Insurance Standards
Insurance protects everyone. General Liability covers property damage. Workers' Comp covers injuries. Bonds guarantee completion.
Three Types of Coverage
General Liability (GL)
Covers third-party property damage and bodily injury. If a contractor damages your property or someone gets hurt, GL pays the claim.
Typical: $500k - $2M per occurrence
Workers' Compensation
Covers employee injuries on the job. Required in most states if the contractor has employees. Protects you from liability if a worker gets hurt on your property.
Typical: State-mandated minimums
Surety Bond
A financial guarantee, not insurance. If the contractor fails to complete the work or violates licensing laws, the bond pays out to cover damages.
Typical: $12k - $100k+ depending on state
Why This Matters to You
Hiring an uninsured contractor puts you at risk.
Property damage: If a contractor without GL damages your home, you pay out of pocket.
Worker injuries: Without Workers' Comp, an injured worker can sue you as the property owner.
Abandoned projects: A bond ensures funds are available to complete the work if the contractor walks away.
Insurance Requirements by Jurisdiction
Search and filter insurance requirements across all 50 US states and Canadian provinces.
| State | General Liability | Workers' Comp |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Required | Required |
| Alaska | $20k/$50k/$100k | Required |
| Arizona | Not mandated | Required |
| Arkansas | Not mandated | Required |
| California | Not mandated (LLCs $1M-$5M) | Required (all roofers) |
| Colorado | Required by municipalities | Required state-wide |
| Connecticut | Optional but market standard | Required |
| Delaware | Not mandated | Required |
| Florida | $300k/$50k | Required |
| Georgia | $500k | Required |
| Hawaii | $100k/$300k/$50k | Required |
| Idaho | $300k | Required |
| Illinois | Varies by city (Chicago requires) | Required state-wide |
| Indiana | Local requirements | Required |
| Iowa | Not mandated | Required + Unemployment |
| Kansas | Local requirements | Required |
| Kentucky | Required by local jurisdictions | Required |
| Louisiana | $100k | Required |
| Maine | No state mandate | Required |
| Maryland | $50k required | Required |
| Massachusetts | Not strictly mandated but standard | Required |
| Michigan | Not mandated | Required |
| Minnesota | $100k/$300k | Required |
| Mississippi | $300k/$600k (Commercial) | Required |
| Missouri | Local requirements | Required (strict enforcement) |
| Montana | Not mandated | Required |
| Nebraska | Not mandated | Required |
| Nevada | Not mandated | Required |
| New Hampshire | No state mandate | Required |
| New Jersey | $500k required | Required |
| New Mexico | Not mandated | Required |
| New York | "Labor Law" coverage critical in NYC | Required state-wide |
| North Carolina | Not mandated | Required |
| North Dakota | Not mandated | Required + Unemployment |
| Ohio | $500k for trades | Required |
| Oklahoma | Required for trades | Required for trades |
| Oregon | $500k+ | Required |
| Pennsylvania | $50k required | Required |
| Rhode Island | $500k required | Required |
| South Carolina | Not mandated | Required |
| South Dakota | Not mandated | Recommended |
| Tennessee | $100k - $1M (based on limit) | Required |
| Texas | No state mandate for GCs | No state mandate |
| Utah | $100k/$300k | Required |
| Vermont | $1M/$2M required | Required |
| Virginia | Not mandated | Required |
| Washington | $50k/$200k/$250k required | Required |
| West Virginia | Not mandated | Required + Unemployment |
| Wisconsin | Not mandated | Required + Unemployment |
| Wyoming | Local requirements vary | Required state-wide |
Watch for Coverage Gaps
Not all policies are equal. In states like New York, many contractors carry policies with "Labor Law" or "Action Over" exclusions that void coverage for common job site injuries. Always ask to see the actual policy declarations, not just a certificate.
What Verified Node Verifies
We don't just check if a contractor claims to have insurance. We confirm it.
Active policy confirmation
We verify coverage is current with the carrier, not just that a certificate was issued.
Coverage amount verification
We confirm the policy meets minimum thresholds for the contractor's trade and jurisdiction.
Lapse monitoring
Insurance lapses happen. We monitor for gaps and revoke badges when coverage drops.
Disclaimer
This page provides general information only. Insurance requirements vary by state, province, trade, and project type. Always verify current requirements and consult with a licensed insurance professional for specific coverage needs.