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.
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.
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.
Completed-operations additional insured; confirm no silica exclusion.
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.
Know when a concrete & masonry sub's COI expires
TradeGuard tracks your subs' certificates, tells you when the additional insured named isn't you, and warns you before a certificate expires. It doesn't verify endorsement forms.
No credit card · See how COI tracking works
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.