Contractors & Construction Insurance in Florida & Virginia
Insurance That Works as Hard as You Do
Whether you’re a general contractor, subcontractor, or skilled tradesman, protecting your business is essential. From jobsite accidents to equipment theft, construction comes with risks that can put your livelihood on the line.
At Pelican Shield Insurance Group, we provide straightforward, reliable insurance solutions built for contractors and construction professionals in St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay, and across Florida and Virginia. We help you secure the right protection – without the runaround – so you can focus on building with confidence.
Why Contractors Need Specialized Coverage
In construction, even a small accident can lead to big financial setbacks. A single claim can stall a project, strain your cash flow, or spark costly lawsuits. The right insurance doesn’t just check a compliance box – it keeps your business moving forward.
That’s where we come in. Our team understands the unique risks contractors face, from liability and workers’ comp requirements to safeguarding tools, vehicles, and unfinished projects.
Essential Insurance for Contractors & Construction Businesses
Construction work comes with high-risk exposures, making industry-specific insurance coverage essential. The right policies protect your company from financial loss and keep you compliant with state regulations.
- General liability: Protects your business if someone is injured or property is damaged due to your operations. This coverage helps pay for medical costs, repairs, and legal defense.
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Required in both Florida and Virginia, workers’ comp provides medical care and lost wage protection for employees injured on the job – while shielding your business from costly lawsuits.
- Builders’ Risk Insurance: Covers damage to structures under construction from fire, theft, vandalism, or severe weather, keeping your projects financially secure until completion.
- Commercial Auto Insurance: Covers company-owned trucks, vans, and heavy equipment against accidents, damage, or liability claims – so your crews and equipment stay on the road.
- Tools & Equipment Insurance: Protects against theft, damage, or loss of your tools and machinery, so you can replace what you need quickly and keep your projects on schedule.
Why Contractors Choose Pelican Shield Insurance Group
The contractors general liability coverages can often be bundled with a few other coverages to create a business owners policy, or BOP.
This serves two purposes. It expands the policy to cover risks that small business owners face, and also typically results in a discount on the cost of your insurance.
Normally, this coverage will make sense for you if you have employees. A small business is basically defined as a business that has up to 100 employees and generates about $5 million or less in annual revenues.
Some of the additional coverages that can typically be bundled with a BOP include:
- Compliance Support You Can Count On: We assist in reviewing subcontractor Certificates of Insurance (COIs) and agreements to confirm they align with your policy standards – helping you stay compliant and avoid costly gaps in coverage.
- Fast Turnaround You Can Count On: Our goal is to provide a 1-business-day turnaround on COI reviews for our clients, so you can keep your projects moving without unnecessary delays.
- Real-World Expertise: Our agency was built around industries like construction, contracting, and skilled trades. We understand the risks you face every day and design coverage that actually matches how you work – not just what a carrier wants to sell.
Do You Need Workers Compensation Insurance?
As an independent contractor, you may or may not need to have workers compensation insurance. Workers Compensation regulations are mandated state by state. If you are in business for yourself, and you do not have employees, you are most likely not required to buy workers comp. However, in some states you need to purchase workers comp even if you don’t employ others.
If you are a contractor who employs other workers, your state will most likely require you to carry this insurance. This policy protects workers from job-related illness, injury or death. It will also reimburse workers for lost wages if they cannot go back to work. The benefit to you, as the employer, is that this coverage can help to prevent losses from employee lawsuits.
Contractors & Construction Insurance FAQs
In Florida, contractors with one or more employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance, while in Virginia, it’s required for businesses with two or more employees. General liability insurance is often required for contractor licensing in both states, and commercial auto coverage is mandatory if you use company vehicles.
Yes. Subcontractors should carry their own general liability and workers’ comp. As a contractor, you can be held liable for uninsured subs, which is why we help review their COIs to ensure compliance.
We follow our structured Pelican Flight Path, a proven onboarding and accountability system designed for contractors and business owners. New clients receive a customized welcome kit, a dedicated onboarding meeting, and a 30-day quality check-in to ensure everything is on track. Beyond that, we provide ongoing value through monthly updates, quarterly or semi-annual business reviews, and proactive renewal planning well before your policy expires. With clear service standards – like 24-hour service request response and 4-hour claim support – you can count on a relationship that goes far beyond just writing a policy.
Insurance costs vary based on your trade, business size, number of employees, location, and claims history. For example, a residential painter in Richmond most likely will pay less than a Sarasota roofing company with a large crew. At Pelican Shield, we compare carriers to get you the right balance of coverage and price.
Contractors in Florida and Virginia can often reduce premiums by maintaining a strong safety record, enforcing jobsite safety programs, hiring licensed subcontractors, and implementing proactive risk management practices. Working with Pelican Shield, you also gain an advocate who helps you structure policies effectively and uncover cost-saving opportunities – without ever sacrificing the coverage your business truly needs.
