Scaffolding Insurance

State laws and local regulations typically require scaffolding contractors to have a license and permit. To obtain them, you may need to be bonded and insured.

Here are several examples of what you might need:

• Business license. To form a business, you'll need to get a business license and register with your local government.
• Contractor's license. In many states, you'll need a contractor's license to erect and dismantle scaffolding. You may need to be a certain age, pass an exam, pay a fee, and show proof of liability coverage or a bond.
• Local permits. You may need a permit from your city, county, or other municipality to install scaffolding over a certain height or in a public space.
• OSHA training. Contractors may need to earn the Competent Person: Scaffolding certification and comply with safety standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Even when it's not required, a license or certification can help your scaffolding business get contracts and win bids, while insurance protects against costly accidents that might otherwise lead to bankruptcy.

Yes, some types of scaffolding insurance may be necessary to comply with laws or the terms of contracts. Here's when you might need insurance:

• You need a license. State licensing requirements for contractors often mandate general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance, even if you work alone.
• State laws require coverage. Almost every state mandates workers' compensation insurance for businesses with employees, sometimes even for sole proprietors in the construction industry. Similarly, most states require commercial auto insurance for vehicles owned by a business.
• Your landlord requires it. You'll typically need to show proof of liability insurance to sign a lease for an office or other commercial space.
• Your clients request it. Clients and partners may require you to be insured, so they know they'll be protected in the event of a lawsuit.

Even when it's not required, it's important to carry liability insurance to protect against unexpected financial losses from accidents and lawsuits.

Scaffolding contractors often rely on other types of installation insurance as part of a comprehensive risk management strategy:

• Commercial property insurance covers your office and its contents, including computers, furniture, and equipment stored at your business address. If you don't have an office, you can buy business personal property (BPP) coverage to protect the items that belong to your business instead.
• Equipment breakdown insurance helps your business recover if a piece of critical machinery or equipment breaks down unexpectedly, such as a scissor lift used to install scaffolding.
• Inland marine insurance protects business property that travels to jobsites, including power drills and other equipment. It also covers items in transit and stored off-site.
• Business interruption insurance covers loss of income and operating expenses if your business is forced to close temporarily due to a fire or other covered property claim. It's also called business income coverage.
• Commercial umbrella insurance, similar to excess liability insurance, activates to provide coverage when your underlying general liability insurance, commercial auto insurance, or employer's liability insurance policy reaches the limit on a claim.
• Builder's risk insurance covers a structure under construction in the event of fire, theft, or vandalism. It also covers the materials at a construction site.

Our licensed insurance agents can help you find the best insurance solutions for your scaffolding work, including bonds and specialty coverages.