Welding Business Insurance

Welding
A welder in helmet and gloves working on a construction project.
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Why do welders need insurance?

You know how dangerous welding can be, which is why you need insurance. If an employee is injured from an electric shock or exposure to fumes, workers' comp covers their medical costs. Other policies pay for financial losses related to property damage, accidents, and accusations of negligence.

Professional welding together a piece of metal equipment.
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Find the right coverage

Insureon's licensed agents help welding contractors and businesses find property and liability coverage that matches their unique risks. Fill out our free online application to compare quotes from top-rated providers.

Our expert agents will help you fulfill insurance requirements and get the right protection for your business.

What types of insurance do welding businesses need?

These insurance policies cover the most common welding business risks.
General liability insurance icon

General liability insurance

This insurance covers third-party legal expenses, such as a lawsuit from a client who trips over your welding equipment and breaks an ankle. It may be required for a commercial lease or contract.

BEST FOR
  • Slip-and-fall accidents
  • Damaged customer property
  • Product liability insurance
Business owner’s policy icon

Business owner's policy

A business owner's policy, or BOP, is an inexpensive way for welding businesses to buy general liability coverage and commercial property insurance together.

BEST FOR
  • Slip-and-fall injuries
  • Accidental damage to client property
  • Stolen or damaged business property
Workers’ compensation insurance icon

Workers’ compensation insurance

Most states require workers' comp for welding businesses that have employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work injury costs that health insurance might deny.

BEST FOR
  • Employee medical expenses
  • Disability benefits
  • Legal fees from workplace injuries
Commercial auto insurance icon

Commercial auto insurance

This policy covers bodily injuries and property damage caused by a mobile welder’s truck or other business vehicle. It also covers vandalism and weather damage.

BEST FOR
  • Physical damage and collision coverage
  • Medical costs if another person is injured
  • Vandalism and theft
Tools and equipment coverage icon

Contractor’s tools and equipment insurance

This policy helps pay for repair or replacement of MIG welders, grinders, drills, and other tools if they are lost, stolen, or damaged. It's a type of inland marine insurance.

BEST FOR
  • Equipment less than five years old
  • Equipment brought to a job site
  • Tools valued at $10,000 or less
Professional liability insurance icon

Professional liability insurance

A professional liability insurance policy covers legal defense costs when a welding contractor is sued for a mistake or oversight. It's also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O).

BEST FOR
  • Accusations of negligence
  • Failure to finish a project on time
  • Failure to follow a blueprint
Looking for different coverage? See more policies.

How much does business insurance cost for welders?

Construction contractor calculating insurance costs.

A welder who works alone will pay less for insurance than a welding shop with several employees.

Factors that affect your premiums include:

  • Type of welding work, such as residential or commercial
  • Business equipment and property
  • Business size, location, and revenue
  • Types of insurance purchased
  • Policy limits and deductibles
  • History of insurance claims
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How do I get welder's insurance?

It’s easy to get welding insurance coverage and surety bonds if you have your business information on hand. Our insurance application will ask for basic facts about your business, such as revenue and number of employees. Small business owners can buy a policy online and get a certificate of insurance with Insureon in three easy steps:

  1. Complete a free online application
  2. Compare insurance quotes and choose policies
  3. Pay for your policy and download a certificate

Insureon's licensed agents work with top-rated U.S. insurance providers to find the most affordable coverage that fits your welding services, whether you do mobile welding or other types of work.

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Common questions about welding business insurance

Do contractors and subcontractors need insurance?

Contractors and subcontractors take on many of the same risks as a larger business, and need insurance for many of the same reasons. For instance, welding contractor insurance may be required to sign a contract with a client, lease a commercial office, or secure a business loan.

Even when insurance isn't required, you'll still benefit from the financial protection it offers. Especially in a dangerous profession like welding, sole proprietors and subcontractors might want workers' comp in order to avoid paying costly medical bills that likely won't be covered by personal health insurance.

Finally, if you use your personal vehicle for business use, you might want additional coverage for the same reason. Your personal auto policy likely won't cover work-related driving, which is why contractors who drive personal, leased, or rented vehicles for work depend on hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA) for coverage.

How do I insure equipment that travels with me?

Commercial property insurance only covers items at a fixed business location. Small business owners can buy inland marine insurance to cover welding equipment brought to construction sites and other locations away from your office.

The most common type of inland marine insurance for welders is contractor's tools and equipment insurance, which covers newer items valued at less than $10,000. It'll protect your property wherever you bring it and while it's in transit.

What other types of coverage might I need?

In addition to the policies mentioned above, welders should consider the following for their risk management plan:

Commercial umbrella insurance: This policy provides additional coverage once the limits are reached on your underlying general liability insurance, commercial auto insurance, or employer's liability insurance.

Surety bonds: Welders sometimes need a surety bond to sign a contract with a client. A bond guarantees reimbursement if a welding contractor fails to deliver agreed-upon services.

Builder's risk insurance: Also called course of construction insurance, this policy protects a structure under construction against fires, theft, vandalism, and other losses.

Find insurance quotes for welders

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