Framing Contractor Insurance
General liability, workers’ comp, license bonds and commercial auto for framers and rough carpenters, from a licensed broker who works with high-risk trades. Same-day certificates of insurance. Call (949) 868-7350.
Who insures framing contractors?
Hard Hat Insurance partners with specialty insurance carriers to place coverage for framing and rough carpentry contractors, including new framing companies, crews that work for production builders, and framers other agents have declined. Licensed broker Jesus Galvan places general liability that fits the work you actually do, 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, the type of buildings you frame and your claims history.
Call (949) 868-7350 · Oregon (971) 430-4717 · Washington (509) 355-9480 · Se habla español.
What Insurance Does a Framing Contractor Need?
Most framers 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 lumber and tools. Builders and general contractors usually ask framing subs for $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate, plus additional insured, waiver of subrogation and primary/non-contributory wording.
Framing is hard to insure because the work is structural, it happens at height, and much of it is on new homes and multi-unit buildings, where construction defect claims show up years later. Many policies quietly exclude new residential work, condos or anything above a few stories. The Hard Hat Insurance team, the marketing division of Bearstar Insurance Services, places framers with carriers that want framing business and reads the exclusions before you sign.
Commercial General Liability
Framing General Liability
General liability pays when your work damages property or injures someone who isn’t your employee. For framers, the most common claims are falling lumber or tools, injuries to other trades on site, and structural problems such as sagging floors, out-of-plumb walls or water getting in through a framing defect after the job is finished. That’s why 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 frame.
Additional insured, waiver of subrogation and primary/non-contributory wording when your builder 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.
Framing is one of the most expensive workers’ comp classifications in every state, so getting the classification right is the biggest lever on your premium. Carpentry codes are often split by type of building and by pay rate, and office staff and estimators belong under their own lower-rated codes. In Washington, workers’ comp is only available through L&I. Elsewhere, we compare state funds with private carriers that write framing, 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, a lumber rack or a full load of studs and sheathing. 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
Framing Insurance by State
Oregon: Framers need a CCB license. Your bond and liability minimums depend on your residential or commercial endorsement. See Oregon contractor insurance.
Washington: Framers register with L&I as general or specialty contractors and keep a bond and liability insurance on file. Workers’ comp comes only from L&I. See Washington contractor insurance.
California: Framing is licensed by the CSLB as C-5 (Framing and Rough Carpentry), 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: Framing falls under the NSCB carpentry classification, and the board sets your bond amount when you’re licensed. See Nevada contractor insurance.
Arizona: Carpentry and framing contractors need an ROC license and a license bond, with residential, commercial or dual classifications. See Arizona contractor insurance.
Texas: No statewide framing license, but cities require permits and most builders still ask for proof of insurance. See Texas contractor insurance.
Colorado: No statewide framing license. Cities and counties license contractors and set their own insurance rules. See Colorado contractor insurance.
Idaho: Framers 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 framing 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 your builder’s requirements and we’ll confirm your policy meets them before you sign.
5 Framing Exclusions That Can Leave You Uninsured
1. New residential or tract housing exclusion
Excludes work on new homes or subdivisions. For many framers that is most of their income, so this one has to go.
2. Condo and multi-unit exclusion
Excludes condos, townhomes and apartments, where construction defect lawsuits are most common. If you frame multi-family, you need it covered.
3. Height or story limitation
Limits coverage to buildings under a set number of stories. A problem if you frame three- and four-story wood buildings.
4. 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. Others exclude claims where an injured worker sues the builder, who passes the claim to you.
5. Classification limitation
Covers only the operations listed on your policy. If you’re written as finish carpentry and you frame, a framing claim can be denied. We make sure your policy lists the work you really do.
Framing Contractor Insurance FAQ
What insurance do framing 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 framers need?
State minimums vary, but most builders require $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate, and larger multi-unit projects often require an umbrella on top.
Why is workers’ comp so expensive for framers?
Falls and lifting injuries make carpentry one of the highest-rated classes. The right classification, accurate payroll and a clean safety record are what bring the rate down. If you have been declined, we work with high-risk workers’ comp markets.
Can I get insurance as a new framing company or with prior claims?
Usually, yes. We work with specialty carriers that write new framing businesses and framers with prior claims, though pricing and terms vary.
Do I need insurance if I only work as a sub for one builder?
Yes. Builders almost always require their own certificate from you, and their policy usually won’t cover your work. Working without your own coverage can also leave you paying a claim personally.
Framing 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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