It depends on the policy and the facts of the loss — we will not promise that a given claim is covered. On a typical commercial general liability form, coverage may be available for resulting damage to a customer’s other property — for example flooring, drywall, or cabinets damaged by a leak after you have finished a job — under the products-completed operations part of the policy, subject to the terms, limits, and any endorsements. What a standard form generally does not pay for is the cost to repair or replace your own defective work (the fitting, the valve, or the installation itself).

Other exclusions can also apply, including damage to property in your care, custody or control, damage to “that particular part” you were working on at the time, and — on many contractor policies — mold or fungi. Endorsements can narrow completed-operations coverage further. If a customer reports a leak, call us and we’ll review the policy with you.

Yes. In fact, we issue certificates of insurance for general contractors, property owners, property managers, and municipalities. Tell us who needs the certificate and any wording they require, and we’ll usually turn it around the same business day when the policy allows it.

Many construction contracts also ask to be named as an additional insured, often with primary and non-contributory wording, and some also ask for a waiver of subrogation. However, those are policy endorsements, not something a certificate can create on its own. Send us the insurance section of the contract before you sign, and we’ll confirm whether your policy can meet the request and then issue the certificate to match.

You should collect current certificates showing general liability and workers’ compensation (when they have employees) before a sub starts a job, and keep them on file. If a sub has no insurance, their payroll may be added to your workers’ comp audit, and you can be left with their injuries or their mistakes. Many carriers also ask whether you use written agreements that require additional-insured and hold-harmless wording.

Generally, yes. Pennsylvania requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation if they have even one employee who could be injured in this state — including part-time employees and, in many cases, family members who work in the business. Sole proprietors and certain partners or executive officers may be able to exclude themselves. Uninsured subcontractors may be treated as your employees at audit. We’ll walk through how your crew is set up, and you can also start from our workers’ compensation quote page.

Usually not, because general liability covers injury and damage you cause to other people and their property, not your own tools. A commercial auto policy typically covers the vehicle, not the pipe wrenches, PEX tools, and parts in the bed or cargo area. An inland marine or tools-and-equipment floater is the coverage designed for tools and equipment at the shop, in the truck, or on the job.

Yes, because carriers look at the mix of residential versus commercial work, and new construction versus service and repair, when they price and accept an account. Meanwhile, some markets prefer service work, while others are more open to new-construction rough-in. In addition, commercial and municipal jobs often require higher limits, additional-insured wording, and sometimes a commercial umbrella. Tell us the mix on the form and we’ll match you with markets that write that work. If you also need a broader contractor policy, see our contractor insurance page.

Often, yes. Many carriers will consider a new venture when the owner has hands-on plumbing experience, even if the business itself is new. Then be ready to share your years of experience, the kind of work you’ll do, and estimated receipts and payroll. Some markets have tighter rules for brand-new businesses, but we can still shop the ones that will look at you. In other words, you can still request plumber insurance in Pennsylvania when you are just getting started.

If you do $5,000 or more a year of residential home-improvement work in Pennsylvania, the Attorney General generally requires you to register under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, carry general liability of at least $50,000 per person for personal injury and $50,000 for property damage, and show your PA# on ads, contracts, and estimates. However, most general contractors and customers ask for far higher limits — $1 million is typical. Still, registration is separate from any local plumber’s license your city or borough may require.

A description of the work you do (including gas, sewer or excavation, backflow, boiler, HVAC, or fire-sprinkler work), your residential versus commercial and new versus service mix, years in business and experience, receipts and payroll, employee and subcontractor information, vehicles and tool or equipment values, and your current carrier, expiration date, and any claims in the last five years. Finally, the form below walks you through it — estimates are fine.