Drywall subcontractor insurance requirements
What a general contractor should require from a drywall subcontractor before they set foot on site, and the coverage gap that most often turns a drywall job into the GC's claim.
Why drywall insurance matters
Lower severity, but dust, lifts, and high-volume labor still create injury and property-damage claims.
What to require from a drywall sub
General liability and workers' comp are the core; auto if they haul materials.
Rarely a separately licensed trade.
Standard additional insured (ongoing operations) usually suffices for this lower-defect-tail trade.
Workers' comp missing for a large crew treated as '1099 subs' who are functionally employees.
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 drywall 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
Drywall insurance FAQ
What insurance should a drywall subcontractor carry?+
At minimum, General liability and workers' comp are the core; auto if they haul materials.
Do drywall subcontractors need a license?+
Rarely a separately licensed trade. Always confirm the requirement in the state and locality where the work happens.
What's the most common COI gap on drywall work?+
Workers' comp missing for a large crew treated as '1099 subs' who are functionally employees.
Other trades
Requirements also vary by state; see insurance requirements by state.