Glass Contractor Insurance Policy Information

Glass Contractor Insurance. A glass contractor is responsible for the installation of glass on a building. As a glass contractor, you will be responsible for the installation of decorative glass, mirror installments, glass cladding installation, stained glass installation and other construction glass work.

As a business owner, your biggest concern is to keep your business protected. To do this, you must have the right glass contractor insurance coverage.

Glass contractor insurance protects your 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 glass contractors insurance questions:

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

What Is Glass Contractor Insurance?

Glass contractor insurance is a type of insurance coverage that is specifically designed for glass contractors, glaziers, and other professionals involved in the glass installation and repair industry.

It provides protection against various risks and liabilities that may arise while performing glass installation or repair services, including property damage, personal injury, and liability claims. The insurance policy may cover costs associated with repairing or replacing damaged glass, paying medical expenses for injured workers, or compensating third-party victims.

Glass contractor insurance helps glass contractors protect their business, assets, and reputation against financial losses caused by unexpected events.

How Much Does Glass Contractor Insurance Cost?

The average price of a standard $1,000,000/$2,000,000 General Liability Insurance policy for small glass contractors ranges from $47 to $59 per month based on location, size, payroll, sales and experience.

Why Do Glass Contractors Need Insurance?

Having glass contractor insurance is a requirement in most states. Without it, you will not be able to work. To be known as a licensed glass contractor liability insurance must be a part of your insurance portfolio.

In most cases, before being hired, you may be required to present proof of this insurance. Also, as a subcontractor, the general contractor might have you register them as an additional insured on your liability insurance for the amount of time you will be working on the project. It works the same way if you hire subcontractors to work for you.

Glass contractor insurance also helps to protect your company from lawsuits. It helps with legal defense, court costs and any financial damages you may experience as a result of a lawsuit. Having the right liability insurance in place can protect your business against massive financial losses from lawsuits.

What Type Of Insurance Do Glass Contractors Need?

Commercial General Liability Insurance

With commercial general liability insurance, you protect your business from liability exposure. One thing you must know is that this insurance will not cover any damage caused by the inexperience of your employees. Any damage caused by negligence will be considered a business expense - unless you have professional liability insurance.

Umbrella Insurance Coverage

As a glass contractor, there may be times when mistakes happen while on the job. As a result of this, the limits of your commercial general liability insurance may not be enough to cover the costs. If there is property damage or injuries caused by you, then your plan may not cover it

If a general contractor imposes minimum liability coverage on subcontractors, then this might be more than the limits of your policy.

Thankfully this is why umbrella insurance policy is available. Umbrella insurance coverage provides extra liability insurance for any liability coverage type and helps to cover the areas your regular insurance policy might not have.

Employment Practice Liability Coverage

The employment practice liability coverage protects your business when an employee or former employee tries to sue your business. Whether it's for wrongful termination or discrimination, the employment practice liability coverage will keep you safe.

Commercial Auto Liability Insurance

As a glass contractor, you will have vehicles as a part of your business. When working on various projects, you may be required to transport glass sheets to the job site. Having commercial auto liability insurance is the best thing you can do to keep your vehicles protected.

If an employee uses their vehicle to do work errands, then you should get hired or non-owned vehicle insurance policy.

Having this type of policy in place protects your business from liability charges if the employee gets in an accident in their vehicle on work related errands.

The Importance Of Worker's Compensation

A workers compensation policy is very important for you business. It's so important most states require you to have it for any non owner employees before you can begin working. Typically before you're hired for a job the person hiring will need to know if you have this policy in place.

Having this policy in place will protect the both of you in the case of an emergency. For even more protection, your client may ask you to get a waiver of subrogation.

If an employee gets injured on the job, this insurance will help with any medical costs. In the case of a fatality, it provides benefits to the surviving family of the deceased. Glass contracting work can put your employees at risk of injury, so it is always a good idea to do your best to keep them protected.

Glass Contractor's Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposures are limited at the glazier's office due to lack of public access. Off-premises exposures at the job site can result in bodily injury to customers, passersby, and employees of other contractors or property damage to property of others, especially if glass is installed above ground level. Hazards include falling tools, glass, or other items.

Products liability exposure may result from faulty installation or faulty fabrication of the glass. The severity potential increases with the height of the exterior installation as falling glass can result in severe bodily injury or death.

Workers compensation exposures arise most often from cuts, which can happen throughout the entire glazing process. Burns and welding injuries may occur while cutting glass. Installation exposures are light for interior work, although strains and even repetitive motion injuries are possible. With work at heights on ladders or scaffolds, the hazards can be severe due to the potential for injury from falling or being struck by falling objects.

Back strains, hernia, and other lifting losses, slips and falls, eye injuries, and exposure to dust and chips during cutting are common. Protective equipment should be provided.

Property exposures consist of an office operation and material, equipment, and vehicle storage. Combustibles include the materials used to package and protect the glass for transport. Ignition sources include electric wiring and equipment, heating and air conditioning systems, welding operations (if cutting and welding are done on premises), and chemicals and flammables used to cut, polish, laminate, tint, or bend the glass. These operations should be conducted separate from storage areas. In the absence of well-maintained dust collection systems, cutting and buffing operations can generate dust which can catch on fire.

Crime exposure is primarily from employee dishonesty and theft of money and securities. Background checks should be conducted on all employees. There must be separation of duties between persons handling deposits and disbursements and handling bank statements.

Inland marine exposure is from accounts receivable if the glazier offers credit, computers, contractors' tools (including employees' tools used for glass cutting and installation), goods in transit, and valuable papers and records for customers' and suppliers' information. Glass plate is highly susceptible to breakage, scratching and marring. Drivers must be trained in proper loading and tie-down of the glass since any accident is likely to result in a total loss.

Commercial auto exposures are high due to the pickup and delivery of glass. The transport vehicle is of an unusual design as glass plates must be kept upright during travel. Training in the handling of the vehicle is important. Any emergency repair services offered may result in time pressures, as well as travel in unfamiliar areas. Drivers should have an appropriate license and an acceptable MVR. All vehicles must be well maintained with documentation kept in a central location. If vehicles are provided to employees, there should be written procedures regarding personal use by employees and their family members.

What Does Glass Contractors Insurance Cover & Pay For?

There are several reasons why Glass Contractors may be sued, including:

Property damage: If a Glass Contractor damages a client's property during a project, they may be held liable for the cost of repairs or replacement.
Bodily injury: If a person is injured on a Glass Contractor's job site, the contractor may be held liable for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
Breach of contract: If a Glass Contractor fails to fulfill their contractual obligations, they may be sued for breach of contract.
Negligence: If a Glass Contractor fails to exercise reasonable care during a project, they may be held liable for damages resulting from their negligence.

Insurance can protect Glass Contractors from the financial consequences of these types of lawsuits. Here are a few examples of how insurance can help pay for a lawsuit:

Property damage: If a Glass Contractor damages a client's property during a project, their general liability insurance may cover the cost of repairs or replacement. For example, if a contractor accidentally breaks a window while installing a new glass door, their insurance may cover the cost of repairing or replacing the window.

Bodily injury: If a person is injured on a Glass Contractor's job site, their workers' compensation insurance may cover their medical expenses and lost wages. Additionally, if the injured person sues the contractor, their general liability insurance may cover any damages awarded in the lawsuit. For example, if a contractor's employee accidentally drops a piece of glass on a client's foot, the employee's workers' compensation insurance may cover the cost of medical treatment and lost wages, while the contractor's general liability insurance may cover any damages awarded in a lawsuit.

Breach of contract: If a Glass Contractor is sued for breach of contract, their professional liability insurance may cover the cost of legal defense and any damages awarded in the lawsuit. For example, if a contractor fails to complete a project within the agreed-upon timeframe, their client may sue them for breach of contract. The contractor's professional liability insurance may cover the cost of legal defense and any damages awarded in the lawsuit.

Negligence: If a Glass Contractor is sued for negligence, their general liability insurance may cover the cost of legal defense and any damages awarded in the lawsuit. For example, if a contractor fails to properly secure a piece of glass during installation and it falls and injures someone, the contractor may be sued for negligence. Their general liability insurance may cover the cost of legal defense and any damages awarded in the lawsuit.

Overall, insurance can provide Glass Contractors with financial protection in the event of a lawsuit, helping them to avoid potentially devastating financial consequences.

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

SIC CODE: 1793 Glass and Glazing Work, 7536 Automotive Glass Replacement Shops
NAICS CODE: 238150 Glass and Glazing Contractors
Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 5462 Glazier - Away From Shop & Drivers

1793: Glass and Glazing Work

Division C: Construction | Major Group 17: Construction Special Trade Contractors | Industry Group 179: Miscellaneous Special Trade Contractors

1793 Glass and Glazing Work: Special trade contractors primarily engaged in glass and glazing work. Establishments primarily engaged in the installation of automotive glass are classified in Services, Industry 7536.

Glass installation, except automotive-contractors
Glass work, except automotive-contractors
Glazing work-contractors

7536: Automotive Glass Replacement Shops

Division I: Services | Major Group 75: Automotive Repair, Services, And Parking | Industry Group 753: Automotive Repair Shops

7536 Automotive Glass Replacement Shops: Establishments primarily engaged in the installation, repair, or sales and installation of automotive glass. The sale of the glass is considered incidental to the replacement.

Glass replacement and repair, automotive

Glass Contractors Insurance - The Bottom Line

As a glass contractor, your primary concern is to keep the interests of your business covered and your workers safe. Whether you're doing glass work on an already existing building or one in the process of being built you must have the right level of glass contractor insurance.

The last thing you want is your business to experience financial ruin because you didn't take the time to get the right insurance policies in place. Take the time to speak with an insurance professional and find the right insurance for your business.

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.

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