A scaffold is a temporary and raised platform construction companies use to elevate equipment and build a structure. According to a study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 4,500 injuries and around 60 deaths occur due to scaffold accidents.
You face many risks as a scaffolding contractor. The general contractor might file a claim for breach of contract. One of your employees can fall from a height. Even worse, you might need to halt business operations.Â
One way to make your business immune to adversities is to have scaffolding contractor insurance. In this article, we discuss the fundamental policies you should purchase, the add-ons you can include, and the coverage limits of each policy.
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Products and completed operations aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Advertising injury coverage aggregate limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Tenant’s legal liability coverage limit | $300,000/$1,000,000 | $300,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Included | Can be included | No |
| Hired/non-owned auto liability coverage included? | Yes | No | No | Can be included | Can be included |
| Equipment breakdown floater included? | No | Yes | Yes | Can be included | Can be included |
| 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 |
General liability insurance is crucial coverage for construction professionals and scaffolding contractors. This policy ensures you don't subject your business to financial losses after an accident. It is customized to cover any claims made by customers, visitors, vendors, competitors, or third parties.
Accidents or injuries that occur on the premises of your business
When you accidentally damage a third party's property
Any claims of bodily harm that result from your services or products
Lawsuits closely linked to completed services or projects
Claims of copyright infringement, libel, or defamation
Tools and equipment insurance–This add-on will protect your scaffolding tools and equipment. It can offer you reimbursement for replacing or repairing items after an accident
Installation floater–This covers equipment or materials used during construction projects. It will protect against loss or damage of your items while they are on the job site or in transits
General liability insurance for scaffolding contractors has a $1 million-$2 million per occurrence and aggregate limit.Â
Some companies offer general liability coverage in their self employed scaffolder insurance program as a short-term policy. It offers a $1 million-$2 million per occurrence and aggregate limit. Policy duration lasts for hours, days, or weeks.Â
| CoverWallet | NEXT | Thimble (Best) | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $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 |
| Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Yes | Can be included | No |
| HIPAA coverage included? | No | No | No | No | No |
| Sexual misconduct coverage included? | No | No | No | No | Can be included |
| License defense coverage included? | No | No | No | No | Can be included |
| Deductible | $500 | $500 | $500 | $50/$10,000 | $500 |
This scaffolders liability insurance protects you from claims of professional mistakes or negligence while offering services. Although you are an experienced scaffolder, mistakes are often inevitable, and you might face expensive lawsuits.
Faulty designs or calculations that lead to accidents
Improper installation or assembly that causes accidents
Inadequate safety measures that put your clients at risk
Failure to meet building codes that leads to costly losses
Failure to warn customers about potential hazards
Pollution liability insurance–This add-on will cover any claims related to pollution events associated with your scaffolding operations. It safeguards you from incurring liabilities due to the release of harmful products
Cyber liability insurance–You manage your clients' sensitive data as a scaffolding contractor. This scaffolding insurance policy can safeguard your business in case a data breach occurs
If you are accused of professional negligence or errors, your insurer will provide you with a coverage limit to pay associated costs. Generally, you can get a limit of $1 million to $5 million for a single occurrence. You can also receive $3 million to $10 million as the aggregate limit.
Scaffolding public liability insurance protects you from legal and financial problems if a pedestrian is hurt or your scaffolding activities damage their property. This insurance covers legal expenses, medical expenses, and compensation claims if you are held liable for an accident.Â
Accidents and injuries–If a scaffolding accident occurs on your worksite, the insurance can cover medical expenses, rehabilitation, and legal claims.
Property damage–If your scaffolding damages third-party buildings, vehicles, or other structures, your insurance may cover repairs or replacement
Legal expenses–If scaffolding activities lead to a lawsuit or legal issue, public liability insurance for scaffolding company can pay lawyer fees, court costs, and settlements
Personal injury claims–Public liability insurance can help pay for third-party claims that your scaffolding caused emotional distress, reputational damage, or other non-physical harm
Depending on your business's specific policy and needs, the coverage limit for this scaffolders liability insurance typically ranges between $1 million and $5 million.
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| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $260,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $25,000 | $60,000 |
| Contents coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $22,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $25,000 | $60,000 |
| Outdoor signs | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Accounts receivable | Excluded | Excluded | $5,000/10,000 | Included | Excluded |
| Money and securities | Excluded | $2,500 | $1,000 | Included | Excluded |
| Lock and keys | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Business interruption floater | Excluded | Included | Included | Included | Excluded |
| Equipment breakdown floater | Excluded | Included | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Inland marine insurance floater | Excluded | Excluded | $10,000 | Excluded | Excluded |
| Employee dishonesty floater | Excluded | $5,000 | $2,500 | Included | Excluded |
Commercial property insurance protects owned or rented buildings. It also includes equipment, inventory, or tools you use to conduct your operations. This scaffolding insurance policy also comes with business interruption insurance. Thus, the policy will reimburse you for the lost income if you are forced to close your business due to a covered event. This scaffolding contractors insurance covers perils such as:
Theft
Vandalism
Wind
Lightning
Fire
If a fire breaks out and damages your scaffolding materials or equipment, this policy will pay for the cost of rebuilding or repairing your damaged property
Valuable equipment is stolen; this coverage will pay for the replacement of the items
Scaffolding structures are vandalized, leading to destruction and damage; the coverage will pay for the replacements and repairs
Natural disasters lead to the destruction of your scaffolding structures; the insurance will cover the replacement and repair costs
Builder's risk insurance–This add-on is crucial for contractors working on new projects. This coverage covers the property being constructed against unforeseen damage or loss
Equipment breakdown coverage–This add-on can cover your essential items from issues such as electrical failure or mechanical breakdown. It cushions your business from interruptions in the event of these accidents
Regarding the coverage limit for your commercial property, your insurance company bases it depending on the estimated costs needed to repair or rebuild your physical assets. But generally, you can be paid $10,000 to $5 million in coverage.
