Nobody starts a Christmas light business because they love paperwork. But one fall off a ladder, one electrical fire, or one HOA asking for a Certificate of Insurance you don't have — and the paperwork becomes the only thing that matters. Here's what coverage actually protects you, in terms that matter to an install business, not a general contractor.
General Liability: The Non-Negotiable
General liability insurance covers property damage and third-party injury — a ladder scratching siding, a strand shorting out and starting a small fire, a guest tripping over your extension cord at a client's party. Most residential clients won't ask for proof, but commercial properties, HOAs, and property management companies almost always will. If you want those contracts, you need a policy and a Certificate of Insurance (COI) ready to hand over before they ask twice.
A few things to check on your policy:
- Coverage limits. $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate is the standard ask for most commercial jobs. Anything lower and you'll get bounced from bigger bids.
- Completed operations coverage. This matters specifically for you — it covers damage that shows up after the job is done, like a short that sparks weeks later. Standard liability sometimes excludes this, so ask directly.
- Additional insured endorsements. HOAs and property managers often want to be named on your policy for the duration of the job. This is a quick add, but you need to request it each time, not assume it's automatic.
Workers' Comp for Seasonal Crews
If you have even one W-2 crew member, most states require workers' comp — and "they're only seasonal" doesn't exempt you. This is the coverage that matters most on rooftop jobs: it pays medical bills and lost wages if someone gets hurt, without a lawsuit deciding whether you're liable. Skipping it to save money is the single most common regret we hear from owners after a bad fall.
If you're using 1099 subcontractors instead of employees, don't assume you're off the hook. Many states still require proof of their own workers' comp policy, or you inherit the liability. Get their certificate before the ladder goes up, not after.
Commercial Auto
Your personal auto policy almost certainly excludes business use — especially a trailer loaded with ladders, lights, and a logo on the door. Commercial auto coverage (or at least a business-use rider) protects you if a crew truck is in an accident while hauling equipment between jobs. It's cheap relative to the exposure, and it's one of the first things an adjuster checks after a claim.
Tools and Inventory
Lights, clips, extension cords, ladders, and controllers add up to real money sitting in a trailer overnight. A basic inland marine or equipment policy covers theft and damage to your gear — not just at the shop, but while it's in transit or staged at a job site. If a trailer gets broken into in October, this is what gets you back up and running before your busiest weeks.
Getting It Without Overpaying
Talk to an agent who already writes policies for landscapers, painters, or other seasonal trades — they'll understand the exposure without you having to explain what a C9 is. Bundling general liability, auto, and equipment with one carrier is usually cheaper than buying separately, and renewing every year (not letting it lapse in the off-season) keeps your rates from resetting high.
Insurance won't win you a job by itself, but not having it will lose you one — and it's the difference between a bad day and a business-ending one. Keep your COI, your policy limits, and your renewal dates somewhere your whole team can find them; tools like Pinecone's features can help keep that kind of business paperwork attached to your job records instead of buried in an inbox.