Hunter Insurance Blog

What is an Additional Insured?

More than likely, if you’ve been in construction for any length of time, you’ve been asked by a general contractor, vendor, property manager, or homeowner to add them as an additional insured on your general liability policy. But what does that mean? What is an Additional Insured on Your Contractor Insurance Policy? “Additional insured” is a standard, run-of-the-mill endorsement requirement when it comes to contractors and construction. Adding another person or entity as an additional insured on your policy means they are now protected by the terms of your policy as an insured. ...

The Reason You’re Paying Too Much for Contractor Insurance

You’ve been in the business a long time. If any of your clients has an issue with your work, you go out there and fix it. You adhere to safety standards and run your business the right way. You’ve never even had an insurance claim. So why does it feel like you’re paying too much for your liability insurance? Losses, experience, and operation can all factor into the cost of your insurance. But what you may not realize is there’s another factor that can lead to increasing insurance costs… not ...

Contractor Insurance vs Contractor License Bond

One of the most common questions we get is, “What is the difference between general liability insurance and a contractor license bond?” We have all seen the phrase “Bonded & Insured” on the side of a contractor’s truck or on their website, but what exactly does that mean? Contactor Insurance vs Bonds: What Do They Cover & Who Do They Protect? The easiest way to understand the difference between contractor insurance and contractor license bonds is to think about who they protect and what things they cover. License Bonds Protects the consumer or ...

Introducing our NEW Website: Hunteronline.com

We are proud to introduce to you our newly designed Hunteronline.com website. We’ve shaken things up to make our website work even harder for you, and we have some pretty neat features that will make it even easier for your to get what you need quickly and easily. Here’s what you can expect from our NEW website at Hunter Insurance Services. A More Helpful Homepage The #1 reason why business owners and construction professionals come to Hunter Insurance Services is to get a insurance quote. We’ve met that need head-on with our ...

How Well Does Your Contractor Insurance Cover Your Mistakes?

Mistakes happen, even to the most experienced contractors. People trip and fall, equipment breaks, designs aren’t always perfect. But a mistake can have a huge financial impact. Even if the incident wasn’t your fault, someone still needs to cover damages, lawsuits, or any other costs that arise. That’s why it’s important to know how well your contractor insurance covers your mistakes. Luckily, there are two contractor insurance policies that are designed to cover many different types of accidents: general liability insurance and builders risk. Here’s how these policies cover your mistakes. Not ...

How to Use Contractor Insurance to Protect Your Tools In Every Situation

How would you get through the day today without your tools? For most contractors, business would come to an abrupt halt if their tools suddenly vanished. And what would it cost you to get back on track? Many contractors have slowly built up their inventory of specialty equipment bit by bit. Replacing it all at once could be a huge financial hit. You can’t operate without your tools, it’s only natural that you want to make sure they’re covered. Picture this: You wake up early to get to a new job site. ...

Which Contractor Insurance Policy Covers Workplace Damages?

Sometimes it really pays to have contractor insurance coverage in place. Most days, you may never even think about your insurance. But when an accident happens, you’ll breathe a sigh of relief knowing you won’t have to deal with a major financial loss, even if the accident is (gulp) - totally your fault. But when you’re at fault for an accident which leads to damage while you’re working on a project, you may be surprised at which of your contractor insurance policies you should have in place to cover it. And it’s ...

Understanding Exclusions in Your Contractor Insurance Policies

Waiting too long to learn what your insurance policy’s exclusions are can be frustrating at best and disastrous at worst. Picture this: You’re working on a new construction job when the whole roof caves in. Turns out you didn’t have the right support beams for the weight of the structure. You call your insurance company, only to find out your contractor insurance doesn’t cover faulty materials or design. You’ve just discovered an exclusion- the hard way. So, what is an exclusion? An exclusion is a limitation or restriction of your insurance coverage. Your policy’s ...

7 Tips to Lower Your Contractor Insurance Costs

As a responsible business owner, finding a great insurance policy is important to you. It’s the best way to safeguard your interests and protect both yourself and your employees. Great contractor insurance coverage shouldn’t feel like it’s pinching your wallet, however. Taking a little time to implement these practical tips can help you keep your insurance rates low without sacrificing your coverage. How to Save on Your Contractor Insurance Costs Ready to save some extra cash for your business? Let’s get started with our top money-saving ways to keep your insurance ...

How to Decide How Much Contractor Insurance You Should Have

You know you need insurance. But how much is enough? One one hand, you realize the value of protecting your investment into the construction business you are building, but on the other hand, you don’t want to tie up too much cash in an intangible asset like insurance, either. When you have employees to pay, new equipment to purchase, and a work truck that is on it’s last leg, freeing up operating capital is essential. The best way to do that is to pick the right insurance coverage for your ...

2016 Contractor Insurance Predictions

What’s new this year? For contractors and construction pros wondering what the future holds, we’ve looked at the forecasts from some of the leading construction industry insiders and contractor insurance experts to give you the inside scoop. 2016 is going to be a great year for construction pros. Take a look at some of the expected trends in your industry, the insurance market, and our suggestions on how to turn these opportunities into even greater profits this year. Continued Overall Construction Industry Growth Industry experts agree, 2016 looks good for construction growth. Dodge Data & Analytics, ...

High vs. Low Contractor Insurance Deductibles: Consider the Risks

Having the right contractor insurance policies in place is an important part of running a construction business. Construction is a risky industry, and insurance can protect your business from complete financial ruin if an unexpected accident or incident occurs. But that doesn’t mean you have to overpay for this vital coverage. In fact, there are many ways to save on your contractor insurance policies, such as raising the amounts of your deductibles to save on your monthly premiums. High vs. Low Contractor Deductibles: Which is Better for Your Business? Before you run out ...

Contractor Insurance Buyer's Guide

Buying contractor insurance doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or take a lot of time. Once you know why you need coverage, and what policies will best protect your business, getting insured is a snap. Here’s what you need to know to get the insurance your construction business needs to succeed. If you are a general contractor, contractor, subcontractor, or owner of a construction business, you need insurance. Some insurance policies are even required by law to operate a business. Whether required or not, the right insurance coverage can help ...