Investing in your home is one of the best things you can do, but hiring the right contractor defines if any investment you make is a good one. At G&L Insurance, our team often works with clients who need a helping hand after contractors make mistakes. Here’s an example.
A homeowner hires a company to make roof repairs. The company installs a roof on the home but uses inferior products causing the roof to be improperly secured. To make matters worse, the homeowner learns that, in the process of installing the roof, one of the employees suffered a broken leg after a fall. Little did they know they could face responsibility for this as the property owner.
Are you responsible if someone is hurt on your property? You could be, but if you hire a contractor with proper insurance, the blame should shift to that provider. Many times, homeowners simply do not know this is something to look for before hiring a company.
Ask If They Have Insurance
One of the biggest mistakes we have seen as your home insurance agents in Waukesha, WI is this mistake. Homeowners know to ask if the company has insurance – but they never see the Certificate of Insurance from the company’s provider. Anyone can tell you they have insurance but seeing the proof is important. What should you look for?
- Workers’ compensation coverage. This can help cover costs related to worker injuries on the job. In this case, the roofer’s broken leg happened on the job, which means this policy should pay for it. Under Wisconsin law, most businesses are to have this policy in place.
- Commercial general liability coverage. A basic general liability insurance policy is essential for companies as it helps cover costs for their negligence. Installing the wrong type of roofing on your home is very expensive to fix, but their coverage could apply here.
- Builder’s risk coverage. If you are having major changes made to your home, this type of property insurance is important as well. It adds a layer of liability protection in negligence situations.
Be Sure You Know What to Do
But, what should you do to make sure the company has proper coverage? Here are a few simple steps.
#1: Find out about the company’s reputation.
You need to do some work learning about the company, the type of workmanship they provide, and what others in your area have experienced.
#2: Call your insurer for confirmation.
At G&L Insurance, we can verify the type of coverage the contractor has and offer some recommendations for you. Our team also can help make sure you have proper liability insurance on your home. If the worker suffers an injury, for example, you want to be sure there is enough protection in place to minimize your risks.
#3: Investigate the company’s claims.
Are they licensed to operate in the Waukesha area? Do they willingly provide you with the Certificate of Insurance for your peace of mind? Take steps to truly find out if the company is being honest with you. A call to City Hall is usually all it takes.
Finally, there is one more step to do after you have the work done. Call G&L Insurance. We want to be sure your home insurance matches the value of your home. If you add a significant amount of value, such as with a home addition or renovation, you’ll want to make sure you have enough coverage to protect that new investment. Do not assume your existing policy offers enough coverage.
