Do you know how you would react if your roofer tripped and broke their leg on your property? Would you be responsible for paying their medical bills or should their insurance coverage pay for the damages? Unfortunately, if your contractor doesn’t carry insurance, you could be left to pay for the damages after an accident. And while you may think that your homeowner’s insurance policy will work to protect your bank account, in this type of situation it may not. Keep reading to learn more about the importance of hiring contractors who are properly insured.
Always Inquire About Insurance Before You Hire a Contractor
Finding a good contractor to work on your home or property isn’t always an easy process. Whether you’re in the market for a new plumber, HVAC technician or landscaping company to help keep your outdoor space looking great, it’s up to you to make sure that anyone you hire has insurance before you let them onto your property.
As you begin your search for a great contractor, ask family and friends for referrals. There’s a good chance that if someone you trust has had a good experience in the past that you will too. However, you shouldn’t let your search end there. You still need to research the contractor, check out their online reviews and dive deeper into any testimonials that they may have on their company website.
If you like what you see, you’ll then need to verify that they have insurance before giving them the okay to begin work on your home. You can verify insurance coverage for any type of contractor you want to hire by asking them to show you a Certificate of Insurance. But keep in mind that simply presenting the certificate proves nothing. You’ll still need to personally contact the insurance agent listed on the certificate to make sure that the policy is current and that the contractor has the right level of coverage to begin working on your project.
What Type of Insurance Should Contractors in Missouri Have?
No matter what type of services they offer, every contractor you work with should at least carry general liability insurance and if they have employees, worker compensation coverage as well. General liability insurance works to provide coverage for any on the job injuries and property damage claims where your contractor is legally obligated to pay. However, depending on the type of work they provide, some contractors may need to invest in additional coverage options, including:
- Commercial Auto
- Worker’s Compensation
- Builder’s Risk
- Equipment and Tool Coverage
- Installation Coverage
- And More
Unsure of what type of coverage you should be looking for? Don’t hesitate to reach out to the insurance agent listed on the certificate for clarification.
Why Doesn’t My Homeowner’s Insurance Policy Cover Damages?
You’ve already purchased a home insurance policy, so why won’t it work in an accident involving your contractor? Well, it might, to some degree, but only if you were found to be liable through your negligence or otherwise.
If an accident were to take place and it was because of your negligence, your policy may cover the injured contractor for medical payments but this limited to the medical payment limit on your policy which is usually limited to $5,000 or less. If their injury is more substantial, and they are unable to work for a period of time, or are disabled, then they could sue you for damages. In this scenario, your homeowners liability coverage may provide coverage as well. However, there are limits to liability coverage as well. Again, all of this coverage is based upon you being at fault for the contractors accident.
Require Insurance from Your Contractor!
The moral of the story above is that you should ask for, and require proper insurance, including general liability and workers compensation, from all contractors invited to do work on your property.
Contact Tagge Insurance Today
Don’t get stuck paying out-of-pocket for an accident on your property when you shouldn’t have to! Instead, take the time to make sure you’re working with reputable contractors on every home improvement job you want to tackle. Interested in learning more about the benefits of investing in a comprehensive home, auto and life insurance policies? Call (417) 889-4663 or contact our local Springfield agents at Tagge Insurance online and be sure to request a free quote today.
