Tennessee Contractors Insurance & Bonds
Contractor insurance for Tennessee builders and trades from a broker licensed in Tennessee. General liability for your license, workers’ comp, fast certificates and coverage built for Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga. Call (949) 868-7350.
Keeping Your Tennessee Contractor License in Good Standing
The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors requires a contractor license for projects of $25,000 or more. In nine counties (Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford and Shelby), residential work from $3,000 to $24,999 needs a home improvement license. Electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC and roofing subcontractors need a license for work of $25,000 or more, and masonry subcontractors at $100,000.
The Hardhat Insurance Team is the marketing division of Bearstar Insurance Services. Jesus Galvan is a licensed insurance producer in Tennessee, and policies are placed through Bearstar Insurance Services with standard and specialty carriers that write Tennessee contractors. Licensed contractors must show proof of general liability, and we issue certificates the Board, your GC and your city will accept.
Commercial General Liability
Tennessee General Liability
Tennessee asks for proof of general liability with your contractor license, and most general contractors and commercial jobs want $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate. Larger projects often want an umbrella on top. We quote limits that fit the contract, not just a minimum.
Additional insured, waiver of subrogation and primary/non-contributory wording when your GC requires it.
Coverage for residential, commercial and remodeling work.
Surety Bonds
Tennessee Contractor Bonds
Home improvement licensees must show $10,000 in financial responsibility, and a surety bond is the simplest way to meet it. Cities and counties may also require license or permit bonds, and public projects usually require payment and performance bonds.
Bad credit programs available.
Home improvement, permit and public works bonds.
In Tennessee, a contractor with even one employee needs workers’ compensation. We compare carriers that write Tennessee contractors to find a rate that fits your payroll and class codes.
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
Your personal auto policy may not cover an accident while you’re driving for work. From I-40 and I-24 traffic to long drives between Nashville, Knoxville and Memphis, protect your work trucks and trailers against accidents, theft and uninsured drivers, with higher limits when a contract calls for them.
Builders Risk
Builders Risk (Course of Construction)
Protect your project from fire, tornadoes, wind and hail, water damage and theft of materials, all common on Tennessee job sites. We quote each project on its exact location.
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
Building a home or project in Tennessee?
Builders risk protects your project from fire, tornadoes, wind and hail, and theft of materials. Send us the details and we’ll quote your project on its exact location, subject to underwriting.
Local Service Area
Serving all of Tennessee. We insure trade specialists statewide.
Middle Tennessee: Nashville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Clarksville.
East & West Tennessee: Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis, Jackson.
Call: (949) 868-7350
Need a COI Today?
Get a certificate your GC, the licensing board or your city will accept, often the same day.
Contractor Insurance in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville & Across Tennessee
We insure contractors across Tennessee. Here is what we see most often in the state’s busiest markets, all with one team and one phone line: (949) 868-7350.
Nashville Contractor Insurance
Davidson County’s building boom means steady work and strict certificate requirements. Residential jobs from $3,000 to $24,999 in Davidson County need a home improvement license, and most GCs want $1M/$2M general liability with additional insured.
Murfreesboro, Franklin & Clarksville
Fast-growing suburbs bring constant new-home and multifamily work. We package general liability, workers’ comp, commercial auto and builders risk for builders and their subs. Rutherford County also requires a home improvement license for smaller residential jobs.
Memphis
Shelby County contractors get the same carriers and fast certificates as Nashville firms. We cover general liability, workers’ comp, commercial auto and bonds for residential and commercial crews.
Knoxville
East Tennessee’s residential and commercial growth keeps framers, roofers and remodelers busy. Knox County is one of the home improvement license counties, and we make sure your certificates match.
Chattanooga
Hamilton County contractors work on everything from downtown projects to new subdivisions. We write coverage for contractors across Hamilton, Bradley and Marion counties.
Jackson & Rural Tennessee
We insure contractors in smaller cities and rural counties too, including commercial auto and tools & equipment for long drives between job sites.
Tennessee Workers’ Comp: The Construction Exemption Registry
Tennessee treats construction differently from other industries. A construction business with one or more employees must carry workers’ compensation, and owners who want to exclude themselves can register for an exemption with the state.
An exemption covers only the owner. It doesn’t cover employees, and many general contractors still require a workers’ comp certificate before you start. Some carriers offer low-cost policies for owner-only contractors who need a certificate.
Uninsured subcontractors can end up on your policy at audit, so collect certificates from every sub.
Class codes and payroll drive your price. We review both before we quote.
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, ID, NV, OR, TX and WA, serving contractors in all 50 states. California License #4291921.
Other license numbers available upon request. Coverage availability varies by state.
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Se habla español: ver el sitio en español