Excavation Insurance California | General Liability Insurance 2024 (2024)

General Liability Insurance for Excavation and Grading Contractor

Excavation Liability Insurance provides coverage and protection for the most common excavation and grading risk. Excavation Liability Insurance is otherwise known as Excavation Contractor Insurance. If you have an excavation business, you must have an adequate insurance policy to protect you and your employees. Moreover, your job as an excavation contractor can be physically demanding and dangerous.

The risks you face as you work with heavy equipment cause you substantial financial loss if an accident occurs. Also, excavation works such as trenching and hitting underground utilities could put you at risk. The good news is that there is specifically designed General Liability Insurance for excavation contractors.

Excavation Insurance California | General Liability Insurance 2024 (1)

Excavation Liability InsuranceSpecial Considerations for Demolition Services

Extreme risks are involved with demolition activities. That’s why your insurance will be highly affected if you provide demolition services in your excavation business. Some insurance companies exclude damages from demolition in the coverage of Excavation Insurance. This is because demolition activities include potential risks to the public.

On the contrary, there are insurance companies who are willing to include demolition coverage. However, the policyholder and the insurance company must agree on the specific conditions that conforms to safety protocols. If you fail to obey the safety protocols set by your insurer, your claim will be denied in case of an accident.

If your excavation business includes demolition services, you may want to work with an insurance agent who can help you find insurance companies that offer demolition coverages. Highly consider safety protocols once you apply for demolition coverage.

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Factors Affecting Excavation Liability Insurance Costs

There are factors that affect the cost of your insurance. For Excavation Insurance, costs vary depending on the business’s location, size, payroll, sales, and years of experience. The type of your business as well as the level of risks you have affect your general liability costs. Apparently, excavation businesses are at high risk of client injuries and property damages.

Businesses with high risk activities normally pay more for General Liability Coverage than those with low risk activities. In addition, if you need to hire subcontractors, you may want to ask them to mention you as additional insured in their policy. If you do so, your Insurance Company can consider them as insured subcontractors. This will cause your insurance premium to decrease.

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Excavation Insurance California | General Liability Insurance 2024 (2)

Excavation Insurance California | General Liability Insurance 2024 (3)

Get the right coverage for Excavation Liability Insurance

The primary job of contractors is excavation, grading, and demolition. But no matter what type of job a contractor does, it is always best to be extra careful. Purchasing coverage for your excavation is a smart decision, given that every comprehensive range of jobs come with significant risks. Here is a list of the most common coverage for excavation contractors.

Property Damage Coverage pays for repairs or legal fees when an excavator damages the clients’ or neighbors’ property. For example, an excavator hit a water pipe underground or a neighboring fence by accident. This type of insurance ensures the replacement and lawsuits if the neighbors decide to file a case against you.

Medical Payments Coverage provides funds for the medical fees of injuries caused by excavation or grading. It also helps pay for lawsuit expenses if the person injured files a case against you. For example, an excavator unintentionally injures a bystander passing by the construction site. If the bystander decides to sue you, you could end up paying not only for medical fees but also legal costs.

Typically, you are legally liable for the damages you cause to the land, building, or structure you rent for your appliance repair shop. Thus, you need to secure the place you rent to avoid casualties with your landlord. General Liability offers coverage so you can fix the damages in case of fire and other kinds of hazards.

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Additional Insurance Coverage

Repairs, replacements, and medical fees can be quite expensive. For this reason, general contractors highly suggest that their subcontractors should have their insurance. Here are additional types of insurance that excavators need.

Commercial Auto Insurance

It’s a smart decision to buy Commercial Auto Insurance if your excavation business uses vehicles like trucks or pick-ups. Commercial Auto protects if you or your employee injures another person while on the road for business operation.

It also covers damages to other vehicles for which you are at fault. Aside from that, Commercial Auto provides financial assistance for medical expenses of third party injuries. It also includes replacements for items lost due to theft.

Commercial Property Insurance

Commercial Property Insurance protects your business properties. It covers damages in any machine or equipment stored inside your physical location.

Excavation equipment can be expensive. Thus, it is just wise to ensure that your equipment has the right coverage. Commercial Property helps you save a big chunk of money from your business assets.

Business Insurance

Business Insurance helps protect you or your business when you face lawsuits. If you’re a business owner, obtaining Business Owners’ Policy can protect you from bodily injury or property damage claims. Apart from that, it assists with professional errors.

As a business owner, you’re the one responsible to settle the fees for the covered losses. Without Business Insurance, you’ll need to cover the payments of the damages out of pocket.

Umbrella Insurance Coverage

Your regular insurance policies may not be enough to cover damages or serious injuries while on the job site. Umbrella Insurance provides more protection over your business assets as you buy extra Liability Insurance Coverage. It extends its coverage to additional insured groups or individuals.

Inland Marine Coverage

Inland Marine Coverage protects your properties while on the job site or in transit. Moreover, Inland Marine is essential for contractors who work off-site. This coverage can save your finances from spending on replacements or repairs of your heavy or vital equipment.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Every state almost requires the Workers’ Compensation Insurance, also known as Worker’s Comp. This type of insurance compensates for the lost wages of injured employees as well as their medical fees.

Most of the time, it is a requirement for excavation business owners to include coverage for their employees’ injuries. Most excavation owners hire subcontractors to avoid this requirement. This is because subcontractors who have their own insurance include workers’ comp in their policies. Thus, the agreement between excavation owners and subcontractors must be checked to find out if workers’ comp coverage is needed.

Overall, buying your Excavation Liability Insurance is a smart decision to help protect your business. Having an insurance company as your partner in your business would help you save money from immense financial losses. With heavy equipment or materials you work with each day, Excavation Liability Insurance can make your job lighter. Having you and your employees protected gives peace to your excavation business. If you’re ready, you can speak to an insurance agent if you want to know how much coverage you need. Contact one of our insurance experts to get the best quote for you. For immediate assistance, call (833) 916-9071.

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Excavation Insurance California | General Liability Insurance 2024 (2024)

FAQs

What kind of insurance do you need for an excavator? ›

General Liability Insurance For Excavation Contractor

It covers property damage and injuries you may cause to third parties while you are doing earthmoving work. Since most of your work is going to come from general contractors they require that you carry at least a certain amount of liability coverage.

How much does it cost to insure a mini excavator? ›

Excavators Insurance Rates And Coverage
StateCoverageTokio Marine
CA1M/2M$1850
PA1M/2M$1100
WA1M/2M$961
GA1M/2M$1110
4 more rows

Are California contractors required to carry liability insurance? ›

It basically protects you from being on the hook or any work-related medical or legal fees. In California, all licensed contractors are required to carry liability insurance. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this insurance – if you are performing construction work in California, you must have liability insurance.

What is the best insurance for heavy equipment? ›

Chubb (Best for Large Firms & Heavy Equipment)

Chubb is the largest commercial insurer in the U.S. Among a wide range of business policies, Chubb offers comprehensive equipment insurance to help contractors protect their tools and equipment.

What is the top pay for an excavator operator? ›

$72,537

What is an excavator considered? ›

This versatile construction vehicle can do more than dig. An excavator is a large, diesel-powered construction machine made for digging out earth with its bucket to create trenches, holes and foundations. It's a staple of large construction jobsites.

How much can I charge per hour for mini excavator? ›

Excavator hourly rates are $100 to $300 per hour for operators with their own mini excavator, backhoe, or skid-steer loader. Hiring an operator without equipment costs $50 to $150 per hour. Most operators charge a minimum of one day or eight hours.

Is 4000 hours a lot for a mini excavator? ›

Excavator

Mini-excavators typically offer a similar average lifespan of around 10,000 hours. For both excavators and mini-excavators, you'll want to pay special attention to the undercarriage wear and the condition of the tracks.

Is 5000 hours a lot for an excavator? ›

For modern excavators, the operating hours can range from 5,000 to as high as 20,000. There are many factors that influence these numbers, and the best tool to extend their lifespan is a simple maintenance checklist.

What is the minimum liability coverage for California? ›

Here are the minimum liability insurance requirements (per California Insurance Code §11580.1b): $15,000 for injury/death to one person. $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person. $5,000 for damage to property.

What is general liability insurance in California? ›

General Liability Insurance in California

General liability insurance helps protect your business from claims that it caused bodily injury or property damage. This coverage is also known as commercial general liability and business liability insurance.

What is the easiest contractor's license to get in California? ›

In California, you need a contractor license to do any work that costs more than $500. The easiest kind of contractor's license is a Class “B” Contractor's License. This license allows you to do general contracting work.

Do you need insurance for an excavator? ›

Heavy equipment insurance requirements

Excavation and grading contractors are almost always required to have insurance due to the risk of injury and property damage.

What types of insurance are not recommended? ›

15 Insurance Policies You Don't Need
  • Private Mortgage Insurance. ...
  • Extended Warranties. ...
  • Automobile Collision Insurance. ...
  • Rental Car Insurance. ...
  • Car Rental Damage Insurance. ...
  • Flight Insurance. ...
  • Water Line Coverage. ...
  • Life Insurance for Children.

What are the 4 recommended type of insurance? ›

Four types of insurance that most financial experts recommend include life, health, auto, and long-term disability.

What do you need to run excavator? ›

A driver's license is required for all excavator operator positions, and some employers will also require a commercial driver's license. Requirements vary by state and by job. Some employers may also prefer that a worker hold industry certifications related to the equipment they operate.

Is an excavator considered a crane? ›

An excavator is not a heavy-duty material loading machine like a crane. It's a vehicle used for digging, excavating, or tracking the ground. Crawler, hydraulic, skid, and dragline are some of the most common excavator types.

Is an excavator equipment or vehicle? ›

Excavators are popular earthmoving vehicles that feature a bucket, arm, rotating cab and movable tracks. These components provide superior digging power and mobility, allowing this heavy equipment to perform a variety of functions, from digging trenches and breaking holes to lifting away waste and excavating mines.

What is insurance for equipment called? ›

Also known as boiler and machinery insurance, or mechanical breakdown insurance, equipment breakdown insurance helps cover: The cost to repair or replace damaged equipment, including time and labor. Lost income. Spoiled inventory. Necessary expenses incurred during the restoration period.

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