When you’re a contractor in New York, you know every day brings new challenges — tight deadlines, demanding clients, and complex job sites. But one of the biggest traps many contractors fall into is trusting that their insurance company is working in their best interest. The truth? Many insurance companies hide behind fine print, confusing policies, and high premiums — keeping you in the dark about how much protection you really have (or don’t).
Here are 10 secrets contractors’ insurance companies don’t want you to know — and the one best secret that can save your business and thousands of dollars.
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1. Your Policy May Not Actually Cover You on a Construction Site
Many general liability policies written for “contractors” aren’t true construction policies. They may exclude critical coverages for subcontracted work, operations above certain heights, or even exclude coverage for residential projects — the very jobs most small contractors do. If your insurer doesn’t specialize in construction, you may not be covered when you need it most.
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2. Labor Law Claims Can Destroy You — and Most Insurers Exclude Them
New York’s Labor Law 240 and 241 make contractors and property owners strictly liable for worker injuries. A single claim can cost millions. The dirty secret? Many insurance companies exclude Labor Law coverage altogether. You think you’re covered — until you’re not. The right policy must specifically include coverage for these laws.
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3. Certificates of Insurance Don’t Guarantee Coverage
Contractors often assume a certificate of insurance (COI) proves they’re protected or compliant. Wrong. A COI is not a legal contract. It’s just a piece of paper showing that coverage might exist. If the policy itself contains exclusions or lapses, that certificate is worthless in a claim or lawsuit.
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4. Subcontractors Can Void Your Coverage
If one of your subs doesn’t carry their own insurance — or if their policy lapses — your insurance company can deny claims or charge you massive back premiums. You need a policy that helps you manage and protect against uninsured subs, and an agency that audits these details for you before renewal.
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5. Many “Cheap” Policies Are Cheap for a Reason
Low premiums often mean missing coverages. Some policies exclude important items like independent contractors, completed operations, or even injury to your own employees. When a claim happens, you find out the hard way that saving a few hundred dollars cost you tens of thousands.
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6. Your Premium Audit Could Bankrupt You
At the end of the policy year, your insurer audits your payroll and subcontractor costs. If they find discrepancies — even innocent ones — you could owe thousands in “additional premium.” The worst part? Most agents don’t prepare you for this or help manage your reporting. A good broker helps you avoid nasty surprises by setting up your policy correctly from the start.
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7. Completed Operations Coverage Is Often Missing
You might finish a job today, but claims can come years later. If your policy doesn’t include completed operations coverage — or if it’s limited to “ongoing operations” — you’re exposed long after the project ends. This is one of the most misunderstood and overlooked areas of contractor insurance.
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8. Your Insurance Company Doesn’t Help You Get Work
Contractors need more than just protection — they need policies that make them more hirable. Many insurance companies don’t care whether your coverage helps you win bids. A specialized agency like BGES Group knows what general contractors and project owners look for — and sets up your coverage so you qualify for better jobs and bigger contracts.
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9. Some Insurance Companies Drop Contractors Without Warning
The market for construction insurance changes constantly. Some insurers suddenly decide they no longer want to cover construction classes — leaving you scrambling for replacement coverage at renewal. Without the right broker watching your back, your policy could non-renew at the worst possible time, shutting down your business until you find new coverage.
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10. You’re Probably Overpaying — Without Even Knowing It
Most contractors don’t shop their insurance correctly. They stick with the same agent year after year, not realizing better programs exist that offer stronger coverage for less money. Carriers that specialize in construction risk often offer more competitive rates — but you’ll never find them unless your broker knows the market inside and out.
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The One Best Secret You Should Know: Partner with BGES Group
Here’s the truth: most insurance brokers treat contractors as just another account. BGES Group isn’t one of them.
We’re New York construction insurance specialists who live and breathe this business. We know the ins and outs of Labor Law, completed operations, and subcontractor compliance. We know how to get you approved by general contractors and project owners — and how to keep your costs low while expanding your protection.
When your business insurance comes up for renewal, there’s one move that can change everything:
Let BGES Group service your policies.
Here’s what we do differently:
• ✅ Specialization: We focus on construction insurance — not restaurants, offices, or retail. That means your coverage is designed for your real-world exposures, from roofers and framers to electricians and masons.
• ✅ Labor Law Coverage: We help you secure general liability policies that include Labor Law 240/241 coverage with no height limitations — protection most agents overlook.
• ✅ Completed Operations Protection: We make sure you’re covered long after a job is done, so your company stays safe from future claims.
• ✅ Subcontractor Oversight: We help you verify and manage sub insurance so you don’t get hit with audit penalties or denied claims.
• ✅ Audit Assistance: We guide you through the audit process to prevent surprise bills and premium hikes.
• ✅ Better Job Opportunities: Our clients often find it easier to get approved by top GCs because their insurance is set up right.
• ✅ Personalized Service: When you call BGES Group, you deal directly with experienced specialists — not a call center or generic rep.
And unlike most brokers, we don’t disappear after you sign. We monitor your coverage throughout the year, make adjustments as your business grows, and advocate for you if a claim happens.
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Why Contractors Across New York Choose BGES Group
BGES Group has been protecting contractors for decades. We’ve seen every mistake, every hidden exclusion, and every insurance trap — and we’ve built our business around making sure you don’t fall into them. Our clients include small family-owned trades, large construction firms, and everything in between.
We understand your world — the bidding, the deadlines, the site challenges, and the constant pressure to do more with less. That’s why we deliver insurance solutions that keep you protected, compliant, and competitive.
When renewal time comes, don’t just sign another policy you barely understand. Get a second opinion from BGES Group. You may discover better coverage, lower premiums, and someone finally fighting for your business — not the insurance company’s bottom line.
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Contact BGES Group Today
BGES Group — Construction Insurance Specialists
📍 Serving New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut Contractors
📞 Call or Text: Gary Wallach at (914) 806-5853
📧 Email: mailto:bgesgroup@gmail.com
🌐 Website: https://www.bgesgroup.com
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Final Thought:
The real secret isn’t buried in the fine print of your insurance policy — it’s in who you trust to protect your business.
Let BGES Group show you what true coverage, service, and savings look like. When your renewal comes due, don’t just renew. Upgrade.