Structural trade

Concrete & Masonry subcontractor insurance requirements

What a general contractor should require from a concrete & masonry subcontractor before they set foot on site, and the coverage gap that most often turns a concrete & masonry job into the GC's claim.

Risk tier
High
State license
Usually not
OSHA on site
Yes: 10/30

Why concrete & masonry insurance matters

Structural failures, pour/formwork collapses, and silica dust exposure make this a high-severity, high-health-claim trade.

What to require from a concrete & masonry sub

General liability, workers' comp (heavy-labor injury frequency), and completed operations; a structural or foundation defect is the definition of a post-completion claim.

Licensing

Often not separately licensed as a trade, though it usually falls under a general building contractor license for larger scopes. Confirm scope against the state's threshold.

The endorsement that matters

Completed-operations additional insured; confirm no silica exclusion.

The gap that bites GCs on concrete & masonry work

A silica or structural-defect exclusion that removes the coverage you most need from this trade.

Most of these gaps come down to one thing: additional insured status and the right endorsement.

General information, not legal or insurance advice; confirm requirements with your broker and the terms of your subcontract.

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Concrete & Masonry insurance FAQ

What insurance should a concrete & masonry subcontractor carry?+

At minimum, General liability, workers' comp (heavy-labor injury frequency), and completed operations; a structural or foundation defect is the definition of a post-completion claim.

Do concrete & masonry subcontractors need a license?+

Often not separately licensed as a trade, though it usually falls under a general building contractor license for larger scopes. Confirm scope against the state's threshold. Always confirm the requirement in the state and locality where the work happens.

What's the most common COI gap on concrete & masonry work?+

A silica or structural-defect exclusion that removes the coverage you most need from this trade.

Other trades

Requirements also vary by state; see insurance requirements by state.