Why do garage door installers need insurance?
Garage doors are extremely heavy, and their torsion springs can inflict serious injuries. Business insurance covers costs if a customer or worker is injured. It can also pay for property damage, theft, and lawsuits related to your work. State laws, leases, and contracts often require insurance.
Find affordable coverage
Fill out an easy online application with Insureon to get quotes from top-rated insurance providers.
A licensed agent will help you find policies that fit your budget and protect against the unique risks of garage door installation.
What types of insurance do garage door installation contractors need?
These insurance policies cover the most common risks faced by garage door installation businesses and contractors.
General liability insurance
A general liability policy covers common third-party risks, such as accidental damage to a customer's vehicle while installing a new garage door. It may be required for a lease, loan, or contract.
- Client bodily injuries
- Accidental damage to client property
- Products-completed operations coverage
Business owner's policy
A business owner's policy, or BOP, is a cost-effective way for garage door installation businesses to buy general liability coverage and commercial property insurance together.
- Customer injuries
- Damage to your building or its contents
- Business interruption coverage
Workers’ compensation insurance
Most states require workers' comp for garage door companies that have employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work injury costs that health insurance might deny.
- Employee medical bills
- Disability benefits
- Legal fees from employee injuries
Commercial auto insurance
This policy covers the cost of repairs and legal bills in an accident involving a contractor's truck or other vehicle. Most states require it for vehicles owned by a business.
- Injuries caused by your vehicle
- Property damage caused by your vehicle
- Vehicle vandalism and theft
Tools and equipment insurance
This policy insures a garage door installer's drills, socket sets, ladders, and other tools and equipment that travel to worksites. It's also called inland marine insurance.
- Drills, locking pliers, and clamps
- Ladders and scaffolding
- Gloves, safety glasses, and other PPE
Cyber insurance
Cyber insurance helps cover the cost of a data breach or cyberattack at your garage door installation business. It's sometimes called cyber liability insurance or cybersecurity insurance.
- Data breach notification costs
- Fraud monitoring services
- Cyber incident investigations
How much does garage door installation insurance cost?
A garage door installer who works independently will pay less for coverage than a larger business.
Factors that affect installation business insurance premiums include:
- Garage door services you offer, such as garage door repairs or installation
- Value of your building and equipment
- Annual business revenue
- Policy deductibles and exclusions
- Coverage options, such as an additional insured
- Claims history
How do I get garage door installer insurance?
It's easy to get insurance for garage door installers and door and window installers if you have your business information on hand. Our application will ask for basic facts about your business, such as revenue and number of employees. You can buy a policy online and get a certificate of insurance with Insureon in three easy steps:
- Fill out our free online application.
- Compare business insurance quotes and choose a policy.
- Pay for the policy and download your certificate.
Insureon's licensed insurance agents work with top-rated U.S. insurance companies to find affordable, comprehensive coverage for your garage door business, whether you're a contractor or an employer.
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FAQs about business insurance for garage door installers
Review answers to common questions about garage door installation insurance.
Do garage door installers need a license or certification?
Most states require a license to open a garage door installation business. An improperly installed garage door can be extremely hazardous, which is why it's regulated.
Here's what you need to know about licenses and permits:
- You may need a contractor's license. In most states, only licensed contractors are allowed to install garage doors. You'll need to demonstrate a certain amount of experience and education to obtain your contractor's license, and in some cases you'll need insurance or a bond.
- You might need a building permit. Depending on the laws in your area, you may need a building permit for this type of project. A building permit ensures compliance with local building codes and health and safety codes that may impact the size and type of garage doors that you're allowed to install.
- You'll need a business license. Businesses of all types typically need to get a business license from their state, county, or city.
Getting licensed keeps your business in compliance with local laws, and can also help you win contracts. In some areas, you can face significant penalties for operating without a license.
What other types of coverage are recommended for garage door installation contractors?
Installation professionals also depend on the following types of insurance coverage as part of a strong risk management strategy:
- Professional liability insurance: This insurance offers financial protection against accusations of professional negligence, such as failure to install the agreed-upon brand of garage door. It's also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O).
- Commercial umbrella insurance: Umbrella insurance boosts the coverage of other policies once they reach their limit, such as general liability insurance, commercial auto insurance, and employer's liability insurance.
- Installation floater insurance: A type of inland marine insurance, this policy covers damage or theft of a garage door awaiting installation. Commercial property insurance only covers your building and the items inside it, which is why you may need additional coverage.
- Products-completed operations insurance: Typically included in general liability insurance, this coverage pays for legal costs related to your products and completed services. For example, it would provide coverage if a defective garage door closes on a customer's car.