Workers' Comp Insurance for Construction Employers
Workers' comp for general contractors, subs, and trades — with subcontractor cert tracking, class-code discipline, and audit survival built in.
Top Construction Workers' Comp Exposures
We write coverage built around the injuries and claims that actually happen in construction — not generic small-business policies.
- falls from heights
- struck-by machinery
- electrocution
- caught-in/between
- back injuries from lifting
Audit Traps We Watch For
Most construction premium surprises come from the same handful of audit findings. Here's what we help employers catch and dispute:
- uncertified subcontractor payroll pulled into your premium
- 1099 crew reclassified as employees at audit
- executive officers wrongly in a high-rate code
- overtime payroll not stripped to straight-time
- material handling lumped into framing class
Class codes most common for construction: NCCI codes 5403, 5645, 5606, 5213 (carpentry, framing, exec, concrete)
Construction Workers' Comp by State
State-specific construction guides with local rules and class codes:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need workers' comp if all my crew are 1099 subs?
Usually yes. If the subs don't carry their own certificates of insurance, their payroll rolls into YOUR audit at YOUR class-code rates — even if you treat them as independent contractors. Always collect current COIs before work starts and store them through the policy term plus audit window.
How do I keep my E-Mod down on a construction policy?
Three levers matter most: a written safety program with toolbox talks, an aggressive return-to-work policy (light-duty beats indemnity every time), and clean separation of class codes so office and field payroll don't blend. A single serious claim can push your E-Mod above 1.0 for three policy years.
Can I exclude myself as the owner on my construction WC policy?
Most states let sole proprietors, LLC members, or corporate officers elect out of coverage — but GCs will often require you to be INCLUDED before they'll let you on their jobsite. Before excluding, check what your biggest customers' insurance addenda require.
Why did my premium spike after the audit?
Usually one of four things: subcontractor payroll without COIs, crew reclassified into higher-rate codes, payroll that wasn't reported for a whole period, or the auditor used gross payroll instead of capped payroll for officers. All four are disputable with documentation.
Get a construction-focused policy review
We'll pull your current policy, audit exposure, and class codes apart and tell you exactly what we'd change and why. No pressure, no pitch.
Get In Touch