“Not all contractor liability insurance agents are created equal. In this episode, Shelli walks us through how to find quality contractor liability insurance agents you can trust, particularly in Washington state and King County.”
At Dunn Solutions, we’re dedicated to providing trusted information and advice to support trade contractors and craftspeople throughout the greater Seattle area. While we often share insight on quality materials and building techniques, we also understand that there are countless other facets of your business required to keep things running smoothly—like insurance.
From the basics of what contractor liability insurance is and how to read your policy to understanding policy exclusions and Washington laws that impact contractor liability insurance, there are a lot of factors to consider for your business. That’s why, for our Contractor Liability Insurance Series, we’re speaking to Shelli Lucus-Kennedy, owner and senior risk manager of Insurance Risk Services. With more than 40 years in insurance and risk management and a focus on the construction industry, Shelli is a wealth of knowledge, due both to her extensive experience and customer-driven approach.
As a builder or contractor, having thorough contractor liability insurance that accurately protects your business is a must. Unfortunately, not all contractor liability insurance agents are created equal, and you want to make sure you’re working with someone who thoroughly understands your business and unique liability needs. In this episode, Shelli walks us through how to find quality contractor liability insurance agents you can trust, particularly in Washington state and the Puget Sound region. It’s a short one but packed with helpful tips and insight you’ll want to keep in mind when looking for an insurance agent.
Watch our discussion in the video above, or keep reading to get the highlights.
Who are the best contractor liability insurance agents?
To do something well, you have to understand it. Much of an agent’s quality of work comes down to how much they care and how they’ve invested in long-term connections and relationships—within the local industry, with their clients, and with the insurance carriers.
Shelli notes that the best contractor liability insurance agents—those who fully understand the business, region, and contractors’ different situations—are the ones who actively participate in relative associations and organizations, continuing to network and learn more about how their clients’ businesses operate and what struggles their clients regularly come up against.
How do you find a trusted contractor liability insurance agent?
When starting your search for a quality agent, Shelli recommends starting by calling the local organizations, such as Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Washington or Associate Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Western Washington or the Pacific Northwest for commercial contractors and Master Builders Association for residential contractors.
You can then expand your research on LinkedIn or call different insurance carriers, such as Liberty Mutual in the Seattle-Puget Sound area, and ask for their references for agents in your area.
It’s also smart to ask potential agents how many clients they work with that are similar to you.
What questions will a quality agent or broker ask a prospective client?
While you’re collecting information about a potential contractor liability insurance agent, they should also be asking you questions to ensure you’re a good fit together. Some examples include:
- What type of construction work you’ve done in the past, and what you’re currently working on
- Who you’ve worked for (particularly if you’re a subcontractor)
- Where you work and the volume you’re dealing with
- What your loss history is like
- Your future direction or expected projects
Choosing a quality insurance agent is a crucial step in protecting your business and peace of mind. For more trusted insight, don’t miss other episodes in this series with Shelli sharing advice like how to read your contractor insurance liability policy and how to understand contractor insurance liability policy exclusions.