Massachusetts contractors insurance

Licensing & registration in Massachusetts

Contractor licensing in Massachusetts is handled at the state and/or local level and can vary by trade and project size — construction supervisor and home-improvement registration are common for residential work, and trades such as electrical and plumbing carry separate state licensing. Verify the current requirement with your state licensing board (and the city or town where you work) before bidding.

Many licensing bodies require a license or registration bond as a guarantee to the public, separate from your liability insurance. Whether a bond applies depends on your jurisdiction and trade, so confirm the current rule before you start.

Coverages Massachusetts contractors carry

• •General liability — generally intended to respond to third-party injury and property damage from your work, including completed-operations claims that surface after a job.
• •Workers’ compensation — required in most states once you have employees, and commonly required of subs by the GCs who hire them.
• •License / registration bond — a guarantee to the public required by many licensing bodies; distinct from your liability insurance.
• •Tools & equipment (inland marine) — optional coverage generally intended to address loss or damage to your own gear.
• •Commercial auto — for work trucks and vans; personal auto typically excludes business use.

Who needs it in Massachusetts

Common Massachusetts users include home builders and remodelers, roofers, electricians, plumbers, HVAC, and landscapers across Boston, Worcester, Springfield, and Cambridge.