Insurance for Masonry Contractors

Masonry contractors install and repair brick, block, stone, veneer and other masonry items onto and inside of buildings or structures. The end use may be structural (load-bearing) or decorative. Their work may include fencing or retaining walls, outside signs and other related structures.

Masons must first clear and level job sites, then prepare mortar (cement, sand and water mix that is placed between the bricks). The clay bricks, concrete blocks or stone is then laid in rows to engineers’ and architects’ specifications and designs. Some types of structural masonry work have reinforcing rods for additional support.

Recommended Insurance Programs for Masons

Minimum recommended coverage:

• General Liability Insurance
• Inland Marine Coverage
• Property Insurance
• Hired and Non-Owned Auto (full commercial auto if vehicles owned)
• Workers Compensation

Other coverages to consider for Masonry Construction:
Contractors’ Equipment (Inland Marine Coverage), General Liability, Umbrella Liability, Automobile Liability and Physical Damage, Building, Business Income with Extra Expense, Builders Risk, Goods in Transit and Installation Floater.

Common Liability Risks and Insurance Needs Associated with Masonry Contractors

General Liability Insurance
Premises GL exposure is low at the contractor’s primary location since visitor access is limited, but equipment and materials stored in the open may present an attractive nuisance exposure for injuries.

Job-site exposures will vary based on whether work being done is new construction,repair or renovation of existing masonry, whether work is underground or at heights, and whether it is inside or outside. Protecting pedestrians, employees and other contractors from dropped objects and trip and fall hazards is important when working at heights.

Completed operations GL risks can be high due to the injury and property damage that can occur from improper installation and support. If a wall, column or foundation cannot support the required load, the entire structure may shift or collapse. Careful attention must be paid to the type and material of brick, and to the mix of the mortar, to ensure a solid foundation. All specifications must be followed and changes only made with signed permission. When veneer is being applied there must be adequate attachment points to prevent separation. Quality control is always an important risk control factor.

Property Insurance
Property exposures at the contractor’s own location usually consist of an office operation and storage of material, equipment and vehicles. The storage of bricks and stones are common and normally present minimal loss problems from either weather or fire. Pilfering by employees or others may be a problem, since there is such a wide variety of uses, and some stone has relatively high value. There may also be vandalism problems due to the attractive nuisance hazard. Adequate safeguards to prevent people from trespassing are important.

Commercial Auto
Automobile exposures can be high due to the transport of bulky material that can shift, and scaffolding which can be difficult to tie down. Age, training, experience and driving records, as well as age, condition and maintenance of the vehicles, are all important items to consider. Commercial auto insurance should be purchased if the vehicle(s) are owned by the business. Hired and non-owned auto should be considered if employees utilize their own vehicle for work.

Inland Marine Coverage
Inland marine exposures contractors’ equipment, construction materials in transit and installation floaters. Masonry materials are bulky and require special loading and tying down. The contractors’ equipment can be employees’ tools only or can include specialized lifting equipment or scaffolding. The training of drivers and haulers, especially in respect to the loading, tie-down and unloading, is important to avoid damage to bulky equipment and materials due to overturn or collision.

A potentially severe installation/builders’ risk exposure may arise from inadequate bracing of partially complete walls or other structures. Poor support, especially overnight between work times, may leave the structure vulnerable to collapse from wind or other perils.

Equipment and supplies may be subject to drop and fall from heights, especially when lifting masonry to the above ground stories of buildings. Materials and equipment left at job sites may be subject to theft and vandalism loss unless proper controls are in place.

Workers Compensation
Workers compensation insurance exposures can be high for Masonry Contractors. Lifting strains and crush injuries may arise at any phase of the operations. From the laying of the bricks, stone or blocks, to bracing partially completed work, frequent and severe losses can occur. Any time work is done above or below ground, injury may occur from falls, collapse of trenches or being struck by falling objects. The setup of lifts and scaffolding, the use of ladders and cranes as well as the transport of supplies above ground are all areas to review carefully. The use, misuse, maintenance and transport of heavy equipment and machinery have unique hazards that need review.

General Liability Insurance Quotes for Masonry Contractors

General Liability Shop.com offers affordable liability insurance quotes for Mason Contractors throughout the country. Our Masonry GL 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.

Masonry Liability Classification Codes

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

Business Liability Category: Contractors and Construction

SIC Business Insurance Codes:

• 1741: Masonry, Stone Setting and Other Stone work

NAICS Liability Classifications:

• 238140: Masonry Contractors
• 327310: Cement Manufacturers

Business ISO General Liability:

• 97447: Mason Contractors

Common Workers Compensation Class Codes:

• 5022: Mason Contractors and Masonry Construction
• 5222: Concrete Construction—Bridges and Culverts