Standard Annual WC Policy for contractors

We have appointments with multiple standard and specialty markets — including carriers that focus on contractor risks. We shop multiple options and present you with the best combination of price, coverage, and carrier rating.

Often yes through specialty or surplus lines markets. The assigned risk pool is always available as a last resort. Call us with your situation and we'll find a path to coverage.

Admitted carriers are licensed in your state and regulated by the state insurance department. Surplus lines carriers operate under different rules and can write risks admitted carriers won't touch, but they are still legitimate, rated carriers. We use both depending on your risk profile.

Contact us 30–60 days before your renewal date. We'll shop the market and present alternatives. If we find a better option, we time the new policy to start when the old one expires — no gap in coverage.

Cost varies by trade, state, payroll size, and loss history. Ghost policies typically run $800–$2,500/year. Standard policies are rated per $100 of payroll at rates that vary by class code. We quote your specific situation in about 15 minutes.

Yes. Contractors Choice Agency is licensed in all 50 states and writes workers' comp for contractors anywhere in the country.

About 15 minutes for most trades. Have your trade type, payroll estimate, and employee count ready. Hard-to-place risks may take a day or two to place with the right markets.

Often yes. We have admitted and surplus lines markets for contractors with high experience mods, prior losses, OSHA citations, and other issues standard carriers won't write.

If you have employees, you need a real policy. If you're a sole proprietor with no employees who simply needs a certificate for a GC, a ghost policy is the right fit. We'll help you figure out which one applies to your situation.

A.M. Best ratings reflect a carrier's financial strength. We place coverage with A-rated carriers so you can be confident the policy will pay if a claim happens.

Yes. Roofing, demolition, framing, and other high-hazard trades are our specialty. We have markets that write these trades where other agencies can't help.

A waiver of subrogation prevents your WC carrier from suing the general contractor after paying a claim. Most GCs require this endorsement. We add it to your certificate same day.

Trade type, payroll estimate, employee count, states where you work, and any loss history. More detail means a more accurate quote, but we can start with the basics.

Yes. Short-term or project-based workers' comp policies are available for contractors who need coverage for a specific job rather than a full year. Call us and describe your project.

A lump-sum policy requires a large down payment at the start of the year. Pay-as-you-go spreads your premium across each payroll cycle based on actual wages. PAYG is better for contractors with variable workloads; lump-sum is simpler for stable payrolls.

If your subcontractors can't provide certificates of insurance, the carrier may add their payroll to your audit. Always collect certificates from every sub. We help contractors understand audit exposure before the audit happens.

Yes. We write new ventures and startups. Without loss history, you'll be rated on industry averages, but coverage is available for day one.

A missed payment can result in a lapse in coverage and loss of your certificate. If this happens, call us immediately — we can help reinstate or replace coverage quickly.