Oregon Excavation Contractor Insurance
General liability with underground damage coverage, workers' comp, equipment and CCB bonds for Oregon excavators, from a licensed broker who knows how dirt work gets underwritten. Same-day certificates of insurance. Call our Oregon line: (971) 430-4717.
What Insurance Does an Oregon Excavation Contractor Need?
Oregon has no separate excavation license. Excavators are licensed by the Construction Contractors Board (CCB), and your minimums depend on your endorsement: Residential Specialty needs $300,000 per occurrence in liability and a $20,000 bond; Residential General $500,000 and a $25,000 bond; Residential Limited $100,000 and a $15,000 bond; Commercial Specialty Level 2 $500,000 and a $25,000 bond; Commercial Specialty Level 1 $1,000,000 aggregate and a $55,000 bond. Most GCs and public agencies still require $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate, and a lapse in your bond or insurance puts your license on hold.
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 Oregon excavators with carriers that understand dirt work, files your insurance and bond with the CCB, and reads the exclusions before you sign. Whether you dig foundations in Salem, trench for utilities in Portland, or clear and grade lots in Bend, we match your coverage to your endorsement, 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 CCB endorsement.
Additional insured, waiver of subrogation and primary/non-contributory wording when your GC requires it.
Surety Bonds
Oregon CCB License Bond
Every Oregon contractor must keep a surety bond on file with the CCB, and the amount depends on your endorsement. We can often issue CCB bonds the same day, with a quick quote and no long application.
Bad credit programs available.
Bonds for residential and commercial endorsements.
Oregon 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. We compare SAIF with private carriers that write excavation, and exempt sole proprietors can still buy coverage when a GC requires it. Oregon's average pure premium rises about 2.1% in 2027, so it's a good year to review your codes and experience mod.
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 Oregon 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 Oregon. We insure excavation contractors statewide.
Portland & the Valley: Portland, Salem, Eugene.
Central & Southern: Bend, Medford, Grants Pass.
Oregon line: (971) 430-4717
Jesus Galvan, licensed insurance broker, Oregon license #20617222. 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.
Oregon Excavation Insurance FAQ
Do I need a special license to do excavation work in Oregon?
No. Oregon has no separate excavation license. You need a CCB license with the right endorsement, plus the bond and liability insurance that endorsement requires.
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 Oregon's locate 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.
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 excavation companies and contractors with prior claims, though pricing and terms vary.
What is the workers' comp class code for excavation in Oregon?
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.
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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