Best business insurance for carpenters

Every small business is different, which is why there's no one insurance company that we recommend when buying carpenter insurance.

Insureon is the #1 digital agency for small business insurance, with access to 100+ U.S. insurance providers to help find the best insurance coverage for your needs. We've helped over 450,000 small businesses get protected with more than 1.8 million policies.

When you compare quotes with our free application, we do the work for you by retrieving quotes from the companies that best match your business needs. That will vary depending on factors like the policies you need, the type of carpentry work you do, your budget, and your geographic location.

While many providers offer business insurance for carpenters, some operate only in limited regions of the country. Many carriers offer a business owner's policy (BOP), which bundles general liability insurance with commercial property insurance at a lower cost than buying the policies separately.

All of our insurance partners are rated excellent or superior by AM Best, a global credit rating agency specializing in the insurance industry.

When looking for the best insurance for carpenters, Insureon will provide quotes from some of the biggest names in the industry. We do the research for you, providing customized quotes only from those carriers who match your risks.

Keep in mind, the cheapest policy isn't always the best choice, as coverage options differ by more than price alone.

Based on financial strength and overall rating, our top providers for carpenter business insurance include:

General liability insurance covers common third-party risks at your carpentry business, such as bodily injuries, property damage, and advertising injuries. This type of liability insurance is often the first policy purchased by small business owners.

Whether you work alone or run a crew, you might need commercial general liability insurance (CGL) to comply with the terms of commercial leases or client contracts. Additionally, some states require a certificate of insurance (COI) in order to get licensed as a carpenter or other contractor.

If a homeowner trips over a stack of boards and breaks their leg, or a worker places a heavy circular saw on an antique table and damages it, a general liability policy would help pay for medical expenses, repairs, and legal costs.

For general liability coverage, carpenters often choose:

• Acuity Insurance
• Liberty Mutual
• CBIC

Acuity has a deep understanding of carpentry and construction insurance, with experts who can help you find coverage tailored to your work. You can get specialized policies that cover unique risks like borrowed equipment, faulty workmanship, or materials awaiting installation at a worksite.

With a solid financial strength rating of A+ from the credit rating agency AM Best, you can depend on Acuity to insure both large firms and one-person carpentry businesses, with cost-saving bundles available for small businesses.

Learn how you can find cheap general liability coverage.

A business owner's policy, or BOP, combines general liability coverage and commercial property insurance in one policy. Bundling these two types of insurance is typically less expensive than buying them separately.

Most BOPs include business interruption insurance, also called business income insurance. This type of coverage pays for expenses from a temporary closure related to a storm, fire, or other business property insurance claim.

Small carpentry businesses are often eligible for a BOP, especially those with fewer than 100 employees and less than $1 million in annual revenue.

For business owner’s policies, carpenters often consider:

• Acuity Insurance
• Liberty Mutual
• The Hartford

The Hartford serves more than 1 million small businesses and has a solid financial strength rating of A+ from AM Best. With over 200 years of experience, carpenters can depend on The Hartford for reliable coverage and a wide range of policies in one place.

Workers’ compensation insurance covers medical bills and lost wages from work-related injuries and illnesses. It usually includes employer's liability insurance, which covers lawsuits from workplace injuries.

Workers' comp is required in most states for carpentry businesses that have employees. Some states, such as Florida, require it even for carpenters who have no employees.

Sole proprietors and independent contractors sometimes choose to carry this coverage for themselves, when permitted, as health insurance providers can deny claims for injuries related to your job.

For workers’ comp coverage, carpenters often consider:

• Acuity Insurance
• GUARD
• The Hartford

GUARD is backed by the financial strength of Berkshire Hathaway, with an A+ Superior rating from AM Best. With coverage tailored specifically for carpenters, GUARD understands your unique risk profile and has gained a reputation as a trusted source of workers' comp within the construction industry as a whole.

Beyond simply covering claims, GUARD offers loss control measures to help you avoid costly incidents before they occur. Carpentry businesses that invest in safety measures are often rewarded with lower premiums.

Learn more about how to find affordable workers' comp coverage.

Tools and equipment insurance, also called inland marine insurance, provides coverage for your business property no matter where it goes. That includes saws and hammers in transit, ladders and lifts at a construction site, and materials in off-site storage.

For example, if a vandal breaks into a construction site at night and your tools and scaffolding are spray painted, or a worker drops a track saw from a balcony and it's destroyed on impact, this policy will reimburse you for the lost or damaged items. Items worth more than $2,500 may need to be scheduled separately on the policy.

For tools and equipment coverage, carpenters often choose:

• Liberty Mutual
• Acuity Insurance
• CBIC

Liberty Mutual has over 100 years of experience in business insurance, with a solid A rating from AM Best. It offers 24-hour claims assistance, plus a quick and easy claims process, available online or through an app.

Liberty also has a strong focus on prevention, with a library of over 1,000 downloadable safety resources for its customers.

Commercial auto insurance is required in most states for carpentry businesses that own vehicles. This type of business insurance covers legal bills, medical expenses, and property damage if a company-owned vehicle is involved in an accident.

You can also opt for protection against vehicle theft, vandalism, and other types of damage, depending on your business needs. To insure a personal, rented, or leased vehicle used by your carpentry business, consider buying hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA) instead.

Carpenters often insure their business vehicles with policies from:

• Acuity Insurance
• Liberty Mutual
• Progressive

Founded in 1937, Progressive has an A+ rating from AM Best and is the largest provider of commercial auto insurance in the United States, with coverage available in every state. It offers broad coverage to small carpentry companies, with a wide range of coverage options.

Progressive offers discounts on commercial auto insurance when combined with general liability or a business owner’s policy. It also offers a 15% discount for businesses that pay their annual premiums up front, and a 24/7 customer support line.

Learn how to get cheap commercial car insurance.

Each state has its own laws and regulations for carpenter insurance, which is one reason why some carriers are dominant in certain states. Here are the primary business insurance providers for carpenters in our top 10 states:

With so many companies offering business insurance, finding the right coverage can feel overwhelming. Insureon makes the process easy by retrieving small business insurance quotes that match the risks of your carpentry business.

We can help you find all the policies you need in one place, from general liability to workers' comp, professional liability insurance, surety bonds, and coverage for your tools, office, and vehicle. Our licensed agents can evaluate your business needs and help you choose the right policies at an affordable price.

Start your free online quote today with Insureon and we’ll match you with the best A-rated insurance providers for your unique needs, so you can get back to business fast.