types, sub-contractor relationships, vehicle use, and carrier appetite.
Frequently asked questions
Why do roofers and HVAC pay more than handymen?+
Claims frequency and average claim cost. Roofers fall from heights and damage roofs (fall-injury workers comp claims average $60K+; water damage from a botched roof repair averages $15K+). HVAC techs work with refrigerants, electrical, and gas — completed-operations claims are common and expensive. Handymen do lower-risk small jobs with fewer claim triggers. Carriers price the math, not the vibe.
Does this include workers comp?+
No — this estimator is just for general liability (GL). Workers comp is required separately in most states once you have employees. Workers comp rates vary by state, trade, and payroll. A 2-person crew of plumbers in CA typically pays $4K–$8K/year in workers comp on top of GL.
What's a BOP (Business Owner's Policy)?+
A BOP bundles GL + property + tools/equipment + business income coverage into one policy. For most established contractors with a truck, tools, and a small office, a BOP is 15-30% cheaper than buying the pieces separately. Get a GL-only quote first; ask about BOP upgrade pricing.
Why is my actual quote higher than this estimator?+
Three common reasons: (1) Prior claims history adds 15-50%. (2) High-risk specialty work (roofing on commercial buildings, work above 3 stories) is rated higher. (3) Specific carrier appetite — some carriers won't write certain trades at all. Use the estimator for budgeting; get a real quote to confirm.
Can I get GL coverage without a license?+
Yes — most carriers will write GL for unlicensed contractors and handymen, but with limits. Licensed contractors get better rates and more coverage options. If your state requires a license to perform certain work and you're operating without one, the policy won't pay claims arising from unlicensed work. Get licensed before you scale.