Insurance for flooring installers.

General liability, workers’ comp, commercial auto, and tools, for carpet, hardwood, vinyl, and laminate installers, whether you sub for flooring stores or sell and install your own jobs.

What flooring installers usually carry

General liability, $1M / $2M
Workers’ comp
Commercial auto
Tools and equipment
Installation floater
Umbrella

Watch for these in a flooring policy

Fumes from adhesives and finishesThe standard policy gives back some coverage for fumes from materials you bring into a building. A total pollution exclusion takes that back, which matters for glues, stains, and floor finishes.
Old tile and black masticTearing out old vinyl tile and mastic can disturb asbestos. Nearly every contractor policy excludes asbestos, so test before you scrape.
Flooring left to acclimateWood you deliver and leave to acclimate is often your responsibility until it is installed. An installation floater covers it before the job is accepted.
Sanding and refinishingRefinishing is often a separate class from installing, and stain-soaked rags and floor dust are a known fire cause. Make sure refinishing is on the policy if you offer it.

What flooring stores and GCs ask flooring installers for

Additional insured for the storeStores that sub out installation usually require you to name them, for ongoing and completed operations.
Workers’ comp or an exemptionMany stores and GCs will not schedule an installer without a comp certificate or a state exemption on file.
Waiver of subrogationOn general liability and workers’ comp, often written into the store’s installer agreement.
Auto liabilityFor the van you drive to their customers’ homes.

Questions flooring installers ask

Straight answers.

The questions we hear most, answered plainly.

Is a wood floor that cups after install covered?

Replacing the floor itself usually is not, because general liability doesn’t pay to redo your own work. If the failure damages other property, like cabinets or walls, that part may be covered.

Do I need my own insurance if I install for a flooring store?

Usually yes. Most stores require installers to carry their own general liability and workers’ comp and to name the store on the certificate.

Does my policy cover asbestos in old tile I remove?

No. Asbestos is excluded on nearly every contractor policy. If old tile or mastic may contain it, have it tested and leave removal to an abatement contractor.