Construction sites are busy places. Workers use heavy equipment. Materials get moved around constantly. Accidents can happen fast. Construction general liability insurance in Houston, TX, steps in when things go wrong. But what does it actually cover? And what's left out?
Let's break it down in simple terms.
What Does This Insurance Cover?
When Someone Gets Hurt
This coverage helps when someone outside your company gets injured. Maybe a visitor trips over your tools. Or a client slips on your job site. The policy pays their medical bills. It also covers legal costs if they decide to sue you.
There's one big catch, though. This only works for people who you do not employ. Your own crew needs different protection.
Damage to Other People's Property
Construction work can break things. Your equipment might hit a gas line by accident. A worker could drop something on a client's driveway. Paint might splash on someone's car.
Contractor risk insurance in Houston, TX takes care of these problems. It pays to fix or replace damaged property. It handles legal bills if the owner gets upset and sues.
Advertising Problems
This part might seem weird. But it covers issues like using someone else's logo without asking. Or if you say something false about a competitor. These advertising mistakes can cost money. The policy helps with those costs.
Small Medical Bills
Sometimes people get minor bumps and scrapes on your site. They don't want to make a big deal about it. They just need a doctor visit covered. This part of the policy pays those small bills quickly. Usually up to $5,000 or $10,000 per person.
Paying these bills fast often stops bigger problems later.
What It Doesn't Cover?
Your Workers Getting Hurt
Here's where people get confused. General liability doesn't help your employees when they get injured. A separate policy called workers' compensation does this job. Texas law requires most businesses to have it.
So if your carpenter falls off a ladder, general liability won't pay. Workers' comp handles it instead.
Your Own Stuff
Someone steals your tools. A storm wrecks your equipment. Vandals mess up your trailer. General liability doesn't cover any of this. You need different insurance to protect your own gear and materials.
Mistakes in Your Work
General liability covers physical accidents. It doesn't cover professional errors. Let's say you read the blueprints wrong. Or you use the wrong building materials. The damage from these mistakes isn't covered. You'd need professional liability insurance for this.
Environmental Issues
Your truck leaks oil on someone's driveway. Your crew accidentally damages an underground fuel tank. These pollution problems usually aren't covered. You need special pollution insurance for environmental risks.
Your Company Vehicles
Fleet liability insurance in Houston, TX, is completely separate. If your work truck crashes on the highway, general liability won't help. You need commercial auto insurance for that.
Lots of construction companies run multiple vehicles. Fleet insurance in Houston, Texas, for commercial vehicles protects you when your trucks or equipment cause road accidents.
Other Things Not Covered
Damage You Cause on Purpose
The policy won't pay if you break something intentionally. This makes sense. Insurance is for accidents, not deliberate acts.
Some Contract Requirements
Sometimes contracts make you responsible for things your policy doesn't cover. Always read your contracts carefully. You might need extra coverage to meet certain requirements.
Computer and Data Problems
Hackers steal customer information from your system. Your computer gets a virus. General liability doesn't cover cyber problems. You need cyber insurance for digital threats.
Why Houston Contractors Need More Than One Policy?
Houston keeps growing fast. Construction projects range from small homes to huge commercial buildings. Hurricanes and storms add extra risks, too.
Construction general liability insurance is a great start. But it works best with other policies backing it up. Workers' comp protects your team. All these policies work together. They create complete protection for your business.
Wrapping Up
General liability insurance does a lot. It covers common accidents involving customers and their property. But it's not perfect. Knowing what it doesn't cover helps you avoid bad surprises. Smart contractors don't stop at one policy. They build a full insurance plan based on their actual risks. This keeps their business safe from different angles.
Talk to an insurance pro who knows construction. They'll spot gaps in your coverage. They'll explain exactly what you have and what's missing. Your business needs protection just as strong as the buildings you create. Taking time to understand your insurance now prevents headaches later. It's one of the smartest moves any contractor can make.
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