sundance-communications.com/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information Insurance issues

We're bidding on a job and the customers building asked for a certificate of Insurance naming them. We are not doing any wiring in the building, just installing and programming the system.

We've never come accross this.
What exactly do we have to provide?

Call your agent, he/she will know exactly what they are talking about. Have the Management office of the building give, (or fax) you the "contractors requirements sheet"
Some are asking for 3 or even 5 Mill. on the generally liability alone but I've found that most are willing to accept a standard 1 mill for low voltage work. If you don't have a blanket for additional insured you'll have to pay extra to have them named. Your probably going to have to pull a local permit too.
It sounds S.O.P.

If you're sub contracting for a contractor who has insurance, the contractor should have insurance, and the customer may accept that.

I ask my subs to sign a "Hold Harmless" agreement in lieu of regular work If and when we start working regularly, I would ask the sub to carry his own insurance. It is only about $1k a yr for cheap 1 mil insurance coverage.

Yes, cabling, and especially construction sites require more expensive insurance. And, Data rooms......

It doesn't sound dangerous, but- I've seen a guy make a small slit in a carpet to poke a cable through, and it was a wall to wall carpet for the whole floor. He was sued for $100K.

you just never know; it's best to be protected-especially if you own anything more expensive than a screwdriver.

Several years ago I was asked to do some work for a local internet provider. Move equip and wiring for expansion. I called the building manager for night access procedures. They asked for the same but 5 mil in liability coverage. I carry 2 mil. Needless to say, we didn't do the work! 500k is pretty standard with some asking for 1 mil. It tends to weed out the fly-by-nighters and "retirees" looking to make some extra cash. Nuff said!

In parts of New York they not only want liability ins, min 2 mil, with a cover of 1 mil they also want auto insurance min, 1 mil, and workers comp. It seems in some buildings in the city they only want their people doing the work so they make it higher to prevent subs from doing anything. I don't think anyone will look at you if you only have 500 thousand

I'm in the process of renewing my insurance right now. I just got a quote (which I'll probably go with) for $2 Million CSL for $650.00. I'm not sure, but I think this has a tool floater with it for either $1,000 or $2,500 coverage. I've just had my first request for an auto liability certificate, so I'm getting a quote to bump that to $1 Million. Worker's Comp in PA is pretty standard; even though my son is a part owner (for insurance purposes, since owner's don't need to carry WC here), we're getting the coverage to enable us to get more jobs.

This is a good question about liability insurance.

Up here in Vancouver canada, it does not cost that much. But I can also work in the states. That means, I should have liability insurance in the event I fall or hurt some one in the course of say, installing cabling at heights.

Can some one give me a idea what I can expect to pay for short term liability insurance in Washington state? Would it be better to outsource the work to some one who is licensed in Washington, and his insurance covers me for the short duration of the project?

Thanks

This topic is 8 years old and I'm sure things have changed. May want to open a new topic, which should probably be in the Installers category. Closing.