Contractor Insurance in Ohio

If you are a contractor in Ohio, you need to have insurance to get licensed and protect your business from various risks. The state requires you to have at least $500,000 in general liability insurance, which covers damage to property and injuries to people caused by your work. 

You also need workers' compensation insurance if you have employees, which pays for medical bills and lost wages if they get hurt on the job. Depending on your projects, you may also need other types of insurance, such as builder's risk insurance or surety bonds.

You need an insurance partner who understands your industry and can provide you with the best protection and value. 

Bellwether Insurance is that partner. We have been serving Ohio contractors for years, and we know how to find the right coverage for your specific needs. We work with reputable A-rated insurance companies that offer competitive rates and flexible options. 

Whether you need general liability, workers' compensation, commercial auto, or any other type of contractor’s insurance, we can help you get a free quote and compare plans from different carriers. 



Don't settle for less than the best. Contact us today and see why we are the preferred choice for Ohio contractors’ insurance.

Contractors’ insurance is a bundle of policies that covers the tools, property, and people involved in a construction project. Here are persons that may need contractors’ insurance in Ohio:

• General contractors
• Subcontractors
• Electricians
• Plumbers
• Roofers
• Carpenters
• Painters
• Landscapers
• Masons
• HVAC technicians
• Flooring installers
• Drywallers
• Remodelers
• Home builders
• Architects and engineers

This list is not exhaustive. If you qualify as a contractor, you need a contractor’s insurance policy.

You may need to obtain different types of insurance to protect yourself and your clients from various risks. Some of these insurance policies are required by law, while others are optional but recommended.

General Liability Insurance for Ohio Contractors 

As mentioned above, Ohio law requires contractors to have at least $500,000 in general liability insurance coverage. 

This type of insurance protects contractors from the financial consequences of lawsuits arising from property damage or bodily injury caused by their work. For example, if a contractor accidentally damages a customer's home or injures a bystander while performing a job, the general liability insurance will cover the legal fees and compensation costs.

General liability insurance for Ohio contractors also covers claims related to personal and advertising injury, such as slander, libel, or copyright infringement. Some contracts may require contractors to have general liability insurance as a condition of doing business.

General liability insurance for Ohio contractors is not the same as workers' compensation insurance, which covers the medical expenses and lost wages of employees who get injured on the job.

Commercial Auto Insurance 

Each business that uses commercial vehicles in Ohio must carry minimum auto liability insurance coverage, whether they’re for personal or business use. Ohio's auto liability insurance requirements are:

• $25,000 per person bodily injury liability, 
• $50,000 per accident bodily injury liability, and 
• $25,000 per accident property damage liability. 

Commercial auto insurance covers legal fees and other expenses if a business-owned vehicle is involved in an accident. It's required for all commercial vehicles in Ohio. Commercial auto insurance covers vehicles owned by your business, while hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA) covers personal, rented, and leased vehicles used by your business. 

Your personal auto insurance policy covers you while driving to and from work, but not while making deliveries, picking up supplies, and other work-specific uses. A business auto policy would cover you and your personal vehicle in case you’re at fault for an accident during a work-related errand. Any vehicles you own solely for work purposes must be covered by a commercial auto policy, whether you own a landscaping pickup, a food truck, or a fleet of vehicles.

Builders Risk Insurance 

Building contractors in Ohio face many risks and uncertainties during construction projects. That's why they need Builders Risk Insurance, a type of property insurance that covers the materials, equipment, and structures that are being built or renovated. 

Builders Risk Insurance protects contractors from losses due to fire, theft, vandalism, wind, hail, and other perils that may damage the project. It also covers the costs of removing debris, repairing damage, and restoring work after a covered loss. Builders Risk Insurance is essential for contractors who want to secure their investment and avoid financial setbacks during construction.

Commercial Umbrella Insurance

Commercial umbrella insurance is a policy that extends the limits of your primary liability policies, such as general liability, auto liability, and workers' compensation. It can cover claims that exceed the limits of your primary policies or claims that are not covered by them at all. 

For example, if you are sued for $2 million for causing a fire at a client's site, but your general liability policy only covers $1 million, your commercial umbrella policy can pay the remaining $1 million.

Commercial umbrella insurance can also cover some types of claims that are excluded by your primary policies, such as libel, slander, false arrest, invasion of privacy, and more. These claims can arise from your advertising activities, social media posts, or interactions with customers or competitors. For example, if you are accused of defaming a rival contractor on your website, your commercial umbrella policy can cover the legal costs and damages.

Inland Marine Insurance 

If you constantly work with movable property or transport goods from one place to another, you may need inland marine insurance for contractors in Ohio. Inland marine insurance covers property that is not fixed to a specific location, such as tools, equipment, materials, and cargo. Inland marine insurance can protect your property from risks such as theft, fire, vandalism, collision, and natural disasters while it is in transit or stored at a temporary location.

Workers Compensation Insurance 

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory for all employers in Ohio, whether they have one or more employees, full-time or part-time. The only exception is for domestic workers who earn less than $160 per quarter. 



Workers' compensation insurance will protect you and your workers from the financial impact of work-related accidents and illnesses. It will also help you comply with the law and avoid penalties.

An Ohio ACORD Certificate is a standardized document that shows the details of your liability, workers' compensation, and other insurance policies. It also lists the names and contact information of your insurance providers and any additional insured parties.

An ACORD Certificate is important because it helps you comply with the state and local regulations that require contractors to have certain types of insurance. It also protects you and your clients from potential lawsuits and claims that may arise from your work. An Ohio ACORD Certificate can help you win more bids and contracts by demonstrating your professionalism and credibility.

To obtain an ACORD Certificate, you need to contact your insurance agent or broker and request one. They will fill out the form with the relevant information and send it to you electronically or by mail. You can then provide it to your clients, subcontractors, or anyone else who needs proof of your insurance coverage. You should always keep a copy of your certificate for your records and update it whenever there are changes in your insurance policies.

The cost of contractors’ insurance in Ohio depends on several factors, such as:

• The type of work you do: Different trades have different risks and therefore different rates. For example, roofing contractors may pay more than painters because they work at heights and are exposed to weather conditions.
• The size of your business: The more employees you have, the more payroll you have to report, and the more workers' compensation insurance you need. Workers' compensation is a mandatory coverage in Ohio that pays for medical expenses and lost wages for workers who get injured on the job.
• The amount of coverage you need: The more coverage you have, the more you pay. You can choose different limits for your general liability insurance, which covers third-party claims for bodily injury and property damage. You can also add optional coverages, such as tools and equipment insurance, commercial auto insurance, or builders risk insurance, depending on your needs.
• The location of your business: The cost of contractors insurance may vary by county or city in Ohio, depending on the local regulations and the average claims costs in your area.

On average, general contractors in Ohio pay $142 per month. However, this is only an estimate based on a sample of policies and may not reflect your actual cost. The best way to find out how much contractors insurance costs in Ohio is to get a quote from a reputable insurance agency that specializes in contractors’ insurance. They can tailor a policy to your specific needs and budget and help you save money on your premiums.

Whether you are a general contractor, a subcontractor, or a specialty contractor, we have the insurance solutions you need to protect your assets, your employees, and your clients. 

We work with top-rated insurance companies that understand the risks and challenges of the construction industry. 



Contact us for a free quote.