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New Arizona Contractor Insurance Checklist.

What general contractors, property managers and owners usually ask a new contractor for before the first day on site — in one list you can work through before you bid. It’s general information, not advice for your specific business: your contract’s own insurance section is always what counts.

Call or text (623) 323-8385 Book a 15-minute call

The short version

General liability, with the endorsements your contract asks for
Workers’ comp once anyone is on payroll
Commercial auto for vehicles used for the work
Tools & equipment coverage for gear that travels
A certificate that matches the contract — before day one

Step 1

Before you bid.

Know your licence and bond are not insurance. Your ROC licence bond protects consumers under Arizona law; it does not defend your business or pay a claim against it.
Decide who you’ll work for. Residential homeowners, a GC as a sub, or commercial owners — carriers price and write each differently, and some policies exclude residential work.
Ask for the insurance exhibit up front. Most GC and owner contracts include one: required limits, additional insured wording, waivers. Read it before you price the job.
Allow time. Carrier quotes typically take 1–2 business days once underwriters have what they need, so start before the first bid is accepted.

Holding a contract already?

Send the insurance section with your request and we’ll build your first program around it, so the certificate passes the first time.

Upload your contract & any policies

Step 2

General liability — usually the first thing asked for.

Covers claims that your work caused property damage or injury to someone else. Check each of these against your contract:

What to have on the policy

Limits the contract requires — $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate is a common ask; some contracts want more or an umbrella on top
Additional insured for the GC and owner, including completed operations where the contract calls for it
Primary & non-contributory wording, so your policy responds before theirs
Waiver of subrogation if the contract requires it
Per-project aggregate if you’ll run several jobs at once

What to check for

Exclusions that hit your trade — residential or tract work, height limits, EIFS, subsidence, “action-over” claims
Classification that matches the work you actually do; work outside the classification may not be covered
Endorsements, not just the certificate. A certificate only shows coverage — additional insured status and waivers exist only if the policy was endorsed for them

Step 3

Workers’ comp — once anyone is on payroll.

Employees: Arizona generally requires workers’ compensation for employers. Put it in place before the first hire starts work.
Just you? Rules and options differ for owners with no employees — and many GCs ask for proof of coverage from subs either way. Ask before you assume.
1099 helpers: labour paid as 1099 can be picked up as payroll at the policy audit if it isn’t treated correctly. Ask how your carrier will treat it.
Your own subs: collect a current certificate from every sub you hire, and keep it on file.

Step 4

Vehicles, tools and equipment.

Commercial auto for any truck or van titled to the business. A personal auto policy may not cover a vehicle used for business.
Hired & non-owned auto if you or employees drive personal or rented vehicles for work.
Tools & equipment (inland marine) for gear on the truck, in storage and on site — list what it would cost to replace.
Rented equipment — rental agreements often make you responsible for it; check whether your policy covers that.

Step 5

As the work gets bigger.

Not always needed on day one — but often the next thing a contract asks for.

Excess

Umbrella

When a contract requires higher limits than your GL or auto policy carries.

Projects

Builder’s risk

For the structure under construction, when your contract makes it your responsibility.

Environmental

Contractors pollution

Some trades and contracts require it — many GL policies exclude pollution.

Design

Professional liability

If you design as well as build, or take on design-build work.

Bonds

Bid, performance & payment bonds

Tell us what a job requires and we’ll check whether it can be placed through our network — no promises, a straight answer.

Renewals

Your renewal date

Note it now. The useful time to review coverage is 60–90 days before it renews, not the week of.

Step 6

What to have ready for a quote.

Your businessLegal name, ROC licence number and classification, years of trade experience.
Your workWhat you do, residential vs commercial split, and who you’ll mostly work for.
Your numbersExpected first-year revenue and payroll, and whether you’ll use employees or subs.
Your vehicles & gearVehicles and drivers, and a rough list of tools and equipment with replacement values.
Your contractThe insurance section of any contract you’re about to sign.

Step 7

Certificates that pass first time.

The certificate holder’s exact legal name and address, as the GC or owner gave it
Additional insured, primary & non-contributory and waiver shown — with the endorsements actually on the policy
Project name or address if the contract asks for it
A copy kept on file for every job, and a note of when each policy renews

Already have a policy? Upload the declarations pages and we’ll send a written coverage review within 24 hours of receiving them — what you have, and whether it matches what your contracts ask for. If everything is in order, we’ll say so.

Talk to a licensed broker

Questions about your first certificate? Call or text Gavin.

DANESURE is an independent broker — we work for the contractor, not the insurance company. Carrier quotes typically take 1–2 business days; coverage reviews come back within 24 hours of receiving your documents. No cost, no obligation.

Call or text (623) 323-8385 Upload dec pages or a contract Book a 15-minute call

No policy yet? New ROC license — get covered to start work