Imagine this scenario. You hire a company to replace the roof on your home, expecting for the project to resolve your leaks and improve your home’s efficiency. You’re excited to see the team arrive and get to work – it’s finally happening. Halfway through the project, you hear a few cracks and creaks in the beams, and then, suddenly someone falls through the roof, through the ceiling, and onto the floor of your home.
Accidents like this happen, and your home insurance agent has seen it happen.
Situations like this are why you have home insurance. It helps protect you from damage. But, did you know you may be responsible for the contractor’s injuries as well? This is where making a mistake when hiring someone can be a very big problem.
Who You Hire Matters as Does the Contractor’s Insurance They Carry
Whether you are hiring a home contractor for a new roof, HVAC, painting, landscaping, or any other home remodeling project, it is essential to verify the type and amount of contractor’s insurance they carry. If they do not have enough protection, they simply cannot protect you.
Workers’ Compensation in Arizona
The good news is Arizona law offers some protection. Under this law, all businesses that hire employees or has even a single employee (including sole proprietors) must carry workers’ compensation insurance. This type of commercial insurance protects you indirectly. If the employee suffers injuries, the workers’ compensation policy pays for them. But, if this policy is not in place, you may be responsible for the worker’s injuries and losses.
Commercial General Liability
You also want to be sure the roofing company carries proper commercial general liability insurance. This form of insurance provides financial coverage for claims filed against the contractor. In our previous example, this type of insurance would help cover all of the damage the roofer made to your home – the ceiling, the floor, and anything else damaged.
In some cases, builder’s risk and commercial auto insurance can also be valuable coverage. If you are hiring a contractor, your first step is to ensure they carry proper commercial insurance. Verify this. To do so, ask to see the Certificate of Insurance from the insurance provider. This can give you some peace of mind.
Choosing the Best Contractor Matters
Many homeowners do not take enough time to make sure the roofing contractor in Mesa has the proper amount and type of coverage. Yet, it is critical to do so. Here’s what else you should do:
- Read online reviews and ask others for referrals. You want to know what types of problems or service the company has provided to others.
- Let your home insurance agency verify the amount of coverage the insurer has.
- Let us also help you to protect your home with ample liability coverage.
- Be sure the company is registered with the city of Mesa to provide services.
- Check the Better Business Bureau website to learn more about them.
The more information you have, the better.
What Can You Do?
The most important step you can take as a homeowner is to know who you are hiring. You also want to ensure this party provides you with as much information as possible about the type of coverage they have in place. When you call our home insurance agent at Jarosch Insurance, we can help you in several ways. We’ll help you ensure your home has the right liability coverage in place. We also will make sure the contractor’s insurance is what it needs to be. And, we can help you make sure your home’s new value matches your existing policy. Don’t take the risk others take and hope their contractor is going to protect them.
