Nevada Excavation Contractor Insurance
General liability with underground damage coverage, workers' comp, equipment and NSCB license bonds for Nevada excavators, from a licensed broker who knows how dirt work gets underwritten. Same-day certificates of insurance. Call (949) 868-7350.
What Insurance Does a Nevada Excavation Contractor Need?
Nevada excavators are licensed by the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) under classification A-7 Excavating and Grading, A-12 if you also pave and surface, or A-15 for sewers, drains and pipe. Every license carries a monetary limit, and the Board sets your license bond after it approves your application, anywhere from $1,000 to $500,000. The NSCB also needs proof of workers' comp, or an exemption if you have no employees. Nevada doesn't set a fixed general liability minimum for licensing, but most GCs, developers and public agencies require $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate.
One cut fiber line or gas main can cost more than a year of premium. Many contractor policies quietly limit underground damage, collapse or pollution, and excavators often don't find out until a utility sends the bill. The Hard Hat Insurance team, the construction division of Bearstar Insurance Services, places Nevada excavators with carriers that understand dirt work, handles your NSCB bond and workers' comp proof, and reads the exclusions before you sign. Whether you grade pads for new homes in Henderson, trench for utilities in Las Vegas, or clear lots in Reno, we match your coverage to your license, your equipment and your GC's certificate requirements.
Commercial General Liability
Excavation General Liability
General liability pays when your work damages someone else's property or injures someone who isn't your employee. For excavators, the most common claims are struck underground utilities, damaged driveways and landscaping, undermined foundations next to a dig, and settling that shows up after the job is finished. That's why XCU (explosion, collapse, underground) and completed operations coverage matter as much as coverage during the job.
Limits matched to your contracts and agency requirements.
Additional insured, waiver of subrogation and primary/non-contributory wording when your GC requires it.
Surety Bonds
Nevada NSCB License Bond
Every Nevada contractor must keep a license bond on file with the NSCB, in the amount the Board sets for your license. We can often issue NSCB bonds the same day, with a quick quote and no long application.
Bad credit programs available.
License, permit and public works bonds.
Nevada excavation is generally rated under class code 6217, Excavation & Drivers. Sewer, pipeline and utility work can fall under different codes, so getting the classification right is the biggest lever on your premium. Office staff (8810) and outside sales or estimators (8742) should be reported separately. Nevada has no state fund, so we compare private carriers that write excavation, and contractors no carrier will write can go to the state's assigned risk plan. If you hire a sub without comp, you can be held responsible for their workers.
Pay-as-you-go options available (helps cash flow).
Waivers of subrogation for commercial contracts.
Workers' Compensation
What We Cover
Commercial Auto
Work Truck & Fleet
Dump trucks, lowboys, equipment trailers and pickups hauling machines need commercial auto. A personal policy won't cover a truck used for hauling, and a loaded trailer changes how the vehicle is rated. Commercial auto covers your 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 Nevada 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.
Contractor's Equipment (Inland Marine): Covers your excavators, skid steers, backhoes and attachments against theft, vandalism, fire, overturn and collapse, on site, in the yard or in transit.
Contractor's Pollution Liability: Covers contaminated soil and fuel or hydraulic spills, which standard GL excludes. Often required on public works and developer contracts.
Excess Liability (Umbrella): Utility, public works and commercial site contracts often require $2M to $5M in total liability.
And More
Local Service Area
Serving all of Nevada. We insure excavation contractors statewide.
Southern Nevada: Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas.
Northern Nevada: Reno, Sparks, Carson City.
Call: (949) 868-7350
Jesus Galvan, licensed insurance broker, Nevada license #3874425. Se habla español.
Need a COI Today?
Most GCs, developers and public agencies ask excavation subs for $1M/$2M GL with completed operations and no XCU exclusion, additional insured, waiver of subrogation, primary/non-contributory wording, an umbrella on utility jobs, and proof of workers' comp. Send us your GC's requirements and we'll confirm your policy meets them before you sign.
5 Excavation Exclusions That Can Leave You Uninsured
1. XCU exclusion (explosion, collapse, underground)
Excludes damage to underground utilities, collapse caused by digging, or blasting. For an excavator, this can remove the coverage you need most.
2. Earth movement or subsidence exclusion
Excludes claims from soil settling, shifting or sliding. Common after foundation digs, retaining walls and grading.
3. Pollution exclusion with no separate policy
Standard GL excludes contaminated soil and fuel spills. Without contractor's pollution coverage, a spill on site may be yours to pay.
4. Subcontractor and action-over exclusions
Some policies require every sub, including haulers, 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 GC, who passes the claim to you. Many GCs require that exclusion removed.
5. Residential or tract housing exclusion
Excludes work on homes or new developments, which can cut out a large share of an excavator's jobs. We review these provisions before you sign and tell you plainly what's covered and what it would cost to fix.
Nevada Excavation Insurance FAQ
What license do I need to do excavation work in Nevada?
Usually an A-7 Excavating and Grading license from the Nevada State Contractors Board, or A-12 if you also pave and surface. Sewer, drain and pipe work falls under A-15. You'll also post the bond the Board sets and show proof of workers' comp or an exemption.
Does general liability cover hitting an underground utility line?
It can, if your policy doesn't exclude underground damage (the "U" in XCU) and you followed Nevada's 811 rules. Check your policy for an XCU exclusion before you dig.
Is my excavator covered by my general liability policy?
No. General liability covers damage you cause to others, not your own machines. Excavators, skid steers and other equipment need a contractor's equipment (inland marine) policy.
What are Nevada's 811 rules for excavators?
Under NRS 455, you notify USA North 811 at least 2 working days and no more than 28 calendar days before you dig, and the ticket stays active for 28 days. Contractors need a ticket even when digging with hand tools. Skipping the call can turn a struck line into a claim your carrier fights.
What is the workers' comp class code for excavation in Nevada?
Excavation is generally class code 6217, Excavation & Drivers. Sewer, pipeline and utility work may use other codes, and office staff and estimators should be classified separately.
What is the general liability class code for excavation?
Most carriers rate excavation general liability under ISO class code 94007 (Excavation). Grading, trenching and land clearing may be classed separately, so how you describe your operations matters. Your workers’ comp code is separate: excavation is generally 6217 in Nevada. A wrong GL class can mean a surprise bill at audit or a denied claim, so we match the class to the work you actually do.
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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