Trade coverage
Low-severity work overall, but spray foam, fiberglass, and confined-space installations bring chemical and respiratory exposures that can escalate a claim.
General liability responds to two different things for your trade. The first is injury or damage caused while you are working, which for insulation contractor work is spray foam off-gassing causing occupant illness or persistent odor complaints. The second is a claim that surfaces after you have finished, known as completed operations, and it is the half of the policy most often missing from a cheap quote.
Usually admitted; spray foam operations with significant pollution exposure are sometimes placed in surplus lines.
These are the loss scenarios that drive claims for this trade, in the order we see them.
Each of these changes what the policy actually pays. Request them at quote stage.
General liability on its own leaves gaps that show up as denied claims rather than as missing coverage.
$1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate is standard. That is the limit, not the premium. The premium depends on your payroll, your state, your subcontractor use and your claims history, and it moves most with the hazard of the trade itself, which for insulation contractor is moderate.
Usually admitted; spray foam operations with significant pollution exposure are sometimes placed in surplus lines.
In order of how often we see them: Spray foam off-gassing causing occupant illness or persistent odor complaints; Over-spray damaging windows, wiring, or HVAC equipment; Fiberglass or cellulose contamination of a home's HVAC system.
These four come up repeatedly: Pollution coverage for chemical off-gassing; Additional insured with completed operations; Waiver of subrogation; Per-project aggregate. Get them written into the quote rather than requested after binding, because that is where the delays come from.
Alongside general liability: Inland marine for tools; Commercial auto; Workers compensation; Pollution liability.
Yes. Their policy defends them, not you. If your work causes damage, their carrier can pay the claim and then pursue you to recover it.
Classification and carrier appetite differ by trade, so it is worth seeing how yours compares.
Tell us your payroll, state and what your contract requires.
