Contractor Insurance in New York
New York requires general liability and workers compensation for all licensed contractors. K&N Insurance Brokerage compares contractor insurance policies across multiple carriers — GL, workers comp, commercial auto, inland marine, builder’s risk — so your contracting business is covered and compliant. 868+ Google reviews across two offices, 4.9-5.0 stars.
868+ Google reviews, 4.9-5.0 Stars
Contractors across New York trust K&N. Two offices — Queens and Huntington — serving NYC and Long Island.
Same-Day COI
Need a certificate of insurance for a job site? We issue COIs same-day in most cases — don’t lose the job waiting on paperwork.
Hablamos Español
English, Spanish, Arabic, French, Russian. Many New York contractors prefer to discuss their insurance in Spanish — we’ve got you covered.
Why New York Contractors Need Specialized Insurance
If you’re a contractor in New York, insurance isn’t optional — it’s the cost of doing business. The NYC Department of Buildings requires proof of insurance for building permits. General contractors require certificates of insurance from every subcontractor before allowing them on a job site. Property managers require GL coverage from any contractor working in their buildings. And the state of New York mandates workers compensation for any employer with one or more employees — no exceptions.
Without proper insurance, you don’t just face legal penalties — you lose jobs. Every day, contractors across New York lose bids because they can’t produce a valid COI with the required limits and endorsements. The general contractor moves on to someone who can. That lost job could be worth $10,000, $50,000, or more.
The problem is that contractor insurance is complicated. Different trades have different classification codes, different risk profiles, and different premium structures. A roofer pays dramatically more for workers comp than an electrician. A general contractor doing structural work needs builder’s risk that a painting contractor doesn’t. An HVAC company needs inland marine coverage for tools and equipment that a carpentry shop might not.
“I’ve seen contractors lose $50,000 jobs because they couldn’t get a COI in time. The GC calls them on Monday, needs the certificate by Wednesday, and their current agent takes a week. That contractor comes to me, and I have the COI in their inbox same-day. That’s the difference between a broker who understands contractors and one who doesn’t.”
— Nour Fahmy, Founder, K&N Insurance Brokerage
Insurance Coverage Every New York Contractor Needs
| Coverage | What It Covers | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| General Liability (GL) | Third-party bodily injury, property damage, completed operations. Required by every GC and property manager. | $1,500-$5,000/year |
| Workers Compensation | Employee injuries on the job — medical bills, lost wages, disability. Mandatory in NY for any employer. | $10-$30 per $100 payroll (construction) |
| Commercial Auto | Work trucks, vans, trailers used for business. Personal auto policies exclude commercial use. | $1,500-$4,000/vehicle/year |
| Inland Marine (Tools & Equipment) | Tools, equipment, and materials in transit or at job sites — not covered by standard property policies. | $500-$2,000/year |
| Builder’s Risk | Covers structures under construction against fire, theft, vandalism, weather damage. | 1-5% of project value |
| Umbrella/Excess Liability | Additional liability coverage above your GL, auto, and workers comp limits. Required on many large projects. | $500-$2,000/year per $1M |
Contractor Trades We Insure in New York
Every trade has a different insurance profile. We broker policies for all of them:
- General Contractors — highest liability exposure, broadest coverage needs
- Electricians — fire risk, code compliance, completed operations critical
- Plumbers — water damage liability, underground operations
- HVAC Technicians — refrigerant handling, equipment-heavy operations
- Roofers — highest workers comp rates in construction, fall risk
- Painters — lead paint exposure (pre-1978 buildings), scaffold work
- Carpenters & Framers — structural work, tool theft, injury risk
- Flooring Installers — dust exposure, knee injury claims
- Masonry & Concrete — heavy material handling, structural liability
- Demolition — highest risk class, environmental exposure
- Landscapers — seasonal operations, equipment-heavy, vehicle-dependent
- Handymen — multi-trade risk, often underinsured
Don’t see your trade? Call us. If you do construction work in New York, we can insure you.
Certificate of Insurance (COI) Requirements for NY Contractors
If you’re a subcontractor in New York, you deal with COIs constantly. Every general contractor, property manager, and building owner requires one before you can start work. Here’s what a typical COI must include:
- General Liability — minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate (many GCs require higher)
- Workers Compensation — statutory limits per NY law
- Commercial Auto — $1,000,000 combined single limit
- Umbrella — $1,000,000-$5,000,000 (depends on project size)
- Additional Insured endorsement — naming the GC and/or property owner as additional insured on your GL policy
- Waiver of Subrogation — often required, prevents your carrier from suing the GC’s carrier after a claim
- Primary and Non-Contributory — your policy pays first before the GC’s policy kicks in
The NYC Department of Buildings has specific insurance requirements for building permits. We know these requirements inside and out and make sure your COI meets whatever the GC, property owner, or DOB requires — so you don’t get kicked off a job site for a paperwork issue.
COI turnaround: We issue certificates of insurance same-day or next-business-day in most cases. If you have an urgent job site requirement, call (718) 739-9090 (Queens) or (631) 646-9090 (Long Island) and we’ll expedite it.
Workers Compensation for New York Contractors
Workers compensation is typically the most expensive insurance line for New York contractors — and it’s the one where shopping the market matters most. The NY Workers’ Compensation Board sets classification codes based on the type of work performed, and each code has a base rate per $100 of payroll. But carriers can apply credits, debits, and experience modifications that cause the final premium to vary significantly.
Here’s what construction workers comp looks like in New York:
| Trade | Approximate Rate (per $100 payroll) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General Carpentry | $15-$25 | Varies by height of work |
| Roofing | $25-$35 | Highest rates in construction |
| Electrical | $8-$15 | Lower risk than structural trades |
| Plumbing | $8-$14 | Similar to electrical |
| HVAC | $10-$18 | Includes ductwork installation |
| Painting | $12-$22 | Scaffold work increases rate |
| Masonry | $18-$28 | Heavy material handling risk |
| Landscaping | $8-$14 | Includes tree service at higher rates |
These rates are approximate and vary by carrier, experience modification factor, and specific operations. The point is: a roofer paying $30 per $100 payroll with one carrier might pay $22 with another — and on a $500,000 annual payroll, that’s a $40,000 difference. That’s why you shop workers comp through a broker.
Frequently Asked Questions — Contractor Insurance New York
What insurance do I need to get a NYC building permit?
The NYC Department of Buildings requires proof of general liability insurance and workers compensation (if you have employees) for most building permits. The specific limits depend on the type of work — major alterations and new construction typically require $1M/$2M GL and an umbrella policy. We know the DOB requirements for every permit type and make sure your coverage meets them.
How much does contractor insurance cost in New York?
It depends on your trade, payroll, revenue, and number of employees. A solo electrician might pay $3,000-$5,000/year for GL + workers comp. A general contractor with 10 employees doing residential renovations might pay $25,000-$50,000/year across GL, workers comp, commercial auto, and inland marine. We compare quotes from multiple carriers to find the most competitive package for your specific trade.
Can I get a COI same-day?
Yes — in most cases we issue certificates of insurance the same day or next business day. If you have an urgent job site requirement, call (718) 739-9090 or (631) 646-9090 and let us know your deadline. We understand that contractors lose jobs waiting on paperwork, and we don’t let that happen.
Do I need workers comp if I’m a sole proprietor with no employees?
In New York, sole proprietors and partners in construction trades can exempt themselves from workers comp coverage. However, most general contractors will still require you to carry it — or they’ll charge your payroll against their own policy, which you’ll pay for anyway. We can help you determine whether the exemption makes financial sense for your situation.
Do you offer contractor insurance in Spanish?
Sí — hablamos español. A significant portion of New York’s construction workforce is Spanish-speaking, and we handle contractor insurance consultations, quotes, COIs, and claims in Spanish. También hablamos árabe, francés y ruso. Call (718) 739-9090 (Queens) or (631) 646-9090 (Long Island).
What happens if I work without insurance in New York?
Operating as an uninsured contractor in New York carries severe penalties. The NY Workers’ Compensation Board can fine employers up to $2,000 per 10-day period of non-compliance for workers comp violations. The NYC DOB can revoke your building permit. General contractors can — and will — remove you from a job site if you can’t produce a valid COI. And if someone gets hurt on your job site and you’re uninsured, you’re personally liable for all damages.
Get your contractor insurance from a broker who understands the trades.
GL, workers comp, commercial auto, COIs — all from one office. Free quote, no obligation. ¿Seguro para contratistas? Hablamos español.
Visit Our Offices
Queens Office
182-03 Jamaica Ave, Hollis, NY 11423
Phone: (718) 739-9090
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5 | Sat 10-5
Huntington Office
1730 E Jericho Tpke, Huntington, NY 11743
Phone: (631) 646-9090
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5 | Sat 10-5
Related Pages
- Commercial Insurance in New York — our full commercial insurance guide
- General Liability Insurance
- Workers Compensation Insurance
- Insurance Broker in New York
K&N Insurance Brokerage is licensed by the NY Department of Financial Services. Contractor insurance products and pricing vary by carrier, trade classification, and risk profile.