General Liability That Holds Up When Someone Actually Reads It
General liability pays when your work or your premises injures someone else or damages their property — the slip on your floor, the pipe that fails six months after the job, the ladder through the customer’s window. For trade contractors, the policy lives or dies on details most agents skip:
Completed operations coverage for work that fails after you’ve left the job.
Correct classification codes — a plumber rated as a handyman is a canceled policy waiting to happen.
Additional insured endorsements — ongoing and completed ops — GCs and project owners demand.
Per-project aggregates when contracts require them.
We write GL for plumbers, electricians, HVAC, remodelers, landscapers, cleaning companies, shops, and offices across East Texas — from standard carriers to specialty markets.
The COI promise
Certificates with the right wording, usually same business day. Your contract shouldn’t wait on your agent.
Common questions
How much GL do I need? $1M/$2M is the working floor for most contracts; some GCs and municipalities want more — we match the contract.
Does GL cover my tools or my employees’ injuries? No — that’s inland marine and workers’ comp. We quote them together so nothing falls between policies.
Do I need GL if it’s just me? Usually yes. GCs, property managers, and cities want a certificate before you set foot on the job — and a one-man crew can still put a ladder through a window.
Does GL pay to redo my own bad work? Generally no. Faulty workmanship itself is excluded; the resulting damage to other property is usually where coverage responds. Policy language controls — we’ll read yours with you before you sign anything.
What actually drives my premium? Class code, payroll or receipts, limits, years in business, and claims history. A wrong class code is the most common reason a contractor overpays for years without ever knowing it.
Will I get audited at the end of the year? Most GL policies audit payroll and receipts at expiration. Keep a certificate on file for every sub you hire — uninsured subs typically get charged back to you as payroll.
Do I have to carry workers’ comp in Texas? Texas doesn’t require most private employers to carry it — but your contracts might. If a GC or property owner requires comp, a GL policy alone won’t satisfy them.
My GC says my certificate is wrong. Now what? Send us the insurance requirements page from the contract. We compare it line by line against your policy, add the endorsement if one is missing, and reissue — usually the same business day.
What do you need from me to issue a COI? The certificate holder’s exact name and address as the contract spells it, the job name or number, the limits required, and whether they want additional insured, waiver of subrogation, or primary and non-contributory wording. Send us the requirements page and we’ll pull the rest off your policy.
→ Get My Free Quote | Call or text 903-372-1901 — a licensed Longview agent, not a call center.