Insurance for Floor Installation

Floor laying, finishing and refinishing operations are specialty carpentry exposures involving the actual construction and laying of floors in residential or commercial buildings. This may or may not include the installation of floor coverings such as linoleum, tile or carpeting. For new structures, operations can include cutting and installing sub-flooring over a structural frame, installing hardwood flooring and applying layers of paint and/or varnish. Refinishing operations include stripping existing finishes, sanding the floor to a smooth surface and applying finishes.

Linoleum, tile and carpet installation contractors install floor coverings over base flooring in both residential and commercial structures. Operations include measuring the floor to be covered and the linoleum, carpet or tile to be installed, cutting the materials to fit around obstructions, application of adhesive and final installation of the linoleum or other materials. Sometimes there are wood or metal strips or thresholds between rooms.

Recommended Insurance Programs for Flooring Installers

Minimum recommended coverage:

• General Liability
• Property Insurance
• Commercial Auto (or Hired and Non-Owned)
• Inland Marine
• Workers Compensation

Other coverages to consider for Floor Installation:
Contractors’ Equipment and Tool Floater (Inland Marine), Umbrella Liability, Building, Business Income with Extra Expense, Bailees Customers, Installation Floater and EPLI.

Common Risks and Needs Associated with Floor Installers

GL Insurance
Business general liability for premises exposures at the contractor’s shop or office are generally limited due to lack of public access to the premises. If controls in waste collection and fire control are inadequate, fires from woodworking and/or lumber storage operations can affect neighboring businesses or homes. Outdoor storage may create vandalism and attractive nuisance hazards. Jobsite operations include the potential for injury to the public and to other contractors’ employees and damage to their property or completed work.

Tools, power cords, building materials and scrap materials all pose trip hazards even when not in use. The use of saws and other power or hand tools is inherently hazardous. Employee selection, training and supervision as well as the use of casual labor and employee turnover should be checked since improper use of tools and equipment can cause injuries and damage.

GL exposure for completed operations liability are important because the flooring contractor builds or installs the floors on which all the customer’s operations take place. Quality control and full compliance with all construction, material and design specifications are necessary. Inadequate monitoring of work orders and change orders may be a concern. Poor record-keeping may necessitate payment of otherwise questionable claims. Inspection and written acceptance of the work by the owner or general contractor is critical and recommended.

Property Insurance
Property exposures at the flooring specialist’s premises are usually limited to those of an office and storage space for supplies, tools and vehicles. The hazards are high if there is a contractor’s yard. The storage of lumber, paints, finishes, varnishes and shellacs combined with the dust from the cutting of the lumber or wood can create a high fire and explosion exposure.

Commercial Auto
Automobile liability exposures are limited unless lumber and pre-made items are transported by the installer. Hazards of transport include failure to secure the load properly and equipment failure, especially tie-downs and hitches. Age, training, experience and driving records, as well as the age, condition, and maintenance of the vehicles, are all important items to consider. If over-sized items are transported, clear marking of vehicles is important.

Inland Marine Coverage
Inland marine exposures include contractors’ tools, installation floater and customers’ goods (building materials) in transit to the job site. Ownership of the goods is an important consideration for the installation floater exposure. Hazards in transit include shifting and over-sized loads. Improper loading or inadequate tie-down poses a serious loss potential.

Equipment at a job site can be damaged by drops from heights, weather damage or being struck by vehicles. Equipment and supplies left at job sites increase the possibility of loss due to theft and vandalism.

Workers compensation
Workers compensation exposures vary based on the size and nature of the job. Work with hand tools and sharp objects such as saws, knives and nails is common to all types of carpentry and can result in cuts, piercings and accidental amputation. Lifting injuries, hernias, strains, sprains and back injuries may occur. Work at floor level for extended periods of time can result in injuries to knees. Minor injuries may be frequent even when the severity exposure is controlled. Absence of basic safety equipment, such as properly installed guards, steel-toed shoes and eye protection may cause other workers comp risks. Employee selection, training and supervision affect the loss potential.

General Liability Quotes for Flooring Contractors

General Liability Shop.com offers affordable liability insurance quotes for floor installers throughout the U.S. Our Flooring insurance 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.

Flooring Contractors Business Liability Classification Codes

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

Business Liability Category: Artisan Contractors

SIC Business Insurance Codes:

• 1752: Floor Laying And Other Floor Work
• 3253: Tile Floor Installers
• 2273: Carpet Installation
• 3996: Linoleum and Hard Surface Installation

NAICS Liability Classifications:

• 238330: Flooring Contractors

Business ISO General Liability:

• 91341: Interior Carpentry
• 94569: Floor Covering Installation—Not Ceramic, Tile or Stone

Common Workers Compensation Class Codes:

• 5478: Carpet, Linoleum, Vinyl Installation
• 5438: Tile Floor Installation
• 5437: Hardwood Floor Installation and Refinishing
• 5645: Residential Construction
• 5651: Commercial Carpentry
• 5436: California—Hardwood Floor Installation