General Contractors Insurance – Ontario

Coordinating and bringing a project to life is a complex, to say the least. From the initial planning stages to obtaining permits, project management, and the finishing touches, there’s a lot that goes on in between. Any time during the planning and building process, the unexpected can happen. Through a comprehensive review of your business operations, our team can help define your insurance protection program and maximize the effectiveness of your insurance spend by connecting you to the products that will matter most.

As your local insurance experts, we know that each business in Ontario is unique in its own way. From industrial contractors with large-scale projects in Thunder Bay to marine contractors working along the Great Lakes and every general contracting project in between, we’ve got you covered. With all it has to offer, it’s not hard to understand why so many people decide to set up shop in Ontario.

We understand it’s vital to protect what’s most important to you and your business. Our expert insurance advisors are here to ensure you’re protected and provide peace of mind so you can focus on nurturing your business for the future.

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Why Choose Westland?

We know that your business insurance needs to match your goals, your business and your budget. Our expert business insurance advisors get to know you and your business, so that they can tailor a policy to your exact needs. We’ll work with you to build a risk management solution, ensuring coverages line up with your business needs.

Insurance can be complex sometimes. Let our expert insurance advisors do the heavy lifting! We’ll help you find a policy that you feel is the best fit and provides peace of mind. To learn more about the benefits of being a Westland client, click here.

Contractors & General Contractors Insurance

Not many others on a large project have more responsibility than a general contractor, from coordinating permits to supervising and inspecting all stages of the build. To ensure that the project is completed on time, there are many moving parts to consider. Contractors insurance isn’t just for the finished project; it’s for all aspects, from securing funds to providing the final finishing touches.

No matter the industry, our business insurance advisors can help you find the right coverage to ensure your business is covered if there’s a loss during the many responsibilities of the contractor’s process.

What Types of Insurance Are Available to Contractors?

Business liability provides coverage for liability claims alleging from bodily injury and property damage to others arising out of your operations. Such third party losses and subsequent legal liability claims can be triggered by operations performed by employees or subtrades, product failure, or from completed work hazards. To learn more about commercial liability, click here.

Tools insurance covers your hand tools and portable tools when at a jobsite, in transit or while locked in a vehicle or storage. Examples of tools covered include:

  • Saws
  • Screw Drivers
  • Socket Sets
  • Drills
  • Nail Guns
  • Belt Sanders
  • Hammers
  • Compressors

Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL) Insurance can provide liability protection for contractors against the environmental liability claims not covered by standard commercial general liability insurance policy due the industry-standard pollution liability exclusions and clauses.

Limits of liability, coverage type and policy format vary depending one’s specific operations, risk exposures and requirements. Our business insurance advisors can help you find the right coverage for your business.

  • Installation Floaters
  • Project Broad Form Property Insurance
  • Project “Wrap-up” Liability Insurance
  • Project Equipment Breakdown Insurance
  • Contractors Errors & Omissions Insurance
  • Faulty Workmanship/Rip and Tear
  • Forest Fire Fighting Expense Insurance

You may not think of your work as ‘specialty’, but your insurance company might disagree. Whether it’s marine, aerospace, industrial, or mining, high-rise, and high-rise work as well as municipal or provincial infrastructure, connect with us to see if your policy covers the nature of your business. Anything besides standard commercial and residential buildings should trigger a ‘specialty’ focus when it comes to a contractor’s policy.

CCDC (Canadian Construction Documents Committee) is a standardized set of contract documents that are meant to give certainty to owners and contractors. Specific insurance requirements are included, and every sub-trade must carry the right types and amounts of coverage if they are working under CCDC.

A business liability policy covers property damage or bodily injury resulting from the physical work you do. However, suppose someone claims they suffered economic damages because of alleged negligent performance of professional services you made in the design (with respect to design build services, project management services), material choice, etc. In that case, you need the right errors and omissions coverage to defend your business.

Pollution insurance is most definitely important for many contractors. Standard insurance policies exclude loss or damage caused by “pollution”. The definition of a pollutant is broader than what you may think. Everything from coolant to diesel can be considered a pollutant, and you need specialized coverage to pay in the event of a cleanup.

Your business liability policy isn’t designed to provide coverage if your business is sued for breach of contract or if you need to pursue a client who is withholding payment. It also isn’t meant to pay for regulatory or tax disputes.

  • Marine Contractors
  • Aerospace Contractors
  • Industrial Contractors
  • Small Contractors & Subcontractors
  • Mining and Oil & Gas Industry Contractors (including Wellhead contractors)
  • General Contractors
  • Electrical Contractors
  • Framing Contractors
  • Roofing Contractors
  • Finishing Contractors
  • Mechanical Contractors
  • Concrete Contractors
  • Remediation Contractors

We can help with your auto insurance needs too! Connect with us today to ensure you’re covered out on the road.

How Much Does General Contractors Insurance Cost in Ontario?

Just as businesses differ across Ontario, so do the risks and exposures which impact the cost. The following factors will impact the cost of your construction and development insurance coverage:

  • Experience
  • Location
  • Assets Insured
  • Scale of Project
  • Revenue
  • Claims History

Review Your Insurance and Get a Quote with Westland

Ready to discuss your insurance needs? Our expert advisors are here to review your current insurance policies, discuss your unique risks and operations, and find the perfect insurance policy for your business. Whether it’s over email, the phone or in person we are ready to help! To get started on a quote now and see price estimates for your business coverage, click the button below. Our advisors will contact you right away and help navigate your risk management needs. Of course, we are always available to talk over the phone or in person. Check out our locations page to connect with an office closest to you!

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Claims Example

Liability is one of the most common claims we see when it comes to contractors. For example, there are workers on site, and they hit a sprinkler and don’t know how to stop the water source. There can be immense damage resulting from their operations. The right contractors’ insurance policy will help mitigate these risks and get you back to your normal as quickly as possible.

Our goal is to find the best coverage for your business so you can focus on what’s important. To learn more about being a Westland client, click here.

10 Ontario Business Facts

  1. Niagara Falls is one of the largest draws to Ontario. In fact, it welcomed 12.9 million visitors in 2017 and tourism expenditures reached a whopping $2.4 billion!
  2. It comes as no surprise that Toronto is a big player in the film and television production sector. Often being called the Hollywood of Canada, over 25% of Hollywood movies are filmed in Toronto.
  3. Fishing is a beloved past time in Ontario, but it’s also an economic driver. With over 1.12 million anglers on Ontario water a year, they spend $1.6 billion a year in the province, whether at remote fishing lodges or supporting small angling businesses.
  4. Ontario is one of the most multicultural places in the world. It’s home to many festivals including Caribbean Carnival, Jazz Festival and Oktoberfest. In fact, there are over three thousand festivals each year.
  5. Ontario has a thriving agricultural sector. The province contributes to almost a quarter of all farm revenue in Canada. The top crop productions are soybeans, corn and winter wheat.
  6. Forestry is another large industry in Ontario, supporting over 53,000 jobs. In fact, the forests of Ontario cover a land area close to the size of Italy, Germany and the Netherlands…combined.
  7. Ontario is the national leader when it comes to manufacturing. Automotive, textiles, electrical goods and farm implements contribute to an industry that employs about half of Canada’s manufacturing jobs.
  8. The Royal Ontario Museum is the largest in Canada, and the fifth largest in all of North America. It sees a total of one million visitors a year who stop by to see many collections in over 40 galleries.
  9. Another driving force for the province is the food processing industry. Ontario has over 3,000 companies that make both food and beverage products. Companies include Kraft, Nestle, Kellogg’s, Coca Cola and PepsiCo.
  10. With over 25,000 restaurants in Ontario, it’s not surprising that some famous dishes have originated in Ontario. The Hawaiian pizza didn’t originate from the islands of Hawaii, rather at the Satellite Restaurant in Chatham!
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