What Insurance Do I Need as an Electrician?

Whether you own an electrical contracting business or work as an independent contractor, you face unique risks in your profession. It’s why, when determining your operating expenses, you cannot ignore the importance of having the proper insurance to protect you and your business from those risks.

Before starting any job, your customers will want to know that you have sufficient liability coverage. They don’t want to put themselves at risk by having a contractor work on their property without the proper protection.

Should an electrical installation go awry, the correct liability coverage may protect you from financial damages for which you’re responsible. But there are many other business insurance products you may need, depending on the extent of your operations.

To help ensure that you are fully protected, you may want to consider the following types of insurance:

  • Business income:
    Provides protection for lost net income; mortgage, rent, and lease payments; loan payments; taxes; and employee payroll. Requires that the damages be caused by a covered loss resulting in physical damage to the property.

  • Businessowners policy (BOP):
    A policy that combines property, liability, and business interruption coverages for small- to medium-sized businesses. Coverage is generally less expensive than if purchased through separate insurance policies. A BOP may also provide coverage for your tools and small equipment.

  • Commercial auto:
    You need a vehicle to transport your tools and equipment to jobsites. Commercial auto insurance covers the cost to repair or replace vehicles (less depreciation) in the event of an accident, as well as the cost to rent a replacement auto so that your business can continue operating.

  • General liability:
    Insures against the liability exposures of many businesses. Coverage can include product liability, completed operations, premises and operations, and independent contractors. This coverage is best obtained through a BOP, which includes other essential coverages for small businesses.

  • Commercial umbrella:
    Provides greater financial protection by increasing the liability limits of certain underlying policies.

  • Employment practices liability:
    Liability coverage for wrongful termination, discrimination, and other violations of employees’ legal rights.

  • Errors and omissions:
    A professional liability policy protecting the policyholder against negligent acts and omissions that may harm their clients.

  • Workers’ compensation:
    Pays for medical care and physical rehabilitation of injured workers and helps to replace lost wages while they are unable to work. Your insurance company may also provide resources designed to assist electrical contractors in developing safe working habits to help control insurance costs.

If you’re working for a builder or another contractor, you will likely be required to have additional coverage. The two most common are additional insured and waiver of subrogation endorsements.

Before deciding which policies are best for your business, be sure to contact a licensed business insurance broker or agent, who can provide more detailed information, help solicit quotes from insurers, and answer any questions you have.

An independent agent can help business owners understand which products can best meet their needs.

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* Coverages vary by state and may not be available to all businesses.

The information and descriptions on this site are general in nature. The coverage afforded for a particular loss depends on the specific facts and the terms, exclusions, and limits of the actual policy. Nothing on this site alters the terms or conditions of any policy, as the policy controls coverage. Coverage options, limits, discounts, deductibles, and other features are subject to underwriting criteria, state availability, and effective dates. Coverage provided and underwritten by NJM Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, 301 Sullivan Way, W. Trenton, NJ 08628.

The information contained in this article should not be construed as professional advice, and is not intended to replace official sources. Other resources linked from these pages are maintained by independent providers; therefore, NJM cannot guarantee their accuracy.