Home Improvement Contractor - Licensed Contractors
Contractors liability insurance?
Well, I am an electrical contractor.I currently have Contractors general liability insurance for commercial and residential electrical.On my policy (right next to my class code) it reads: "Electrical Work-within buildings". I grilled my agent about whether or not I am covered for outside electrical.He said he called the underwriter (which I do not know if I believe him) and they said I was covered for outside electrical work also. I have read my policy (over and over) and could not find anything that reads that I am covered for any kind of outside work, or pool/spa electrical. FYI : I am a one man show.The most you will catch me doing is a kitchen remodel, or a service upgrade. The biggest thing I would be doing outside would be pool electrical. Any input
Public Comments
- John: Have your agent write an "addendum" to your policy clearly stating that you're covered for outside work, etc, etc. Since he has already verified with the underwriter that it's OK with them...that you're already covered....it shouldn't be much of hassle at all for your agent. Hope this helps....
- Ask your agent to reply in writing, confirming that you have coverage for the outside pool electrical stuff, also. But generally, how it works, is the class is the RATING class. The coverage is built in, UNLESS it is specifically excluded. SO, you need to know, is there an exclusion for all work except interior? If not, can they add the class code for electrical, NOC, or exterior, on an "if any" basis? Those are the exact words . . .heck, print it out, and show it to your agent. That should make EVERYONE happy.
- ~~You are not covered for liability the way your policy is written. Unless you can get them to put it in writing, then if you had a claim they would tell you it is not covered. Insurance companies (especially contractor liability insurance) will look for any loophole they can to get out of paying a claim. So get it in writing, or don't do the outside work.~~
- mbrcatz has an excellent suggestion. Have your agent ad the GL classcode for "outside electrical" on an "if-any" basis. If they are willing to do this, thatn that would confirm that outside electrical is NOT excluded. You need something in writing. Construction claims are ugly and you want to jamke sure you are covered appropriately!
