Steel Erection Contractors Insurance Policy Information

Steel Erection Contractors Insurance. Construction is essential, but it's also one of the most dangerous industries; especially if you're working as a steel erection contractor. Despite your best efforts to follow all safety protocol, there is always a chance that something could go wrong and someone on the job or a third-party could be injured or property could be damaged.

Steel erection contractors build, repair, or maintain the steel framework for buildings and other structures, including high-rise apartments and offices, industrial complexes, warehouse buildings, and signs. Much of their work is structural and load bearing.

Operations may involve the use and placement of heavy steel girders, columns, and I-beams which may be welded together or fastened with bolts or hot rivets to create a metal framework for further construction. While steel is flexible, it can corrode in humid climates or lose strength at high temperatures, which could result in collapse.

The hazards vary considerably depending on the size of the job and the number of stories. The contractor may offer design services.

To protect yourself from any potential mishaps, it's imperative for steel erection contractors to invest in the right type of insurance. Why is steel erection contractors insurance important? What type of coverage do you need? Find the answers to these questions and more below.

Steel erection contractors insurance protects your business from lawsuits with rates as low as $67/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.

Below are some answers to commonly asked steel erector contractor insurance questions:

What Is Steel Erection Contractors Insurance?
How Much Does Steel Erection Contractors Insurance Cost?
What Type Of Insurance Do Steel Erection Contractors Need?
Why Is Steel Erectors Insurance Is Important?
What Does Steel Erection Contractors Insurance Cover & Pay For?

What Is Steel Erection Contractors Insurance?

Steel Erection Contractors Insurance is a type of insurance designed specifically for contractors involved in the construction and installation of steel structures.

This insurance protects contractors from potential financial losses due to accidents, damage, or injuries that may occur during the steel erection process. It typically covers costs associated with property damage, personal injury, and third-party liability claims. The coverage can also include protection against loss or damage to equipment and tools used during the erection process.

Steel Erection Contractors Insurance is an essential coverage for contractors involved in steel erection work, as it provides financial protection in the event of unexpected incidents or losses.

How Much Does Steel Erection Contractors Cost?

The average price of a standard $1,000,000/$2,000,000 General Liability Insurance policy for small steel erector contractors ranges from $67 to $99 per month based on location, size, heights worked, payroll, sales and experience.

What Type Of Insurance Do Steel Erection Contractors Need?

Contractors who work in the steel erection industry should invest in three types of insurance coverage at the minimum - specifically: general liability, professional liability, and workers' compensation.

General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance provides coverage for third-party personal injuries and property damages. For example, in the event that a delivery driver trips over a piece of equipment at the site you're working on, suffers an injury, and files a lawsuit against you, general liability insurance will provide you with the coverage that's needed to pay for any medical care that the third-party may require, any legal fees that you may incur, and anything that a court of law may be liable for.

If the property owner of the building you're working on claims that you damaged their building and files a lawsuit, general liability insurance would also cover any legal expenses that you may end up facing, as well as any repairs that you may be required to pay.

Professional Liability Insurance

With professional liability, if you a client that hired you to erect a steel structure claims that you failed to do your job properly and files a lawsuit against you, you'll have the coverage you need to pay for the legal fees, any repairs that you may need to make to correct the problem, and it can also help to protect your business from any negative press that you may receive.

Workers Compensation Insurance

Workers' comp provides coverage for any workers that you may employ. For example, if a member of your team suffers a work-related injury and requires medical care, this policy will cover the medical expenses and can provide the employee with the wages he or she may lose while recovering.

If the employee files a lawsuit against you, claiming that the equipment that you provided wasn't properly maintained and caused the accident, for example, workers' compensation insurance can also assist for the related legal expenses.

Additional Steel Erection Contractors Insurance

Other types of steel erection contractors insurance that might be needed include:

Commercial Property: - If you run your business out of a physical space, you should also invest in commercial property insurance. This policy covers the building, the contents within it, and some of the exterior structures, from acts of nature, peril, theft, and property damage that may occur as a result of a break-in, whether attempted or successful. For instance, if your business is defaced and looted, commercial property insurance can help to cover the costs of any related repairs.
Commercial Auto - With commercial auto insurance, you can protect any vehicles that are used for work-related purposes. If a truck is involved in an accident while driving to a site and damages another vehicle, for example, this policy would cover the related expenses to the other vehicle.
Mobile Equipment - This policy protects any mobile equipment when it isn't stored on your commercial property. If you have cranes, saw, ladders, and other type of erection equipment that you keep on a client's property until the job is finished, this policy will help to repair or replace that equipment if it is damaged or stolen.

Why Is Steel Erectors Insurance Is Important?

Employee injuries, third-party property damage, accidents with work-related vehicles, a fire in your commercial space; the costs that are related to the risks that steel erection contractors are exposed to can be quite exorbitant.

By having the right type of insurance coverage in place, if the unexpected occurs, instead of having to pay the related expenses out of your own pocket, your policy will cover them for you.

In addition to helping to offset potential high claims costs, steel erection contractors are legally or contractually required to carry some types of coverage; general liability, workers' compensation if they employ a team, commercial auto for vehicles that are used for work-related purposes, etc.

Steel Erector's Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposures at the contractor's office are generally limited due to lack of public access. Outdoor storage may present vandalism and attractive nuisance hazards. Off-site exposures are extensive. The contractor must control access to the area and post signs to protect the public from slips and falls over tools, power cords, materials, and scrap.

Steel erection always involves work at heights. Persons and property may be injured by falling objects, especially when work is done near existing structures or residences. Pedestrians and vehicles must be protected from falling objects through barricades and netting. Unprotected welding, cutting, and riveting may cause fires or serious injuries to the public or other contractors' employees. Repair and maintenance work may entail closing roads and redirecting traffic.

Improper signage or barricading could result in a vehicle collision and catastrophic loss of life. Both the structure under construction and the equipment (such as cranes) may create an attractive nuisance hazard to children who enjoy climbing. All equipment must be disabled when not in operation to prevent untrained individuals from using it. Fencing must be in place with appropriate warning signs to prevent trespassing. The use of subcontractors as well as any contractual liability exposures should be examined.

Personal injury exposures include assault and battery and invasion of privacy. Background checks should be conducted for any employee who will have regular contact with customers.

Completed operations liability exposure can be severe should a structure collapse due to the number of people who could be injured or killed and the potential for damage to the property of others. The competency of the designer and engineer of the project, the quality of materials, and the integrity of the completed structure are all critical.

The absence of an aggressive quality control program that documents full compliance with all construction, material, and design specifications may indicate a morale hazard and make it impossible to defend against serious claims. Any changes made by the engineers and carried through in the design must be noted prior to implementation.

Hazards may increase in the absence of proper record keeping of work orders and change orders, as well as inspection and signed approval of finished work by the customer.

Professional liability exposures may be serious if the insured does design work or alters plans. The exposure increases if the firm fails to conduct thorough background checks to verify employee's education and training, permit other workers to do tasks that only professionals should handle, or if error checking procedures are ignored or are inadequate.

All design specifications must be followed, and inspections regularly conducted. Documentation must be clear, with changes marked and authorizations signed by both the engineer and the customer.

Workers compensation exposure is severe. Erection work always involves work at heights, with danger from falls or from falling objects. Sudden changes in wind or weather can make hoists and scaffolding less safe. Lifting and back injuries, hernias, sprains, and strains can occur from loading or unloading machinery, setting up structural parts, or working from awkward positions.

Collapse or overturn of equipment may result in severe injury or death from crushing or suffocation. Common hazards include slips and falls, foreign objects in the eye, hearing impairment from noise, temperature extremes, cuts or puncture wounds, auto accidents during transportation to and from job sites, bites from insects or vermin, and exposure to pollutants.

Welding can cause eye damage and burns. If welding must be done in confined spaces, proper ventilation and fire protection are essential to prevent or reduce injury.

Property exposures at the contractor's own location are generally limited to those of an office, shop, and storage of materials, equipment, and vehicles. Ignition sources include electrical wiring, heating, and air conditioning systems. If fabrication, which includes cutting and welding, is done on premises, the potential for fire or explosion increases due to sparks and flames produced by these processes.

Welding involves the use of tanks of gases that must be stored and handled properly to avoid loss. There should be basic controls such as chained storage in a cool area and the separation of welding from other operations away from combustibles, either in a separate room or with flash/welding curtains. Some material may be stored on site, but it is not susceptible to damage by fire or weather.

Inland marine exposures include accounts receivable if the contractor bills customers for services, computers, contractors' tools, and equipment, including scaffolding, hoists, and portable welders, goods in transit, installation exposure, and valuable papers and records for customers' and suppliers' information. Backup copies of all data should be stored off premises. Machinery, tools, or building materials left at job sites and awaiting installation are exposed to loss by theft, vandalism, damage from wind and weather, and damage by employees of other contractors.

The contractors' equipment schedule can include large cranes used to put beams in place. Equipment and supplies are subject to drop and fall from heights, especially when lifting girders or beams. Since any accident may trigger both the equipment and installation coverages, as well as possible third-party liability, many contractors prefer to hire a crane with a licensed operator.

The lease contract should specify responsibilities for providing insurance. Goods in transit consist of tools and equipment as well as materials owned by either the insured or the customer for installation at the job site.

I-beams and girders are usually drop shipped to the site by the manufacturer. If the contractor transports these, special equipment is necessary due to the length of the beams. Materials are not highly susceptible to damage in transit. An installation floater will be needed if the materials to be installed are delivered to the site in advance of the installation. Some construction supplies may be target items for theft by third parties or employees.

Crime exposure is primarily from employee dishonesty. Background checks, including criminal history, should be performed on all employees. There must be a separation of duties between persons handling deposits and disbursements and reconciling bank statements. All items should be physically inventoried on a regular basis.

Business auto exposures can be high due to the transport of girders, beams, equipment, machinery, and supplies to and from job sites. Special modifications or built-in equipment such as lifts and hoists may be awkward and require special handling and tie-down procedures.

Drivers should be properly trained to prevent overturn and to navigate through high traffic areas. Serious property damage or injury to employees of other contractors, passing pedestrians, or motorists can arise during loading, transport, and unloading equipment and materials. Long drives with oversized equipment may lead to driver fatigue.

For long-term projects away from home base, personal use of company vehicles poses a concern. Similarly, employees may use their own vehicles on company business for long periods, especially to transport crews to the jobsite. All drivers must have appropriate licenses and acceptable MVRs. Random drug and alcohol testing should be conducted. Vehicles must be maintained, and the records kept in a central location.

What Does Steel Erection Contractors Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Steel Erection Contractors Insurance Claim Form

Steel erection contractors can be sued for various reasons, including:

Accidents or injuries: If a worker or a member of the public is injured or killed while the steel erection work is being carried out, the contractor may be held responsible for the accident. Examples of accidents that can occur include falls, collapses, and equipment failures.
Property damage: If the steel erection work damages property belonging to a third party, the contractor may be sued for the cost of repair or replacement.
Contract disputes: Disagreements between the steel erection contractor and the client can result in lawsuits. Examples of contract disputes include breach of contract, delays, and failure to deliver as promised.
Defective work: If the steel erection work is defective, the contractor may be sued for the cost of fixing the problem.

Insurance can protect steel erection contractors from these lawsuits by providing coverage for legal fees and damages. Here are some examples:

Workers' compensation insurance: If a worker is injured on the job, workers' compensation insurance can help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs associated with the injury.

General liability insurance: This type of insurance can protect steel erection contractors from lawsuits related to property damage or bodily injury caused by their work.

Professional liability insurance: If a client alleges that the steel erection contractor provided defective work or failed to deliver as promised, professional liability insurance can help pay for legal fees and damages.

Commercial auto insurance: If the steel erection contractor uses vehicles to transport equipment or materials, commercial auto insurance can protect them in case of an accident.

Overall, insurance can help steel erection contractors manage the financial risks associated with their work by providing coverage for legal fees, damages, and other costs.

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

SIC CODE: 1791 Structural Steel Erection
NAICS CODE: 238120 Structural Steel and Precast Concrete Contractors, 238130 Framing Contractors
Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 5057 Iron or Steel - Erection - NOC, 5069 Military Reservation - Construction - Iron or Steel Erection - Not Over Two Stories in Height, 5059 Military Reservation - Construction - Iron or Steel Erection - Not Over Two Stories in Height, 5040 Iron or Steel - Erection - Iron - Exterior

1791: Structural Steel Erection

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

1791 Structural Steel Erection: Special trade contractors primarily engaged in the erection of structural steel and of similar products of prestressed or precast concrete.

Building front installation, metal-contractors
Concrete products, structural precast or prestressed: placing of
Concrete reinforcement, placing of-contractors
Curtain wall installation-contractors
Elevator front installation, metal-contractors
Iron work, structural-contractors
Metal furring-contractors
Steel work, structural-contractors
Storage tanks, metal: erection-contractors
Store front installation, metal-contractors

Steel Erection Contractors Insurance - The Bottom Line

To find out what type of steel erection contractors insurance policies you'll need to carry, speak with an agent or broker that specializes in commercial construction insurance.

Additional Resources For Construction Contractors Insurance

Learn about construction contractors insurance, including how much the premium costs and what is covered - and how business insurance can help protect your construction business from lawsuits.

The construction industry is a high-risk industry that requires business insurance to protect against potential losses. There are several reasons why the construction industry needs business insurance:

Liability risks: Construction projects often involve working on other people's property, which can lead to potential liability risks if any damages or accidents occur. Liability insurance helps to protect against these risks by providing coverage for any legal fees or damages that may arise.

Property damage: Construction projects can also be at risk for property damage, whether it's the company's own equipment or tools, or the property being worked on. Commercial property insurance including inland marine helps to cover the cost of repairs or replacement of any damaged property.

Worker injuries: Construction is a physically demanding industry, and accidents and injuries are a common occurrence. Wrokers comp helps to cover the cost of medical treatment and lost wages for injured workers.

Financial losses: Construction projects can be disrupted by a variety of factors, such as weather, delays, or changes in scope. Business insurance helps to protect against financial losses that may occur as a result of these disruptions.

Overall, insurance is an essential component of the construction industry as it helps to protect against a range of potential risks and losses. Without it, companies in the construction industry would be vulnerable to financial ruin and may not be able to continue operating.

Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Business Personal Property, Employee Dishonesty, Surety Bonds, Accounts Receivable, Builders' Risk, Computers, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Employee Benefits Liability, Umbrella Liability, Business Automobile Liability and Physical Damage, Hired and Nonowned Auto Liability & Workers Compensation.

Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Building, Business Income with Extra Expense, Earthquake, Flood, Leasehold Interest, Real Property Legal Liability, Contractors' Equipment, Goods in Transit, Installation Floater, Cyber Liability, Employment-related Practices Liability, Environmental Impairment Liability, Stop Gap Liability, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) (Drones).

Buy Steel Erection Contractors Insurance