Insurance for Cable Installers

Cable television provides programming to subscribers over fiber optic and coaxial cables, digitally or by satellite. Programming consists of episodic shows designed for entertainment including; variety shows, concerts, movies, talk shows, sporting events, instructional shows, investigative reports, news, weather, educational or financial information and advertising. Some have call-in shows where viewers can ask hosts for advice on various topics. They may lay lines and cables and actually distribute the programming to their customers.

Cable companies are granted monopolies in a specific communities. In return, they are contractually required to supply local access community broadcasting and other stipulated services. Cable companies may also offer internet and long distance telephone services through cables into customers’ premises. As technology advances, more services may be added.

Cable Installers are typically either employed by cable service providers or they are contracted as sub-contract labor by the cable providers. All sub-contract labor is generally required to have specific coverage limits per their agreement with the cable contractor.

Recommended Insurance Programs for Cable Installation

Minimum recommended coverage:

• General Liability
• Inland Marine Coverage
• Business Personal Property
• Commercial Auto Insurance
• Business Income with Extra Expense
• Workers Compensation

Other coverages to consider for Installers:
Building, Equipment Breakdown, Contractors Equipment, Cyber Liability, Employment-Related Practices and Umbrella Coverage.

Common Risks and Needs Associated with Cable Installation

General Liability Insurance
Premises liability exposure on premises is limited as most installers travel for their work. Exposure could exist for installers if a customer or member of the general public was injured at the business location.

Off-site exposure can be reasonably high as cable installers work both outside and inside homes. Installation of underground cables could result in severing gas, electrical, water or sewer lines. Proper clearance should be obtained from the affected utilities prior to digging. Use of a flag person is recommended to divert traffic from work areas. There are typically policies and procedures to monitor cable installers’ conduct and activities within customers’ homes.

Inland Marine Insurance
Inland marine exposures include all tools, equipment and trailers owned or used by a cable installation company. Inland marine insurance covers damages and theft to contractors’ tools and equipment when they are mobile.

Property Insurance
Property insurance includes both installer’s building (if owned) as well as their inventory and equipment located inside their primary location or home. Equipment is a concern, so security should be appropriate for the value of the equipment and the area where located.

Commercial Auto
Automobile exposures include mobile vehicles with permanently attached equipment that may be taken out of local areas for cable installation. Drivers should have training in operating vehicles, including special training for driving in adverse conditions. If the cable company supplies vehicles to installer, there should be a written policy on personal and permissive use. All drivers should have valid licenses and acceptable driving records. All vehicles should be maintained on schedule and copies of all records maintained in a central location for review.

Workers compensation
Workers compensation exposures on or off premises include slips and falls, electric shock from ungrounded equipment, falling items, injury from lifting of cable or other equipment and contact with clients or the general public. The installation of lines and cable for individual customers involves either an above ground exposure or a below ground excavation exposure, which significantly increases potential for workers compensation losses.

Workers can be injured while driving the vehicles to installation locations, or hit by other drivers while installing cable. Safety equipment is critical to prevent injuries.

Liability Quotes for Cable Installers

General Liability Shop.com offers affordable liability insurance quotes for cable installation throughout the U.S. Our cable installer programs include all lines of business insurance, as well as our Target programs for business owners policies (BOPs). Contact one of our business insurance Specialists today at 800-900-8657, or start a quote online now.

Cable Inslallation Liability Classification Codes

Commercial insurance companies use various liability classification systems in order to classify and rate coverage premiums for Cable Installation. Here are the most common business insurance classifications for Cable Installers:

Business Liability Category: TV and Media Installation

SIC Business Insurance Codes:

• 4841: Cable and Other Pay TV Services

NAICS Liability Classifications:

• 517110: Wired Telecommunications Carriers
• 515210: Cable and Other Subscription Programming

Business ISO General Liability:

• 91315: Cable and Subscription TV Companies

Common Workers Compensation Class Codes:

• 7536: Cable Installation and Construction
• 8901: Cable and Telecommunications—Office Employees
• 7600: Cable TV or Satellite—Other Employees and Drivers
• 6325: Conduit Construction—for Cables or Wires
• 8742: Outside Sales Persons