General Liability Insurance In MA

hammond b/r

Just joined the forum - looks like a great place for info. Just restarted my business - was in business for myself from 2000-2005 and then went to work for a high end framing company. Decided to go back out on my own. I'm being told by Hub International that policies for just general carpentry are difficult to come by and that companies that carried them a few years back aren't doing so anymore. The quote she gave me wanted 100% upfront and seemed high for the minimum coverages. Just wondering if anyone had a recommendation for a company/broker. Thanks in advance

dan-o

Rose Insurance in Salem MA. Ask for Rhonda. 978 745 6464

Astrix

General carpentry is not a high hazard business class, so I have trouble believing your broker’s comment that policies are “difficult to come by and that companies that carried them a few years back aren't doing so anymore.” What you need is an artisan package policy which is geared for construction trades, and there are lots and lots of insurance companies that write this type of insurance.

Unfortunately, I am located in Ontario, Canada so don’t know a specific broker to refer you to in Massachusetts. I can, however, tell you that every Canadian province and American state will have a local insurance association to help the public find a licensed agent or broker. A quick check on the internet led me to the Massachusetts site: (massagent/com) - ** see below. You will see an “Agent Locator” tab in the top right corner which you can use to find licensed agents/brokers in your city/town. I would suggest starting by checking out their websites. Try finding one that specializes in construction and/or “artisan” cover.

I can also tell you that there are literally hundreds of insurance companies writing business in North America. In Ontario we have over 200 companies that are licensed to write insurance in our province, and then there is always Lloyds of London which offers even more choices. Canada is not as populated as the USA, therefore, I can guarantee you that the state of Massachusetts will have even more insurance companies.

A well-kept secret for a lot of brokerages is that they don’t have access to every single insurance company out there. They might say that they shop the "entire marketplace for you", but it's not true. Instead, they will have contracts to represent only about a dozen or so insurers. A large brokerage like HUB may have up to 25 or even 40 companies, but they will never have access to every single insurer. It is more likely that the brokerage office you are dealing with currently doesn’t have access to an insurance company that writes insurance for artisan contractors, but that doesn’t mean it’s not easily available out there. You might have to make a few calls to several brokerages before you find one that fits your business needs. Keep shopping and good luck.

** RE above weblink: Apparently I am not allowed to post URLs to other sites because I don't have 15 posts yet. Just add the www and then exchange the / with a .com. You know where I'm trying to send you, right?

Patrick

Patrons mutual is about as cheap as it gets in Massachusetts

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Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

Merbs

Hub International obviously doesn't know what their talking about. Danca Insurance 781-321-6787. Malden, MA.

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Kitchen Design and Remodeling in Boston
Bathroom Design and Remodeling in Boston
Finished Basement Design and Remodeling in Boston

RenaissanceR

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ssv

shop around and pay what you have to . If you want to work for real in mass.

mark the coach

Mason and Mason, Tom Messier. He is a 16 year Member of Eastern Mass NARI, he is on the board, gives alot of his time to the contractors in the group. He writes insurance for many contractors in the group.

1-617-909-2004 mobile
1-800-759-1452 office

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mark the coach

RenaissanceR

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Paulie

Wow. I realize everyone is poor in my state (MI) but I pay around 800.00 per year with 2mil liability and 10,000 on my tools. Does not include Workman's Comp. I find it hard to believe you can't get a better deal.

I'm small potatoes though.

We Fix Houses

What kind of coverage do you have how ? How much is it ? What was covered in the quote you got for a lot more ?

Have you had a claim in the last 7 yrs ? If so the $900 / yr I pay (1 man shop - Carpentry) can go to several thousand.

Find your local home builders / remodelers assoc. website. There you'll find ins co's that sell to builders and know what their talking about.

RenaissanceR

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We Fix Houses

Go to an insurance "broker" that handles many lines of insurance not a captive agent who only sells one companies product. Again..look at your area home builders website. Insurance folks who know construction / bonds / small accts are hard to come by. However, on these forums seems like there are so many folks from NE & Mass. I hope they'll give some direction.

On my last audit, I said no to the website question. The only exclusion I have is for environmental and EFIS.

Paulie

I wish I could help more but it's obvious that insurance differs from state to state. I work on old homes 90% of the time. I've already stated what I pay per year. I know if you work on roofs the liability goes way up, one of the reasons I won't get up on a roof anymore! I used to be a lead abatement supervisor and know that lead (hazardous materials) insurance is $5,000 per year (in MI.).

I recently had to shop for different insurance. It took me a week of calls and quotes to settle on a agent/carrier. I am very happy with him, out of countless others he wanted to know about me, where my company is, where I wanted to be in the future and what exactly I did. He took the time to explain the liability of subs, accidents, theft.....ect. All this time I was waiting for the big money quote to fall but he was 2nd cheapest out of all my quotes, I couldn't believe it. I don't want to sound like a commercial for this guy/company but out of a hundred calls 99 just wanted to issue a half arsed blanket coverage and collect my money. So I guess the only help I can offer is to take lots of time to pick out the bloodsuckers and find somebody affordable that might have to cover your ass someday.

RenaissanceR

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