General contractor insurance cost in 2026
General contractor insurance costs $56 to $400 per month for general liability in 2026, and most people pay about $162.
What moves the price
- The type of work matters, since roofing and electrical work cost more than carpentry.
- More employees and subcontractors raise the price.
- Higher yearly sales and payroll raise the price.
- Where the business works changes the rate, and states differ a lot.
- Past claims and higher limits push the price up.
- Where you live. Prices in big cities usually run higher than in small towns.
What is included
General liability covers injury and property damage claims from the work. A business owner's policy adds cover for property and lost income. Workers' compensation, commercial auto, tools cover and builders risk are bought as separate policies and cost extra.
Average cost of general contractor policies (median, July 2026)
| Policy | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| General liability | $162 | $1,950 |
| Business owner's policy | $125 | $1,503 |
| Workers' compensation | $196 | $2,348 |
| Commercial auto | $287 | $3,444 |
| Builder's risk | $136 | $1,635 |
Average prices in US dollars. Source: Insureon.
Ways to pay less
- Bundling general liability and property cover in a business owner's policy can cost less.
- Getting quotes from at least three carriers, including ones that focus on contractors, helps find a lower rate.
- A higher deductible or lower limits can keep the premium down, if the contract allows it.
- Keeping proof of insurance from every subcontractor and a clean safety record can help at renewal.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages. They do not all measure the same thing, so the ranges on this page come from putting them side by side.
- Insureon: General Contractor Insurance Cost
- NEXT Insurance: General Contractor Insurance Cost
- 1800Insurance: General Contractor Insurance
- QuoteSweep: General Contractor Insurance Cost (2026)
Common questions
How much does this cost in 2026?
General contractor insurance costs $56 to $400 per month for general liability in 2026, and most people pay about $162. Most people pay about $162 per month for general liability. The low end is $56 and the high end is $400.
What changes the price the most?
The biggest factors are: The type of work matters, since roofing and electrical work cost more than carpentry; More employees and subcontractors raise the price; Higher yearly sales and payroll raise the price.
How can I pay less?
Bundling general liability and property cover in a business owner's policy can cost less. Getting quotes from at least three carriers, including ones that focus on contractors, helps find a lower rate. A higher deductible or lower limits can keep the premium down, if the contract allows it.
Where do these numbers come from?
From 4 named price guides: Insureon, NEXT Insurance, 1800Insurance, QuoteSweep. Each one is linked on this page with the date we read it.
Related costs
Compare prices
Related jobs people check next, with the usual 2026 price.
| Job | Usual price |
|---|---|
| General liability insurance cost | $45 to $123 |
| Builders risk insurance cost | $350 to $7,000 |
| Errors and omissions insurance cost | $50 to $88 |
| Car insurance cost | $600 to $5,000 |