Demolition Contractor Insurance
General liability, pollution coverage, workers’ comp and commercial auto for demolition and wrecking contractors across the West, from a licensed broker who knows how demolition gets underwritten. Same-day certificates of insurance. Call (949) 868-7350.
What Insurance Does a Demolition Contractor Need?
Demolition contractors need general liability that actually covers demolition, pollution liability for asbestos, lead and dust, workers’ comp, equipment coverage, and commercial auto for haul trucks and roll-offs. GCs and owners usually require $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate, and structural or commercial demolition often requires an umbrella and a separate pollution policy.
Many contractor policies exclude demolition outright, or cover only interior demolition, and most general liability policies exclude pollution. A demolition contractor can carry insurance for years and not discover the gap until a wall falls the wrong way or asbestos turns up in the debris. The Hard Hat Insurance team, the construction division of Bearstar Insurance Services, places demolition contractors with carriers that write the work and reads the exclusions before you sign, whether you do interior strip-outs, selective demolition, or full structural wrecking.
Commercial General Liability
Demolition General Liability
General liability pays when your work damages property or injures someone who isn’t your employee. For demolition contractors, the most common claims are damage to neighboring buildings from vibration, collapse or falling debris; damaged utilities; and injuries to people near the site.
No demolition exclusion, and structural work covered if you do it.
Additional insured, waiver of subrogation and primary/non-contributory wording when your GC or owner requires it.
Surety Bonds
License, Permit & Demolition Bonds
Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada and Arizona require a contractor bond to license, and many cities require a bond before they issue a demolition permit. We can often issue bonds the same day.
Bad credit programs available.
License, permit and contract bonds.
Demolition carries high workers’ comp rates because of falls, collapses and heavy equipment. Reporting laborers, operators and supervisors correctly is the biggest lever on your premium. In Washington, workers’ comp is only available through L&I; elsewhere we compare state funds with private carriers.
Pay-as-you-go options available (helps cash flow).
Waivers of subrogation for commercial contracts.
Workers' Compensation
What We Cover
Commercial Auto
Haul Trucks & Roll-Offs
Covers dump trucks, roll-off trucks, pickups and the trailers that move your equipment, plus the drivers you hire. Haul routes through busy streets make auto liability one of your biggest exposures.
Pollution Liability
Contractors Pollution Liability
Covers claims from asbestos, lead paint, mold, silica dust and contaminated debris disturbed during demolition. Most general liability policies exclude pollution, so this coverage is separate.
Covers cleanup costs and third-party injury or damage.
Often required on commercial and public demolition contracts.
Contractor’s Equipment (Inland Marine): Covers excavators, skid steers, breakers and attachments.
Excess Liability (Umbrella): When the standard $1M limit isn’t enough.
Builders Risk: For projects you also rebuild.
And More
Demolition Insurance by State
Oregon: You need a CCB license, and your bond and liability minimums depend on your endorsement. See Oregon demolition contractor insurance.
Washington: Demolition contractors register with L&I and keep a bond and liability insurance on file. Workers’ comp comes only from L&I. See Washington demolition contractor insurance.
California: Demolition requires a CSLB C-21 (Building Moving/Demolition) license and a $25,000 license bond. Asbestos work requires separate certification.
Nevada: The NSCB licenses demolition as A-13 (Wrecking Buildings).
Arizona: The ROC classification is C-57 (commercial), R-57 (residential) or CR-57 (dual) Wrecking.
Texas: No statewide demolition license, but the Department of State Health Services requires notice at least 10 working days before demolishing any building except a single private residence.
Colorado: No statewide demolition license, but the state health department (CDPHE) requires an asbestos inspection by a Colorado-certified inspector and a demolition notification at least 10 working days before work starts.
Under federal asbestos rules, most commercial and multi-unit demolitions need an asbestos inspection and advance notice to the air agency.
Main line: (949) 868-7350
Jesus Galvan, licensed insurance broker in OR, WA, CA, NV, AZ, TX and CO. Se habla español.
Need a COI Today?
GCs and owners usually ask demolition subs for $1M/$2M GL with no demolition exclusion, additional insured, waiver of subrogation, pollution coverage and proof of workers’ comp. Send us the contract requirements and we’ll confirm your policy meets them before you sign.
5 Demolition Exclusions That Can Leave You Uninsured
1. Demolition exclusion
Many contractor policies exclude demolition, or cover only interior demolition below a set size.
2. Pollution and asbestos exclusion
Most GL policies exclude asbestos, lead and other pollutants. A separate pollution policy fills the gap.
3. Collapse and adjacent property limits
Excludes or caps damage to neighboring buildings from collapse, vibration or undermining.
4. Explosives and blasting exclusion
Excludes any work using explosives, which matters if you do implosions or rock blasting.
5. Subcontractor and action-over exclusions
Some policies require every sub to carry their own insurance naming you as additional insured, or a claim on that job may be denied. We review these provisions before you sign and tell you plainly what’s covered and what it would cost to fix.
Demolition Contractor Insurance FAQ
What insurance do demolition contractors need?
General liability without a demolition exclusion, contractors pollution liability, workers’ comp, equipment coverage and commercial auto. Larger commercial jobs usually add an umbrella.
Does general liability cover demolition work?
Only if the policy doesn’t exclude it. Many contractor policies exclude demolition or cover only interior demolition, so check before you take a structural job.
Do demolition contractors need pollution insurance?
In most cases, yes. GL policies usually exclude asbestos, lead and dust claims, and many commercial and public contracts require a pollution policy.
Do I need a license to do demolition?
It depends on the state. California requires a C-21 license, Nevada an A-13, Arizona a C-57, R-57 or CR-57, and Oregon and Washington require contractor licensing or registration. Texas and Colorado have no statewide demolition license but do require asbestos notification before most demolitions.
Can I get insurance if I’ve had claims or I’m a new business?
Usually, yes. We work with specialty carriers that write new demolition companies and contractors with prior claims, though pricing and terms vary.
Contact
Call
info@hardhatinsurance.net
Hard Hat Insurance is a specialized marketing division of Bearstar Insurance Services.
Insurance services provided by Bearstar Insurance Services.
Jesus Galvan is a licensed insurance broker in CA, NV, TX, AZ, OR, CO, and WA.
License numbers available upon request. Coverage availability varies by state.
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