Have you ever imagined what might happen if your roofer slipped and fell on your property and broke their leg? Or who would be responsible for repairs if your pool cleaner managed to somehow smash into your diving board with their equipment? Sure, you’ve got a stellar homeowner’s insurance policy that works to protect your home and property in the event of an accident. But you shouldn’t be paying for an accident caused by your contractor, right? In theory, every small business owner should have insurance, but if you unknowingly hire a contractor that isn’t properly insured, you could be stuck paying for damages. Want to avoid this type of scenario in the future? Keep reading to learn more about the advantages of working with a properly insured contractor.
3 Things Every Arizona Homeowner Should Know About Contractors Insurance
1. General Liability is a Must
If there is one type of insurance policy that all of your contractors must carry, it’s general liability coverage. This essential business insurance coverage is designed to protect contractors, their employees and their customers in the event of an accident that results in injury or some form of property damage. Whether someone trips over an extension cord or they take out your mailbox with one of their tools, you and your contractor can rest easy knowing that this type of insurance coverage should pay for the damages.
2. Additional Insurance Options May Be Necessary
Depending on the type of contractor you are hiring, they may need to invest in additional coverage options to protect their business as well. Not quite sure what you should be looking for? Don’t be afraid to speak with one of our independent insurance agents for more information or search online for tips. Some of the most common contractor insurance coverage options include:
- Workers’ Compensation
- Commercial Auto
- Builder’s Risk
- Commercial General Liability
- Equipment and Tool Coverage
In the state of Arizona, all businesses are required to carry workers’ compensation coverage as long as they regularly hire and/or employ one or more employees. This is true no matter if the employees are family members, minors, aliens, part-time workers or full-time workers. The only exception to this law relates to businesses that work with independent contractors, casual workers or domestic servants.
3. Always Inquire Before You Hire
Never assume that a contractor has insurance or take them on their word. When you shop around for the best candidate for the job, you should also ask about each prospect’s insurance coverage. To prove that they have the right level of insurance protection to begin working on your home, each contractor should be able to present you with a Certificate of Insurance.
However, simply showing up to your house with a certificate doesn’t mean they have coverage. You will need to verify that the certificate is up-to-date before they begin working with you. You can do so by simply calling the insurance agent listed on the certificate and letting them know that you are a potential customer looking for proof of coverage.
Protect Your Home and Property with Comprehensive Insurance Coverage
Working with a reputable and properly insured contractor is one of the best ways to protect your personal property in the event of an accident. In addition to investing in comprehensive home insurance coverage with Smart Move Insurance, this extra layer of protection will help to keep you from paying out-of-pocket for potential damages.
Want to learn more about the advantages of investing in total insurance protection? Feel free to call Smart Move Insurance to speak with one of our friendly agents or check us out online to request a free quote today!