TradeGuardElectrical subcontractor insurance requirements
What a general contractor should require from a electrical subcontractor before they set foot on site, and the coverage gap that most often turns a electrical job into the GC's claim.
Why electrical insurance matters
Faulty wiring is a leading cause of construction fires and electrocution claims, and defects often surface long after the work is signed off.
What to require from a electrical sub
General liability at full limits, workers' comp for every electrician on site, and completed-operations coverage, because an electrical defect that causes a fire two years later is exactly the claim that comes back to the GC.
Electrical is a licensed trade in nearly every state; require the electrician's license number and confirm it's active and correctly classified.
Additional insured for BOTH ongoing AND completed operations (CG 20 10 + CG 20 37); completed-ops is non-negotiable given how late electrical defect claims appear.
A certificate showing ongoing-operations additional insured only, leaving you exposed for the post-completion fire claim that electrical work is most likely to generate.
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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Electrical insurance FAQ
What insurance should a electrical subcontractor carry?+
At minimum, General liability at full limits, workers' comp for every electrician on site, and completed-operations coverage, because an electrical defect that causes a fire two years later is exactly the claim that comes back to the GC.
Do electrical subcontractors need a license?+
Electrical is a licensed trade in nearly every state; require the electrician's license number and confirm it's active and correctly classified.
What's the most common COI gap on electrical work?+
A certificate showing ongoing-operations additional insured only, leaving you exposed for the post-completion fire claim that electrical work is most likely to generate.
Other trades
Requirements also vary by state; see insurance requirements by state.