If you’re a New York contractor, chances are you’ve had your fair share of headaches with your insurance agency. For years, contractors have complained that their agencies don’t really understand their business, don’t pick up the phone, and don’t provide the coverage guidance they desperately need. Instead of being treated like valued clients, many contractors feel like just another number on a spreadsheet.
Why is this happening? Let’s peel back the curtain on how most agencies service their contractor accounts today—and why more and more contractors are switching to agencies that actually specialize in construction insurance, like BGES Group.
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The Factory Model of Insurance Servicing
Most large agencies operate like assembly lines. They assign account executives (AEs) to manage 150 to 200 contractor accounts at a time. That’s not an exaggeration—that’s the reality.
Think about it: no AE can properly service 200 contractors with different businesses, policies, requirements, and histories. Something is bound to fall through the cracks. And unfortunately, it’s usually the contractor who pays the price when mistakes happen.
Worse, there’s constant reshuffling. The AE you finally trained on the ins and outs of your account gets reassigned, leaves, or moves up the ladder. Suddenly, you’re stuck with someone new who doesn’t know your business, your claims history, or the contractual risks you’re juggling. It’s like starting from scratch—over and over again.
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The Biggest Complaints Contractors Have About Their Agencies
Contractors across New York share similar frustrations. Here are the most common complaints:
1. They don’t shop your insurance.
Too many agencies get comfortable with one or two insurance companies and never bother to shop your account. That means contractors often end up paying more than they should and missing out on better coverage options.
2. They wait until the last minute to give you renewal pricing.
Instead of starting the renewal process early, many agencies drag their feet and deliver pricing only days before your policy expires. That leaves you backed into a corner—with no time to explore better options or negotiate. Contractors are forced to accept whatever is on the table.
3. Coverage recommendations are nonexistent.
Agencies rarely review policies with you or point out gaps. They renew your policy as-is, leaving you exposed to risks you may not even know about.
4. They don’t understand contracts.
Contractors sign insurance and hold harmless agreements constantly. Most AEs don’t know how to review them or advise whether your coverage actually complies—leaving you at risk of breach or denial of claims.
5. They don’t answer their phones.
Calls go to voicemail. Emails sit for hours, sometimes days. Contractors need answers fast, especially when certificates or claims are involved—but responsiveness just isn’t there.
6. They’re inexperienced.
Many AEs are new to the industry and don’t know construction. They make mistakes, miss critical details, and often don’t even understand the coverage forms they’re managing.
7. High policy fees.
Some agencies tack on $2,500 or more “policy fees” on top of your premiums. That’s money contractors could be using to run their business, not padding an agency’s pockets.
8. Slow certificates.
Certificates of insurance can take hours or even days to issue. In the construction world, that kind of delay can cost you a job.
9. Policies aren’t checked.
Once an insurance company issues a policy, many agencies don’t review it. Errors, exclusions, and endorsements slip through—only to surface at the worst possible moment: claim time.
10. Poor customer service.
Contractors report AEs who are moody, arrogant, or dismissive. Instead of being treated like a valued client, you feel like a burden.
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Why Contractors Deserve Better
Contractors don’t have time to babysit their insurance agencies. They’re busy bidding jobs, managing crews, staying compliant with safety regulations, and keeping their projects on track.
Insurance should be something that gives peace of mind, not constant frustration. When an agency fails to provide knowledgeable advice, fast service, and reliable coverage, it creates risk and stress for the contractor.
In a high-risk state like New York—where Labor Law 240/241 claims can sink a business—having the right agency is critical. Contractors deserve experienced professionals who truly understand construction insurance, not just generalists juggling hundreds of accounts.
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The Alternative: BGES Group
Fortunately, there’s a better option. Contractors across New York are raving about BGES Group, a family-run agency that specializes in construction insurance.
Here’s how BGES Group is different:
• We shop your account.
We don’t get lazy with one or two carriers. We aggressively shop your insurance to find the best coverage and pricing available.
• We don’t wait until the last minute.
We start early and give you renewal pricing well before your policies expire, so you can make smart, informed decisions.
• We specialize in contractors.
Construction is all we do. We know the policies, the exposures, and the unique challenges of building in New York.
• Personalized service.
We’re not a factory. When you work with BGES Group, you deal with people who know your account inside and out. We remember your history, your contracts, and your unique needs.
• No ridiculous policy fees.
Unlike agencies that charge $2,500 to $10,000+ in fees, we keep things fair and transparent (BGES Group usually does not charge a policy fee).
• Fast certificates.
We issue certificates quickly—often within minutes, not days. We know delays cost you work, so we make it a top priority.
• Experienced professionals.
Our team actually understands construction contracts, coverage forms, and claims. We make recommendations to protect you before problems arise.
• Accessible and responsive.
We pick up the phone. We answer emails. We’re here when you need us—not when it’s convenient for us.
• Trusted by contractors.
Contractors love working with us because we’re responsive, knowledgeable, and genuinely care about their success. That’s why we’ve earned over 125 five-star Google reviews.
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The Bottom Line
Most New York contractors are stuck with insurance agencies that don’t understand them, don’t service them properly, and don’t protect them the way they should. Agencies have become impersonal, overloaded, and factory-like, leaving contractors frustrated and at risk.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. With BGES Group, contractors finally get the service, expertise, and trust they’ve been looking for. We’re the complete opposite of the typical big-agency experience—and that’s exactly why contractors are switching to us.
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Contact BGES Group Today
If you’re a contractor in New York (or in nearby states) and you’re unhappy with your current insurance agency, it’s time to make a change.
📞 Call: Gary Wallach at 914-806-5853
📧 Email: bgesgroup@gmail.com
🌐 Website: http://www.bgesgroup.com
BGES Group—the construction insurance specialists contractors trust.