Boiler Contractors Insurance Policy Information

Boiler Contractors Insurance. Boiler systems are essential in heating residential buildings and commercial properties alike, but they also have a wide variety of industrial applications - in the chemical and dairy industries, for example.

Boiler contractors install, service, maintain, clean, and repair boilers and pressure vessels in both commercial and residential settings. Boilers heat water or other fluids to high temperatures within a closed steel container inside a building.

While the steam produced by boilers is not used to heat buildings as often as is was in the past, it continues to be used by manufacturers and processors for cooking and other types of production work.

Losses due to a rupture of a high pressure vessel or an explosion can be catastrophic. Boiler services often focus more on prevention measures such as inspection and maintenance than on repairing actual damage.

State or local certification or licensing is usually required for boiler inspectors. The contractor may provide 24 hour emergency services.

As there will always be a need for these important services, there is no question that boiler contractors can run immensely successful businesses. However, while you will do everything you can to ensure that your operation runs smoothly, the fact remains that even the most skilled and professional boiler contractors face risks.

To protect yourself from the massive financial losses that tend to accompany major perils, it is crucial to invest in a well-designed boiler contractors insurance plan. What types of coverage might boiler contractors require? For a closer look, keep reading.

Boiler contractors insurance protects your boiler installation, service and repair business from lawsuits with rates as low as $47/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.

Below are some answers to commonly asked boiler contracting insurance questions:

What Is Boiler Contractors Insurance?
How Much Does Boiler Contractors Insurance Cost?
Why Do Boiler Contractors Need Insurance?
What Type Of Insurance Do Boiler Contractors Need?
What Does Boiler Contractors Insurance Cover & Pay For?

What Is Boiler Contractors Insurance?

Boiler contractors insurance is a type of insurance coverage specifically designed for companies that install, repair, or maintain boilers. This insurance provides protection against various risks and liabilities that may arise from the installation, repair, or maintenance of boilers, such as damage to property, personal injury to employees or customers, and financial losses resulting from malfunctions or breakdowns. The coverage typically includes general liability insurance, workers' compensation insurance, and property insurance.

How Much Does Boiler Contractors Insurance Cost?

The average price of a standard $1,000,000/$2,000,000 General Liability Insurance policy for small boiler contractors ranges from $47 to $69 per month based on location, type of boilers worked on, revenue, claims history and more.

Why Do Boiler Contractors Need Insurance?

Every commercial venture is, constantly, subject to a broad range of risks. Boiler contractors are no exception, as they will face both the risks common to any business and some threats unique to their own branch of commerce.

Your premises could be impacted by an act of nature, such as a wildfire or earthquake, at any time, or a criminal act such as theft or vandalism could lead to devastating losses. Even an accident can lead to massive property damage.

An employee could become injured on the job, or a client may allege that your work led to a catastrophic malfunction and file a lawsuit. Not all perils can be prevented or even anticipated, no matter how hard boiler contractors try to minimize the risks they face.

Any of these perils could inflict devastating financial damage if your business were responsible for all the resulting costs - in some cases, they could even drive you to bankruptcy.

By investing in comprehensive boiler contractors insurance coverage, you cover all your bases; you ensure that, even if your company were to be confronted by unforeseen circumstances, you have the best chance of recovering.

Your insurance is, in other words, an essential backup plan that takes a great deal of uncertainty out of running your own business.

What Type Of Insurance Do Boiler Contractors Need?

Numerous factors influence the types of coverage a boiler contract should carry to protect their business. The location of your business determines what kinds of insurance are legally mandated.

The size of your business, your number of employers, and the value of the equipment you own are other examples of variables that impact your insurance needs. Because navigating the process of obtaining the appropriate boiler contractors insurance policies is complex, it is always essential to consult a reputable commercial insurance broker who understands the unique risks your business faces.

Boiler contractors should, however, have the following types of coverage on their radar:

Commercial Property: This type of coverage will protect your company's physical building, but also its contents, in the event that you are affected by perils such as acts of nature, theft, and vandalism. Should this happen, the costs associated with property damage and loss are both covered.
General liability: Essential for contractors of any type, this kind of boiler contractors insurance helps cover costs arising from lawsuits in which third parties allege that your business was responsible for their personal injury, or damage to their property. It can cover legal fees, but also settlement expenses.
Workers' Compensation: Should an employee suffer a work-related injury - whether in the form of a trauma such as a fracture, or an occupational illness resulting from exposure to harmful substances - you may be held liable. Workers comp saves you from exorbitant costs by paying for such employees' medical expenses. If they are unable to return to work, lost income is also covered.
Business Auto: As a boiler contractor, you will certainly rely on multiple vehicles. Commercial vehicles, whether cars, vans, or trucks, need to be protected with commercial auto insurance, in case of accident or damage.

These important forms of coverage may not, mind you, meet a boiler contractor's insurance needs entirely. Other types of boiler contractors insurance you could benefit from include business interruption insurance, cyber insurance, and equipment breakdown insurance.

To discover more, discuss your risk profile with a commercial insurance broker in-depth.

Boiler Contractors' Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposures are light at the contractor's office or shop due to lack of public access. Outdoor storage may present vandalism and attractive nuisance hazards. Off-site exposures are high as installation of boilers or production machinery can be invasive.

Installation work can affect the entire facility, resulting in a high potential for property damage. The area of operation should be restricted by barriers and proper signage to protect the public from slips and falls over tools, power cords, materials, and scrap.

Welding presents potential for burns or setting fire to property of others if not conducted safely. Falling tools or supplies may cause bodily injury or property damage if dropped from ladders, scaffolding, cranes or helicopters. Pressure-testing of boilers and other pressure vessels may result in explosion or fire.

Personal injury exposures include allegations of assault to the customer, discrimination, and invasion of privacy. Failure to run background checks and review references on employees increases hazard and reduces available defenses.

Completed operations liability exposures can be severe as an improperly installed boiler can explode, resulting in loss of customers' income due to down time. When a unit malfunctions, it may be difficult to determine the cause since it may be due to improper operation and maintenance, faulty system design, faulty manufacture or faulty installation.

Quality control, including work order documentation, and employee training, background, and experience is important. Boiler work has high potential for injury due to exposure to carbon monoxide and other fumes or gases if the heating unit is improperly installed.

The warranties or guarantees offered by the contractor must be reviewed carefully.

Environmental liability exposures may be high if the contractor disposes old equipment which may contain asbestos, PCPs, or other hazardous materials. Spillage and leaking of pollutants can result in high cleanup costs and fines. Disposal procedures must adhere to all EPA and other regulatory standards. Proper written procedures and documentation of both the transportation and disposal process are important.

Workers compensation exposures can be severe as boilers produce extremely hot steam. Scalding and electrical burns are common. Electrocution can occur from the use of high-voltage lines.

Injuries can occur from working with hand tools, slipping or falling, back injuries such as hernias, strains and sprains from lifting or working at awkward positions, foreign objects in the eye, hearing impairment from noise, inhalation of fumes, and cuts from the fabrication and installation of piping.

When work is done on ladders and scaffolds, severe injury or death can occur from falls, being struck by falling objects, or adverse weather conditions. The danger is reduced if there is good maintenance of scaffolds, proper use of basic safety equipment, such as properly installed guards, steel-toed shoes, and eye protection, and strict enforcement of safety practices.

The use, misuse, maintenance and transport of large, heavy machinery can result in crushing. Welding may be done in confined spaces, requiring proper ventilation and safety equipment.

In repair and reinstallation operations, workers may come in contact with old insulation to be removed, some of which may include "friable" (easily crumbled) asbestos. Procedures must be in place to identify and handle this exposure.

Property exposures at the contractor's premises are generally limited to an office and storage of products, materials, equipment, and vehicles. Ignition sources include electrical wiring, heating and air conditioning systems, wear, and overheating of equipment.

Welding or brazing work conducted at the shop and storage of welding tanks and gases at any location can significantly raise the fire hazard. Welding should be done in either a separate room or with flash/welding curtains away from flammables.

Inland marine exposures include accounts receivable if the contractor offers credit to customers, computers, contractors' equipment and tools, including hoists and portable welders, goods in transit, installation floater, and valuable papers and records for customers' and suppliers' information. Backup copies of all data should be stored off premises.

Contractors' machinery, tools, or building materials left at job sites may be damaged by theft, vandalism, wind and weather, and by employees of other contractors. Contractors may lease, rent or borrow equipment from others or may lease out, rent or loan items to others, which poses additional risk as the operator may be unfamiliar with the operation of the borrowed item.

If boilers or pressure vessels are lifted by crane for installation or retrofit, or dropped into place by helicopters, they may be damaged by drops and falls from heights. Since an accident may trigger both the equipment and installation coverages, as well as possible third-party liability, many contractors prefer to hire a crane or helicopter with a licensed operator.

Goods in transit consist of products purchased by the customer for installation at the job site. Heating units and production machinery can be of high value and susceptible to damage in transit, requiring expertise in loading to prevent load shift or overturn.

There is an installation floater exposure when the units to be installed are delivered to the site in advance of the installation.

Crime exposure is primarily from employee dishonesty, including theft of customers' goods by employees. Background checks, including criminal history, should be performed on all employees prior to hiring.

There must be a separation of duties between persons handling deposits and disbursements and reconciling bank statements. Copper tubing used for repair work on boilers can attract thieves.

Commercial auto exposures are generally limited to transporting workers, equipment and supplies to and from job sites. MVRs must be run on a regular basis. Random drug and alcohol testing should be conducted.

Vehicles must be well maintained with records kept in a central location. Vehicles may have special modifications or built-in equipment such as lifts and hoists for transporting large boilers or pressure vessels to job sites. These may be awkward and require special handling and tie-down procedures.

What Does Boiler Contractors Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Boiler contractors may be sued for a variety of reasons, including:

Property damage: If a boiler installation or repair causes damage to the property, the contractor may be held liable for the cost of repairs or replacement. A contractor's general liability insurance can cover the cost of repairs or replacement of property damage caused by their work.

Personal injury: If a person is injured due to a faulty boiler installation or repair, the contractor may be held liable for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. A contractor's liability insurance can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages awarded to the injured party.

Breach of contract: If the contractor fails to fulfill the terms of a contract, such as completing the work on time or using quality materials, they may be sued for breach of contract. A contractor's errors and omissions insurance can help cover the cost of damages awarded to the plaintiff.

Negligence: If the contractor fails to follow industry standards or safety protocols, they may be sued for negligence if someone is injured or property is damaged.

Insurance can help protect boiler contractors from the financial consequences of lawsuits. Depending on the coverage, insurance policies can help pay for legal fees, court costs, and damages awarded to the plaintiff. A contractor's liability insurance can cover the cost of damages awarded to the plaintiff in a negligence lawsuit.

It's important for boiler contractors to have appropriate insurance coverage to protect their business and assets from potential lawsuits.

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

SIC CODE: 1711 Plumbing, Heating, Air-Conditioning, 7699 Repair Shops and Related Services, Not Elsewhere Classified
NAICS CODE: 811310 Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance, 238220 Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors
Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 3726 Boiler - Installation or Repair - Steam, 8720 Inspection of Risks for Insurance or Valuation Purposes NOC, 5183 Plumbing NOC & Drivers

Description for 1711: Plumbing, Heating and Air-Conditioning

Division C: Construction | Major Group 17: Construction Special Trade Contractors| Industry Group 171: Plumbing, Heating And Air-conditioning

1711 Plumbing, Heating and Air-Conditioning: Special trade contractors primarily engaged in plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and similar work. Sheet metal work performed by plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors in conjunction with the installation of plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning equipment is included here, but roofing and sheet metal work contractors are classified in Industry 1761. Special trade contractors primarily engaged in electrical work are classified in Industry 1731.

Air system balancing and testing-contractors
Air-conditioning, with or without sheet metal work-contractors
Boiler erection and installation-contractors
Drainage system installation, cesspool and septic tank-contractors
Dry well construction, cesspool-contractors
Fuel oil burner installation and servicing-contractors
Furnace repair-contractors
Gas line hookup-contractors
Heating equipment installation-contractors
Heating, with or without sheet metal work-contractors
Lawn sprinkler system installation-contractors
Mechanical contractors
Piping, plumbing-contractors
Plumbing and heating-contractors
Plumbing repair-contractors
Plumbing, with or without sheet metal work-contractors
Refrigeration and freezer work-contractors
Sewer hookups and connections for buildings-contractors
Sheet metal work combined with heating
Solar heating apparatus-contractors
Sprinkler system installation-contractors
Steam fitting-contractors
Sump pump installation and servicing-contractors
Ventilating work, with or without sheet metal work-contractors
Water pump installation and servicing-contractors
Water system balancing and testing-contractors

Description for 7699: Repair Shops and Related Services, Not Elsewhere Classified

Division I: Services | Major Group 76: Miscellaneous Repair Services | Industry Group 769: Miscellaneous Repair Shops And Related Services

7699 Repair Shops and Related Services, Not Elsewhere Classified: Establishments primarily engaged in specialized repair services, not elsewhere classified, such as bicycle repair; leather goods repair; lock and gun repair, including the making of lock parts or gun parts to individual order; musical instrument repair; septic tank cleaning; farm machinery repair; furnace cleaning; motorcycle repair; tank truck cleaning; taxidermists; tractor repair; and typewriter repair.

Agricultural equipment repair
Antique repair and restoration, except furniture and automotive
Awning repair shops
Beer pump coil cleaning and repair service
Bicycle repair shops
Binoculars and other optical goods repair
Blacksmith shops
Boiler cleaning
Boiler repair shops except manufacturing
Bowling pins, refinishing or repair
Camera repair shops
Catch basin cleaning
Cesspool cleaning
China firing and decorating to individual order
Cleaning and reglazing of baking pans
Cleaning bricks
Coppersmithing repair, except construction
Covering textile rolls
Dental instrument repair
Drafting instrument repair
Engine repair, except automotive
Farm machinery repair
Farriers (blacksmith shops)
Fire control (military) equipment repair
Furnace and chimney cleaning
Furnace cleaning service
Gas appliance repair service
Glazing and cleaning baking pans
Gun parts made to individual order
Gunsmith shops
Harness repair shops
Horseshoeing
Industrial truck repair
Key duplicating shops
Laboratory instrument repair, except electric
Lawnmower repair shops
Leather goods repair shops
Lock parts made to individual order
Locksmith shops
Luggage repair shops
Machinery cleaning
Mattress renovating and repair shops
Measuring and controlling instrument repair, mechanical
Medical equipment repair, except electric
Meteorological instrument repair
Microscope repair
Mirror repair shops
Motorcycle repair service
Musical instrument repair shops
Nautical and navigational instrument repair, except electric
Organ tuning and repair
Piano tuning and repair
Picture framing to individual order, not connected with retail art
Picture framing, custom
Pocketbook repair shops
Precision instrument repair
Rebabbitting
Reneedling work
Repair of optical instruments
Repair of photographic equipment
Repair of service station equipment
Repair of speedometers
Rug repair shops, not combined with cleaning
Saddlery repair shops
Scale repair service
Scientific instrument repair, except electric
Septic tank cleaning service
Sewer cleaning and rodding
Sewing machine repair shops
Sharpening and repairing knives, saws, and tools
Ship boiler and tank cleaning and repair-contractors
Ship scaling-contractors
Stove repair shops
Surgical instrument repair
Surveying instrument repair
Tank and boiler cleaning service
Tank truck cleaning service
Taxidermists
Tent repair shops
Thermostat repair
Tinsmithing repair, except construction
Tractor repair
Tuning of pianos and organs
Typewriter repair, including electric
Venetian blind repair shops
Window shade repair shops

Boiler Contractors Insurance - The Bottom Line

To protect your company, employees and customers, having the right boiler contractors insurance coverage is important. To see what types of policy options are available to you, how much coverage you should have and related costs - speak to a reputable commercial insurance broker.

Additional Resources For Contractors & Home Improvement Insurance

Learn about small business contractor's insurance, including what it covers, how much it costs - and how commercial insurance can help protect your contracting business from lawsuits.

Contractors And Home Improvement Insurance

The contracting industry is a field that involves a lot of risks, both for the contractor and for the clients they work for. This is why commercial insurance is so important for contractors. Insurance can protect contractors from a variety of potential losses, such as:

Liability: If a contractor causes damage to a client's property or if a client is injured while on a job site, the contractor could be held legally responsible. Liability insurance can cover legal fees and any settlements or judgments that may be awarded.

Property damage: Contractors often use a lot of expensive equipment and tools, and there is always a risk that this equipment could be damaged or stolen. Commercial property insurance can help cover the cost of replacing damaged or stolen equipment.

Business interruption: If a contractor is unable to work due to an unforeseen event, such as a natural disaster, insurance can help cover their lost income during this time.

Workers compensation: If a contractor or one of their employees is injured on the job, worker's comp can help cover medical expenses and lost wages.

Overall, commercial insurance is an important risk management tool for contractors. It can provide financial protection against a wide range of potential losses, helping contractors to stay in business and continue serving their clients.

Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Business Personal Property, Employee Dishonesty, Contractors' Equipment and Tools, General Liability, Employee Benefits Liability, Umbrella Liability, Automobile Liability and Physical Damage, Hired and Non-owned Auto & Workers Compensation.

Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Building, Business Income with Extra Expense, Earthquake, Flood, Leasehold Interest, Real Property Legal Liability, Accounts Receivable, Builders Risk, Computers, Goods in Transit, Installation Floater, Valuable Papers and Records, Cyber Liability, Employment-related Practicesand Stop Gap Liability.

Buy Boiler Contractors Insurance

Boiler Contractors Insurance Policy Information

What Is Boiler Contractors Insurance?

How Much Does Boiler Contractors Insurance Cost?

Why Do Boiler Contractors Need Insurance?

What Type Of Insurance Do Boiler Contractors Need?

Boiler Contractors' Risks & Exposures

What Does Boiler Contractors Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

Description for 1711: Plumbing, Heating and Air-Conditioning

Description for 7699: Repair Shops and Related Services, Not Elsewhere Classified

Boiler Contractors Insurance - The Bottom Line

Additional Resources For Contractors & Home Improvement Insurance

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