Risk protection for contractors
Keep your business protected with contractors insurance
Contractors face unique risks and challenges that can include injuries, property damage and business interruption. Whether you’re an independent tradesperson, managing crews, or running a multi-project contracting firm, Navacord helps contractors secure coverage that reflects their operations, contract requirements, and evolving risk exposures.
Coverage built around your work
Contractor insurance designed for builders and trades
Through our network of construction specialists across Canada, you'll have access to industry expertise, market insight, and coverage solutions built for contractors. Our experienced contractor insurance advisors will help you:
- Identify your risks and coverage needs based on your trade and scope of work
- Compare quotes from multiple insurers to secure competitive pricing
- Provide expert guidance as your contracting business grows and evolves
Who we help
If you work in the trades sector, contractor insurance is essential to protect you, your employees, your equipment, and your clients. Whether you operate independently or manage a team, insurance helps reduce financial risk from accidents, property damage, lawsuits, or job site interruptions. Examples of professionals and businesses that need contractor insurance include:
Manage full construction projects, coordinate multiple trades, and need protection from liability, project delays, subcontractor risks, and property damage.
Build and remodel homes, requiring coverage for completed operations and workmanship claims, jobsite accidents, property damage, theft, and liability claims.
Oversee office, retail, institutional, and industrial projects where large contracts, safety exposures, and liability risks demand robust insurance.
Electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, roofers, and other trades need coverage for faulty workmanship, injuries, equipment losses, and liability.
Perform foundation, road, and paving work requiring protection against equipment damage, completed operations claims, and workplace injuries.
Supply and operate cranes, loaders, and machinery, needing coverage for equipment damage, operator liability, and costly downtime.
Our contractors insurance expertise
Navacord's construction specialists help contractors navigate complex risks through industry expertise, strategic guidance, and access to specialized insurance solutions. These risks include:
Workplace accidents can result in medical costs, project delays, lawsuits, and reputational damage.
Construction activities may accidentally damage client property, neighbouring buildings, underground utilities, or completed work.
Stolen, damaged, or vandalized tools and equipment can disrupt operations and create unexpected expenses.
Contract obligations and indemnification clauses can expose contractors to significant financial and legal responsibilities.
Delays caused by insured damage to a project can affect schedules, budgets and profitability.
Pollution incidents, fuel spills, or hazardous materials can lead to cleanup costs, and liability claims.
Coverage designed for contractors
Key contractors coverages
The type of work you do, whether commercial, residential or industrial, impacts the type of coverage you need. Your contractor insurance advisor works with you when developing a protection plan that aligns with your specific work, risks and budget. Common contractor insurance coverages include:
- Commercial general liability (CGL)
Commercial general liability (CGL)
Shields you against accusations of third-party property damage or bodily injury on your office premises, job sites or while visiting clients.
Contractors errors & omissions
Covers the cost to repair or replace your own defective work, which is excluded under a CGL policy.
- Professional liability
Professional liability
For contractors who provide design, engineering or consulting services, or operate on a design-build basis.
Contractor's pollution liability
Responds to cleanup costs and third-party claims from pollution conditions caused by your operations, typically excluded under a CGL.
- Umbrella liability
Umbrella liability
Additional limits above your CGL and auto policies, often needed to meet contract requirements.
- Property insurance
Property insurance
Covers your physical business assets such as tools, materials, office equipment, and storage facilities against risks like fire, theft, or vandalism.
- Course of construction
Course of construction
Essential for contractors managing active construction projects, this covers loss or damage to structures under construction, including labour and materials incorporated into the work. Contractor tools and equipment are insured separately under an equipment floater.
Wrap-up liability
Often used for larger projects, this blanket liability coverage protects the project owner, general contractor, and subcontractors under a single policy.
Equipment & tools coverage
Protects your valuable tools and equipment whether they are on-site, in transit, or at your shop.
Learn from our contractors insurance experts
"Read the insurance and indemnity provisions of a contract as carefully as you read the price. Additional insured requirements, waivers of subrogation and hold harmless clauses can transfer risk to you that your policy was never designed to carry. Send those sections to your broker before you sign. They are easy to negotiate at the table and very difficult to undo after a claim."
FAQs for contractors
Contractors insurance can include coverage for third-party injury or property damage claims, tools and equipment, commercial vehicles, builder’s risk, wrap-up liability, cyber incidents, and other exposures depending on the type of work you do.
Yes. Even if you work on your own, insurance can help protect you from financial losses related to client property damage, injuries, tool theft, project delays, or contract requirements.
Your coverage depends on your trade, project size, contract obligations, employees, vehicles, equipment and jobsite risks. A contractor insurance advisor can review your operations and recommend coverage that fits your business.
Builder’s risk, also known as course of construction insurance, helps protect structures, materials, labour and equipment during an active construction project if they are damaged by an insured event.
Yes. Many contracts require proof of specific coverages, limits or bonds before work begins. The right advisor can help you understand these requirements and secure appropriate insurance documentation.
