Whether you've been working as a mason for decades or are new to the job, your health, safety, reputation, and financial investment are always at risk. This is why you need insurance just like general contractors.
What if you're hired for a swimming pool project and the masonry easily develops black algae? What if a construction contractor accuses you of breach of contract or defective work? Further, suppose while working with forklifts or tractors, you accidentally hit someone?
These are but a few risks you are exposed to as a mason. And given just how litigious society has become, you want to protect your financial investment by purchasing business insurance.
Masonry contractor insurance is specialty business insurance meant to protect you, your talents, and your hard work. Read this guide to know which policies to get, the cost of premiums, and the best companies to work with.
Masonry contractor liability insurance is sold as a general liability policy and professional liability policy. Proceed to the sections below to know how these work.
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | Nationwide | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $300,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $300,000/$2,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Products and completed operations aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Advertising injury coverage aggregate limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $100,000 |
| Tenant’s legal liability coverage limit | $100,000 | $100,000 | $5,000 | $100,000 | Excluded |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Included | Can be included | Excluded |
| Hired/non-owned auto liability coverage included? | Yes | No | Excluded | Can be included | Excluded |
| Equipment breakdown floater included? | No | Yes | Yes | Can be included | Yes |
| Can you get a certificate of insurance online? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deductible | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
There’s a reason why masonry projects are fenced. But no matter how you restrict access, people can still get hurt one way or another. And so, it’s not a bad idea to purchase general liability insurance.
General liability insurance will take care of the expenses for medical treatment, refunds, settlements, court judgments, and other costs if you cause bodily injuries or property damage to third parties. You can also use this masonry insurance as a shield against slander, libel, and copyright infringement claims. Use the table above to see which insurance company offers the best general liability insurance for masonry contractors.
Here are some of the most common setbacks that general liability insurance will help your masonry business sort out:
A pedestrian or an inspector gets hit by a dump truck or any other heavy equipment you use at the project site
You lose grip on your tool and this falls to an independent contractor working below
An independent contractor is using the scaffolding you made. This crashed down without warning and the person sustained bodily injuries
Slip and fall accidents that inspectors, clients, and other third parties experience
Masonry contractors must have a $1 million-$2 million general liability insurance, which allows clients, landlords, and other third parties to be named as additional insureds.
Yes. General liability insurance can cover defective work. But note that coverage only applies if the finished masonry caused bodily injuries or property damage. That said, if the client is filing a claim for defective work because he or she lost a lot of money, then general liability insurance can’t help you out.
Masonry projects, just like waterproofing projects and tiling projects, can display defects after some time if done wrong. You are going to need product liability insurance, also known as products-completed operations coverage.
Consider this. What if your finished work causes a bodily injury or property damage that can be proven as a result of faulty workmanship? There's a chance that the customer will file a lawsuit against your masonry business. The product liability insurance steps in to cover the legal expenses of the said lawsuit and any court judgments.
Note that product liability insurance isn’t offered as a stand-alone policy. You get this as an automatic inclusion in general liability insurance. Therefore, by getting general liability insurance, you also get product liability insurance.
| CoverWallet | NEXT | Thimble (Best) | Hiscox | Progressive | Nationwide | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Yes | Can be included | No | No |
| Deductible | $500 | $500 | $500 | $50/$10,000 | $500 | $500 |
Clients expect you to provide quality service, follow your end of the contract, and uphold honesty. Transgressions or the failure to do what other masonry contractors would’ve done as professionals can be a ground for a lawsuit.
Professional liability insurance covers claims filed due to your misdeeds as a masonry contractor, such as negligence, breach of contract, deceptive marketing, and others. Use the table above to see which insurance company offers this type of masonry contractor insurance best.
Professional liability insurance will help if a client files a claim because you committed or allegedly committed the following:
Failure to seclude the project site to prevent pets, vagabonds, pedestrians, and other third parties from causing damage
Faking work portfolio
Receiving pay but only provided minimal service or didn’t provide any service at all
Leaving a project halfway before it’s completed
Professional liability insurance can have a defective work endorsement. The defective work endorsement of professional liability insurance will reimburse the financial losses of the client after the finished masonry failed to work as intended, displayed premature break and degradation, has poor alignment, etc.
Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Progressive | Hiscox | Nationwide | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $25,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Contents coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $25,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Outdoor signs | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Accounts receivable | Excluded | Excluded | $5,000/$10,000 | Included | Included | Included |
| Money and securities | Excluded | $2,500 | $1,000 | Included | Included | Included |
| Lock and keys | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Business interruption floater | Excluded | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Equipment breakdown floater | Excluded | Included | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Inland marine insurance floater | Excluded | Excluded | $10,000 | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Employee dishonesty floater | Excluded | $5,000 | $2,500 | Included | Included | Included |
Having commercial property insurance is useful if you own, lease, or rent an office where clients are admitted and a storehouse where tools and equipment are kept. These business properties can get damaged or destroyed, and commercial property insurance gives you the chance to recover. Use the table above to see which insurance company offers the best commercial property insurance for masonry contractors.
Commercial property insurance helps by reimbursing your financial losses if any of the following happens:
Thieves damage your office or storehouse by breaking in
A riot or civil commotion happens, causing damage to your office or store house's door, window, and other structures
A car accidentally crashes to your office or storehouse
A drone or any other aircraft crashes to your office’s or storehouse’s door, roofing, gutter, or any other related structures
A sinkhole collapse swallows your entire office or storehouse
The nearby volcano erupted. This spewed ash that damaged your office or storehouse
Rain, winds, and snow damaged or destroyed your office’s door, roofing, windows, and other structures
No. Masonry projects are not your business property. They're a client’s property which you’re in charge of. And so, the coverage of this masonry insurance doesn’t apply to incomplete masonry projects you’re working on.
| CoverWallet | Thimble | NEXT (Best) | Hiscox | Progressive | Nationwide | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General liability aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $300,000/$2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Commercial property coverage limit | $50,000 | $500,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Optional policies can be added? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Name additional insureds for free? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BOP discount? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
A business owner’s policy is a good option if you're tight on budget but still want comprehensive coverage. This combines general liability and commercial property insurance into one insurance product. Therefore, a business owner’s policy grants protection against third-party liability claims and commercial property damage or loss.
Depending on which insurance company you decide to work with, a business owner’s policy can include add-ons such as equipment insurance, cyber liability insurance, and non-owned/hired auto liability insurance. Use the table above to see which insurance company offers this type of masonry contractor insurance best.
| NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregate limit | $5,000/$10,000 | $2,500/$5,000 | $5,000/$25,000 |
| Covers hired and borrowed equipment? | $5,000/$10,000 | $2,500/$5,000 | No |
| Miscellaneous equipment also covered? | $5,000/$10,000 | No | No |
| Offered as an endorsement to general liability insurance? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deductible | $500 | $500 | $0 |
Equipment and tools insurance allows you to easily cover the repair or replacement of trowels, floats, measuring tapes, measuring boxes, sand screens, buckets, and shovels that got lost or damaged due to theft, fire, vandalism, operator error, impact, upset, and other covered perils. Use the table above to see which insurance company offers the best equipment and tools insurance for masonry contractors.
| Progressive | NEXT | Nationwide | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto liability bodily injury coverage aggregate limit (minimum) | $100,000 CSL | $100,000 CSL | $300,000 CSL |
| Auto liability property damage aggregate limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage limit | $100,000 | $100,000 | $50,000 |
| Rental reimbursement coverage aggregate limit | $1,500 | $900 | Excluded |
| Trailers can be added to commercial auto insurance? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Roadside assistance coverage included | Yes | No | No |
| Safe driving discounts included? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Commercial auto insurance is a coverage for the pickup truck, cargo van, or any other vehicle you use to reach project locations. By purchasing commercial auto insurance, you can cover the resulting expenses if the following happens:
Your commercial vehicle sustains damage due to fire, theft, vandalism, and other covered perils
A vehicular accident happened because of your auto or it’s attached trailer
You got involved in a car accident caused by an uninsured/underinsured driver while using the auto to go to a project site
Your employees can fall from a height, slip on and fall on wet surfaces, sustain cuts, or even develop work-related illnesses. Authorities demand that you purchase workers compensation insurance as a countermeasure against such perils.
Workers compensation insurance will cover the cost for emergency care, hospitalization, medication, rehabilitation, lost wages, and death benefits if an employee sustains a work-related injury or disease.
Purchase workers compensation insurance as soon as one or more full-time and part-time employees are working for your masonry business.
Though originally covered for employees, you can also cover yourself with workers compensation insurance. All you have to do is invest a little and name yourself as an additional insured. Another option for insuring yourself against injuries or illnesses at work is personal accident insurance.
Workers' compensation insurance doesn’t cover an employee that got injured at work. This is why it’s important to get personal accident insurance for the highly valuable talents of your business.
Personal accident insurance will take care of treatment, hospitalization, and lost wages if a covered employee sustains an injury while working out, commuting a public transit, and doing other activities outside of work.
The ones above are the most useful types of insurance for masonry contractors. Nonetheless, you might want to invest further on these policies to enjoy a comprehensive protection against all risks:
Inland marine insurance-Inland marine insurance will reimburse your losses if equipment and materials got lost or damaged while you’re driving to reach a project site
Surety bonds-Surety bonds reimburse the client for any financial loss in the event that you are unable to fulfill the terms of the contract. This allows you to indemnify the losses of the client in case something happens that makes it difficult for you to complete a project
Builders risk insurance-Builders risk insurance will help cover the cost for replacing materials and repairing damages if explosions, theft, vandalism, and other covered perils happens at your masonry project’s site
So, how much does masonry contractor insurance cost? The table below shows the cost of each policy:
| Cost per Month | Cost per Year | Deductible | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General liability insurance | $58 | $696 | $0-$500 |
| Professional liability insurance | $65 | $780 | $500-$1,000 |
| Commercial property insurance | $60 | $720 | $1,000-$2,500 |
| Business owner’s policy | $118 | $1,416 | $500-$1,000 |
| Commercial auto insurance | $70 | $840 | $1,000-$1,500 |
| Workers compensation insurance | $120 | $1,440 | $2,000-$5,000 |
| Inland marine insurance | $59 | $708 | $1,500 |
| Builder’s risk insurance | 1%-5% of the project’s cost | 1%-5% of the project’s cost | $1,500 |
| Surety bonds | Depends on the amount of bond you need | Depends on the amount of bond you need | $1,500 |
The average masonry contractor insurance cost is $58 per month or $696 per year for a $1 million general liability insurance. To arrive at how much you pay for your masonry contractor policy, carriers will consider the following:
Location/state your business is in
The size of your business
Number of employees you have
Annual payroll
Annual revenue and projected income
Kind of masonry services you offer
Value of equipment and property
Note that the premiums you pay for your masonry contracting business will also depend on the insurance carrier you partner with, as well as the deductible and coverage limits you choose. The table below shows how much the best masonry contractor insurance companies charge for a $1 million general liability insurance:
| Cost per Month | Cost per Year | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEXT | $37.50 | $450 | Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for masonry contractors |
| CoverWallet | $45 | $540 | Comparing masonry contractor insurance quotes online |
| Tivly | $47 | $564 | Comparing masonry contractor insurance quotes over the phone |
| Thimble | $49 | $588 | On-demand coverage for masonry contractors |
| Hiscox | $50 | $600 | General liability insurance for masonry contractors with automatic policy renewal |
| Progressive | $53.75 | $645 | Small masonry contracting businesses looking for commercial auto insurance |
| Nationwide | $60 | $720 | Multiple discounts on offer |
Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!
Here are the best masonry contractor insurance companies that you should consider working with. Read some of the reviews below to know their pros, cons and cost of a $1 million general liability insurance.
Best overall
Get an online proof of insurance and send as a text message, email, or social media post
Fastest general liability insurance for masonry contractors
Great customer service and reputation
Issues an online proof of insurance instantly
Outstanding value for money
Bundle two or more insurance policies and get a 10% discount
Couldn’t find any
NEXT's masonry contractor insurance package includes the following:
General liability insurance
Contractors' E&O insurance
Workers' compensation insurance
Tools & equipment insurance
Commercial property insurance
The most popular package is the basic package, which features the following:
Commercial auto insurance with a combined single limit of $100,000
General liability with a per occurrence limit of $1 million
Tools and equipment coverage with a per-occurrence limit of $5,000
Commercial property insurance with a per-occurrence limit of $25,000
NEXT's best coverage is deluxe which includes:
Commercial auto insurance with a combined single limit of $1 million
General liability coverage with a per occurrence limit of $1 million
Tools and equipment coverage with a per-occurrence limit of $10,000
Commercial property insurance with a per occurrence limit of $25,000
Workers' compensation insurance with employer’s liability coverage
Note that to get a quote, NEXT will ask you to call its partner Tivly, which will talk about the details of your coverage through an agent.
Best for: Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for masonry contractors
Average cost: $37.50 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Compare masonry contractor insurance quotes online
Cancel a coverage anytime
Stable rates
Hired/non-owned auto coverage automatically included in general liability insurance
Not an insurance company but an insurance broker
Consider working with CoverWallet for comparing the offers of different insurance companies before getting covered. It has an online platform you can use to collect the quotes of different masonry contractor insurance companies. Once you’re done comparing quotes, CoverWallet allows you to purchase a desired coverage online. You can also choose to talk with an agent to get further details about your coverage.
Best for: Comparing masonry contractor insurance quotes online
Average cost: $45 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Compare quotes over the phone
A partner of many reputable insurance companies
Responsive customer service
You need to call to get a quote
Tivly (formerly CommercialInsurance.NET) grants coverage through its contractor insurance program. You need to call to get quotes. Policies you can get from this company are general liability, commercial property, workers compensation, builders risk, commercial auto insurance, and more. Call Tivly now and compare quotes over the phone.
Best for: Comparing masonry contractor insurance quotes over the phone
Average cost: $47 per month
Our rating: 10/10
On-demand coverage
Numerous add-ons to general liability insurance and business owner’s policy
Quick to issue an estimate of your premiums
Thimble doesn’t cover rented or leased commercial spaces
Thimble’s masonry contractor insurance is available as a short-term and long-term coverage. If you choose to get long-term coverage, then you’ll enjoy these:
$1 million-$2 million general liability insurance
$1 million-$2 million professional liability insurance
$25,000-$500,000 commercial property insurance bundled with general liability insurance in a BOP
As for the short-term coverage, this is a general liability-only plan that grants protection for hours, days, weeks, or months. It all depends on your preference.
Best for: On-demand coverage for masonry contractors
Average cost: $49 per month
Our rating: 9/10
Automatic policy renewal
Quick to process claims
Worldwide coverage
14-day money-back guarantee
Many customers complain that Hiscox rejects claims for unacceptable reasons
Hiscox only sells a general liability policy for masonry contractors online. You can get professional liability insurance, workers' compensation insurance, commercial auto insurance, and others by speaking with a representative. Your general liability policy from this company has a $300,000-$2 million per occurrence and aggregate limit. Upgrades, such as waiver of subrogation and equipment coverage, are available if you’re willing to invest more in premiums.
Best for: General liability insurance for masonry contractors with automatic policy renewal
Average cost: $50 per month
Our rating: 9/10
Reliable and affordable
A variety of coverage options are available.
Pricing is based on your specific business needs
Customizable auto coverage
A wide range of discounts is available to policyholders, with its auto insurance discounts ranking amongst the best in the industry
Policyholders have access to a range of user-friendly online tools and resources
Above-average grade in A.M. Best's rating, which is indicating of good financial health
No optional add-ons to general liability insurance
Progressive Commercial is a trusted carrier for small masonry contracting businesses looking for commercial auto insurance. The carrier ensures a variety of commercial vehicles, from pickup trucks and vans to trailers and tow trucks.
As a mason, Progressive Commercial will cover you under Progressive Advantage Business Program. You are allowed to customize this to fit your business needs as much as possible. Here are the main features of Progressive’s masonry contractor insurance:
General liability insurance with a $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate limit
$50,000 commercial property insurance
Professional liability insurance with a $1 million-$2 million per occurrence and aggregate limit
Commercial auto insurance with a $100,000 combined single-limit auto liability coverage
Best for: Small masonry contracting businesses looking for commercial auto insurance
Average cost: $53.75 per month
Our rating: 8/10
Strong financial backing
A variety of discounts on offer
A large pool of coverage options is available
Claims can be filed via the phone, online, mobile app or through one-on-one with an agent
Higher average insurance costs
Mixed customer reviews
Not available in Hawaii, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Wisconsin
Founded in 1925, Nationwide offers masonry contractors in all 50 states. You get general liability, commercial property, business owner’s policy, professional liability, and commercial auto insurance.
What stands out the most with Nationwide's offering is the multi-policy discount structure they have. This means that a policyholder could easily reduce their annual premiums without compromising the coverage they receive.
Best for: Multiple discounts on offer
Average cost: $60 per month
Our rating: 7/10
Use anyone except Employers. Period. They are non-transparent and shameful. After I complained long enough to warrant a call from a supervisor, the supervisor called back from a PRIVATE NUMBER (no caller ID), left a message that they are not reversing their decision (without any communication with me), and failed to leave a phone number for me to call back. She was hiding! They also fact find via email and phone calls, which is terrific for speed and communication. However, after setting a precedence of email or phone calls, they send time sensitive information via email, without any heads up... they are hoping you miss it and forfeit via expiration. Evil policies. Go elsewhere.
This place is an absolute joke of a company and should be ashamed of the way they conduct business. I was hurt on the job at the end of July and it took them just shy of 7 weeks to issue out a paycheck to me. Yes the amount was back dated but still. Not many have the luxury of not receiving a paycheck for almost 2 months. To top it all off, the original adjuster marked me down for the wrong state which caused a problem from the get go, I've had 3 different adjusters now since each one can't seem to figure out the simplicity of my claim. All my paperwork which includes, my job, house, and drs visits all are from the same state and city but yet some how I have been filed under a completely different state 1500 miles away. They do not answer your phone calls or emails no matter how many you leave. I've had to escalate my frustrations to the supervisors of each of these individuals in order to even get some kind of response. I've had more communication and information given to me about my claim from the customer service representatives then the actual adjusters.......... please tell me how that works?! A serious overhaul needs to happen here in order to serve your clients the way they deserve to be taken care of. 10/10 do not recommend this company to a single soul on earth
I have never had the displeasure of working with a more incompetent and disrespectful person in my life. I’m an injured worker and the adjuster that was assigned to my case was named Carrie Furgeson. In the past 6 weeks that I’ve been injured and out of work I have only been able to get ahold of her twice, not for lack of trying. I have left countless voicemails, countless emails, and she ignores them all. When I am finally able to get ahold of her I’m greeted with terrible customer service. She is rude, she talks over me and I’m hardly able to get a word in edgewise. She spelled my name wrong on my documents even after I spelled it for her properly countless times, this caused a whole new issue with my bank. I have bill collectors from the hospital calling me demanding payment and Carrie Furgeson won’t do a single thing to help, or to get them paid. All of my documentation is in Colorado, my job is in Colorado, my address is in Colorado, all my Dr offices and appointments have been in Colorado and Carrie still managed to hold my claim because she wasn’t sure what state she needed to file it under. It’s been 6 weeks since my Injury and my company still hasn’t received the wage paperwork to fill out so they can get me my correct wages. When she’s not ignoring me she’s answering my questions with “I don’t know” well I don’t know how she got this job, because apparently she doesn’t know anything about it. She is a disgusting morose individual inside and out and I genuinely wish her the worst in all of her future endeavors. I highly recommend you don’t use this company. Please if you are a business owner and your looking into this company please don’t use them. I’m sure they have the cheapest payment and that’s why companies use them in the first place, but you will be doing your employees a grave disservice by forcing them to venture into this absolute dumpster fire of a company. I would rate 0/5 if possible but 1 was the lowest I was allowed.
Their general liability insurance purchase process is simply the best online experience I've ever had in my life!
As long as they cover your line of business, you're literally covered! best rates, best coverage, best online experience, best professionals, can't be happier that I chose them!
Not all those who wander are lost.
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