PRODUCT: Primary commercial general liability for artisan contractors

COMPANY: General Star Indemnity

BEST RATING: A++ (Superior)

AVAILABILITY: Available to all General Star-appointed wholesale brokers.

FOCUS: Imagine several contractors are hanging a large sign on top of an office building. Suddenly, one of the workers slips and the sign crashes through the front window. Or, while repaving a section of the sidewalk, a contractor connects their equipment to an electrical generator on their truck, with the cord running along the sidewalk. A passerby trips on the cord and ends up in the hospital. Or, a handyperson is working on the roof of a client’s house. A sudden storm hits, causing them and their tools to fall from the roof. The fall injures the handyperson, as well as two people on the ground.

What happens if these contractors are not fully insured? The answer could be financial ruin. Because artisan contractors put themselves in danger every day, liability insurance is critical.

“Coverage for contractors has been a noticeable gap in our product offerings,” explains Peter Keogh, vice president and underwriting executive at General Star. “As a result, we have added new offerings specifically for artisan classes. Because these contractors represent a sizable portion of the excess & surplus marketplace, it is imperative to ensure that are covered with proper liability insurance.”

UNDERWRITING: Applicants have the option to obtain a package policy, subject to eligibility requirements. General Star’s “40+” endorsement, which adds more than 40 additional coverages, is available at no extra charge, as is coverage for contract-required additional insureds. Blanket waiver of subrogation and blanket primary non-contributory protection are also available at the request of the applicant without additional premiums.

This primary commercial general liability protection is written on an occurrence basis with limits up to $1 million per occurrence, $2 million general aggregate, $2 million products/completed operations aggregate and $1 million advertising injury or offense. A zero deductible is available for most classes. The risk appetite includes up to $1 million in gross receipts, up to $300,000 in payroll and up to 25% or $200,000 subcontractor costs.

MINIMUM PREMIUM: None.

TARGET: Small- to midsize risks that specialize in artisan classes, with up to $1 million in gross receipts or up to $300,000 in payroll. Subcontractor costs must be no greater than 25%, up to a maximum of $200,000.

Eligible classes include painting, carpentry work, driveway paving and repairing, drywall and wallboard installation, electrical work, handyperson, heating and air conditioning, masonry work, plastering, plumbing, sign erection, fence erection, interior decorator and tile work.

COVERAGE TERRITORY: ME, MA, NH, NJ, OK and VT. General Star anticipates expanding into additional states.

CONTACT: Peter Keogh, vice president and underwriting executive; General Star Management Company, 120 Long Ridge Road, Stamford, CT 06902; 203-328-5486.

Ronimarie Acord is an IA contributor.