Drywall Contractor Insurance
General liability, workers’ comp, license bonds and commercial auto for drywall hangers, tapers, metal stud framers and plaster contractors, from a licensed broker who works with construction trades. Same-day certificates of insurance. Call (949) 868-7350.
Who insures drywall contractors?
Hard Hat Insurance partners with specialty insurance carriers to place coverage for drywall contractors, including hanging and taping crews, metal stud and ceiling contractors, new drywall companies and contractors other agents have declined. Licensed broker Jesus Galvan places general liability, workers’ comp, commercial auto, tools and equipment, and license bonds through Bearstar Insurance Services, in all 50 states. Price depends mostly on your payroll, your sales, your state, residential versus commercial work and your claims history.
Call (949) 868-7350 · Oregon (971) 430-4717 · Washington (509) 355-9480 · Se habla español.
What Insurance Does a Drywall Contractor Need?
Most drywall contractors need four things: general liability with completed operations coverage, workers’ comp as soon as anyone else is on your crew, a license bond where your state requires one, and commercial auto for the trucks and trailers that haul board and tools. Builders and GCs usually ask drywall subs for $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate, plus additional insured, waiver of subrogation and primary/non-contributory wording.
Drywall is harder to insure than it looks. Much of it is done on new homes and multi-unit buildings where construction defect claims are common, and mold, moisture and cracking can show up after the job is done. Workers’ comp is also expensive because of lifting, stilts and scaffolding. The Hard Hat Insurance team, the marketing division of Bearstar Insurance Services, places drywall contractors with carriers that want this work and reads the exclusions before you sign.
Commercial General Liability
Drywall General Liability
General liability pays when your work damages property or injures someone who isn’t your employee. For drywall contractors, common claims are damage to finished floors, cabinets and fixtures, injuries to other trades from falling board or scaffolding, and cracking, nail pops or moisture problems after the job is finished. Completed operations coverage matters as much as coverage during the job.
Coverage for new residential, tract and multi-unit work when that’s what you do.
Additional insured, waiver of subrogation and primary/non-contributory wording when your GC requires it.
Surety Bonds
Contractor License & Permit Bonds
Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada and Arizona all require a contractor bond to get or keep your license, and many cities require permit bonds. We can often issue bonds the same day, with a quick quote and no long application.
Bad credit programs available.
License, permit and contract bonds.
Drywall installation is rated high for workers’ comp because of lifting, stilts and scaffolding, and some states split hanging, taping and metal stud work into different codes. Reporting payroll under the right codes, and putting office staff and estimators under their own lower-rated codes, 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 that write drywall, including for crews that were dropped or declined.
Pay-as-you-go options available (helps cash flow).
Waivers of subrogation for builder and commercial contracts.
Workers' Compensation
What We Cover
Commercial Auto
Work Truck & Fleet
Your personal auto policy may not cover an accident in a truck used for work, especially one hauling a trailer full of board, mud and scaffolding. Commercial auto covers your work trucks, trailers and the drivers you hire, with higher limits when a contract calls for them.
Builders Risk
Builders Risk (Course of Construction)
Protect your project from fire, wind, water damage and theft of materials, all common on job sites. We cover the structure from the ground up until the job is signed off.
Covers materials on-site and in transit.
Required by most lenders for new construction and remodels.
Inland Marine (Tools & Equipment): Covers theft of your generator, compressor and hand tools from the job site or your truck.
Professional Liability: For design-build contractors and construction managers.
Excess Liability (Umbrella): When the standard $1M limit isn’t enough for a big commercial contract.
And More
Drywall Insurance by State
Oregon: Drywall contractors need a CCB license. Your bond and liability minimums depend on your residential or commercial endorsement. See Oregon contractor insurance.
Washington: Drywall contractors register with L&I as specialty contractors and keep a bond and liability insurance on file. Workers’ comp comes only from L&I. See Washington contractor insurance.
California: The CSLB licenses drywall as C-9, with a $25,000 license bond. Starting January 1, 2028, California will require workers’ comp for every licensed contractor, even with no employees. See California contractor insurance.
Nevada: Drywall work requires an NSCB license in the matching specialty classification, and the board sets your bond amount. See Nevada contractor insurance.
Arizona: Drywall contractors need an ROC license in the matching classification (residential, commercial or dual) and a license bond. See Arizona contractor insurance.
Texas: No statewide drywall license, but builders and GCs ask for proof of insurance before you start. See Texas contractor insurance.
Colorado: No statewide drywall license. Cities and counties license contractors and set their own insurance rules. See Colorado contractor insurance.
Idaho: Drywall contractors register with the Idaho Contractors Board and keep general liability on file. See Idaho contractor insurance.
Every other state: We serve contractors in all 50 states. Call and we’ll tell you what your state requires.
Main line: (949) 868-7350
Jesus Galvan, licensed insurance broker serving contractors in all 50 states. Se habla español.
Need a COI Today?
Most builders and GCs ask drywall subs for $1M/$2M GL with completed operations, additional insured for ongoing and completed work, waiver of subrogation, primary/non-contributory wording and proof of workers’ comp. Send us their requirements and we’ll confirm your policy meets them before you sign.
5 Drywall Exclusions That Can Leave You Uninsured
1. Mold and fungi exclusion
Excludes claims involving mold. Drywall that gets wet or is hung over moisture can lead to mold claims, so know what your policy says.
2. New residential or tract housing exclusion
Excludes work on new homes or subdivisions. For many drywall contractors that is most of their income.
3. Condo and multi-unit exclusion
Excludes condos, townhomes and apartments, where construction defect lawsuits are most common. If you work multi-family, you need it covered.
4. Subcontractor and action-over exclusions
Some policies require every sub, including tapers you hire, to carry their own insurance naming you as additional insured. Others exclude claims where an injured worker sues the GC, who passes the claim to you.
5. Classification limitation
Covers only the work listed on your policy. If you also do metal stud framing, acoustic ceilings or plaster, those need to be on the policy too.
Drywall Contractor Insurance FAQ
What insurance do drywall contractors need?
General liability with completed operations coverage, workers’ comp once anyone works for you, a license bond in states that require one, and commercial auto for work vehicles. Tools and equipment coverage and an umbrella are common add-ons.
How much general liability do drywall contractors need?
State minimums vary, but most builders and GCs require $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate, and large multi-unit projects often require an umbrella on top.
Why is workers’ comp expensive for drywall?
Lifting heavy board and working on stilts and scaffolding lead to frequent injuries. The right classification, accurate payroll and a safety program bring the rate down. If you have been declined, we work with high-risk workers’ comp markets.
Can I get insurance as a new drywall company or with prior claims?
Usually, yes. We work with specialty carriers that write new drywall businesses and contractors with prior claims, though pricing and terms vary.
Do my tapers or helpers need their own insurance?
If they work for you as employees, they are covered under your workers’ comp. If they are independent subs, most policies require them to carry their own GL and workers’ comp naming you as additional insured, or their claims can land on your policy.
Drywall Contractor Insurance by State
Choose your state for the license, bond and insurance requirements where you work.
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 serving contractors in all 50 states. California License #4291921 · NPN #20617222.
Coverage is placed through Bearstar Insurance Services or partner brokerages and carriers. Availability varies by state.
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