Plumbing Contractor Insurance That Helps Protect Your Business.
From everyday repairs to new construction projects, plumbing work comes with unique risks. Our agents compare options from 20+ top-rated carriers to help build insurance solutions tailored to your plumbing business.
THE FIRSTMARK CHALLENGE
A better way to review coverage.
Four simple steps. Zero obligation.
Have A Conversation.
We shop the markets.
Review the results.
You decide.
- Licensed in 39 states
- 20+ Insurance Carriers
- Headquartered in Edmonds, WA
- Independent & Unbiased
A better way to review coverage.
The Firstmark Challenge
Our simple, guided process makes reviewing your insurance easy. We take the time to understand your needs, compare options across top carriers, and present clear results—so you can make a confident decision.
01
Have A Conversation
02
We Shop The Markets
03
Review The Results
04
You Decide!
Keep Your Plumbing Business Flowing with the Right Protection
With FirstMark Insurance’s dedicated commercial insurance team, you get local experts comparing coverage from over 20 insurance carriers to help protect your plumbing business, employees, tools, equipment, and vehicles—with strong coverage and competitive pricing.
Plumbing contractors work in homes, businesses, construction sites, and commercial facilities where even a small mistake can lead to significant property damage. From repairing leaking pipes and installing fixtures to completing plumbing systems for new construction, plumbers face a variety of risks every day.
Plumbing contractor insurance can help protect your business against property damage, customer injuries, employee accidents, vehicle losses, stolen equipment, and other unexpected events.
Whether you're a self-employed plumber or operate a plumbing company with multiple employees, service vehicles, and crews, having the right combination of commercial insurance coverage can help protect the business you've worked hard to build.
What Insurance Does a Plumbing Contractor Need?
There isn't one insurance policy that covers every plumbing business. Instead, coverage is typically built using several types of commercial insurance based on your operations, employees, vehicles, equipment, and the types of projects you perform.
General Liability Insurance
Plumbing contractor general liability insurance is one of the most important coverages for a plumbing business. Working inside customers' homes and commercial properties creates significant potential for accidental property damage.
A damaged pipe connection could cause water damage, equipment could accidentally damage flooring or cabinetry, or a customer could be injured around your work area. General liability insurance can help protect your business against qualifying claims involving bodily injury and property damage.
Customers, general contractors, property managers, and commercial clients may also require plumbers to provide proof of general liability insurance before work begins.
Workers' Compensation Insurance
Plumbing employees can face a variety of workplace hazards. Lifting heavy equipment, working in confined spaces, using power tools, climbing ladders, and working around construction materials can all result in injuries.
Workers' compensation insurance can provide benefits for qualifying employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. Requirements vary depending on where the plumbing business operates and how it is structured.
Commercial Auto Insurance
Service vans and trucks are essential to many plumbing businesses. Employees may travel to several jobsites each day while transporting tools, replacement parts, fixtures, and equipment.
Commercial auto insurance can provide liability and physical damage coverage for qualifying business-owned vehicles. Businesses with multiple service vehicles may be able to insure them together under a commercial auto policy.
Plumbing contractors should also discuss permanently installed equipment and valuable tools carried inside their vehicles with their insurance agent, as commercial auto insurance does not necessarily provide coverage for everything transported inside a vehicle.
Plumbing Tools and Equipment Insurance
Plumbers can have thousands of dollars invested in tools and specialized equipment. Tools and equipment insurance, often provided through inland marine coverage, can help protect qualifying equipment while it is at a jobsite, in transit, or temporarily stored away from your primary business location.
Coverage may be available for items such as:
- Power tools
- Pipe threading equipment
- Drain cleaning machines
- Inspection cameras
- Press tools
- Generators and compressors
- Hand tools
- Other portable plumbing equipment
Larger or particularly valuable equipment may require additional coverage or specifically scheduled limits.
Commercial Property Insurance
A plumbing contractor who owns or leases an office, warehouse, shop, or storage facility may also need commercial property insurance.
Coverage can help protect business property such as office equipment, inventory, plumbing supplies, fixtures, furniture, and certain equipment against covered losses.
Commercial Umbrella or Excess Liability Insurance
A serious liability claim can potentially exceed the limits of an underlying insurance policy. Commercial umbrella or excess liability insurance can provide additional limits above certain underlying policies.
Higher liability limits may also be required when plumbing contractors work on larger commercial construction projects or perform work for general contractors, developers, municipalities, and other organizations.
Insurance for Different Types of Plumbing Contractors
Plumbing businesses can perform a wide range of services, and insurance companies may evaluate each type of operation differently.
Coverage may be available for plumbers specializing in:
- Residential plumbing
- Commercial plumbing
- New construction plumbing
- Plumbing repair and service
- Drain and sewer cleaning
- Water heater installation
- Fixture installation and replacement
- Pipe installation and repair
- Remodeling and renovation plumbing
- Emergency plumbing services
The types of projects you perform should be accurately described when applying for insurance. Specialized operations or higher-risk plumbing services may require additional coverage or different insurance classifications.
Plumbing Contractors and Water Damage
One of the most significant exposures for a plumbing contractor is the potential for water damage. A failed connection, improperly installed fixture, damaged pipe, or other plumbing problem can cause extensive damage to walls, flooring, cabinets, equipment, and personal property.
Plumbing contractors should carefully review their general liability insurance and understand how their policy responds to property damage claims arising from completed work.
Coverage can vary between insurance companies, particularly when determining whether damage involves the plumber's own work or damage to other portions of a customer's property.
Insurance When Using Plumbing Subcontractors
Plumbing contractors who use subcontractors should make sure their insurance program accurately reflects those operations.
Insurance companies may require subcontractors to maintain their own general liability and workers' compensation insurance. Contractors should maintain current certificates of insurance and may also use written subcontractor agreements that establish insurance requirements.
Depending on the project, subcontractors may also be required to name the plumbing contractor or general contractor as an additional insured.
Protect Your Plumbing Business
A plumbing company represents an investment in vehicles, tools, equipment, employees, customer relationships, and professional reputation. Appropriate business insurance can help protect those investments when an unexpected accident or loss occurs.
The right insurance program depends on factors including the type of plumbing services performed, annual revenue, payroll, number of employees, subcontractor usage, vehicles, equipment, project size, and claims history.
Working with an independent insurance agent allows you to compare plumbing contractor insurance options from multiple insurance companies and find coverage designed around the needs of your business.
FAQs
What insurance does a plumbing contractor need?
Plumbing contractors commonly need general liability, workers' compensation, commercial auto, tools and equipment, and commercial property insurance. Umbrella or excess liability and other specialized coverages may also be appropriate depending on the services performed.
Does plumber insurance cover water damage?
General liability insurance may provide coverage for qualifying property damage claims resulting from plumbing operations. However, coverage can depend on what caused the damage, when it occurred, and whether the claim involves the plumber's own work or damage to other property. Policy terms and exclusions should be carefully reviewed.
Does plumbing contractor insurance cover tools?
Tools can often be protected through inland marine or contractors tools and equipment coverage. This may provide protection for qualifying tools while they are being transported, used at a customer's property, or temporarily stored away from the contractor's primary business location.
How much does plumbing contractor insurance cost?
The cost of plumbing contractor insurance depends on factors such as annual revenue, payroll, number of employees, services performed, subcontractor costs, vehicles, equipment value, claims history, and selected coverage limits. An independent insurance agent can compare options from multiple insurance companies to find coverage appropriate for the business.