In today’s competitive New York construction market, subcontractors face more insurance requirements than ever before. Whether you’re a drywall installer, electrician, plumber, or general labor crew, working on projects with reputable general contractors and property owners means your insurance policies must meet strict coverage standards. Failing to comply could mean losing out on lucrative contracts or being removed from job sites.
In this article, we’ll break down the essential insurance coverages and limits that New York subcontractors should have, explain why they matter, and show how BGES Group is helping contractors across the Tri-State area secure the protection they need to grow their businesses.
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📋 The Critical Insurance Coverages and Limits Every New York Subcontractor Needs
When a general contractor sends you their insurance requirements, it can feel like reading a foreign language. But underneath the legal wording, there are clear, essential coverages they expect you to carry. Here’s a breakdown of the must-haves:
1️⃣ Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance
This is the foundation of your insurance program. It protects your business against third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury arising from your operations.
Typical Requirement:
• $1,000,000 per occurrence
• $2,000,000 general aggregate
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2️⃣ Excess or Umbrella Liability Insurance
Since the risks on New York construction sites are high, especially with Labor Law 240 and 241 claims (commonly known as “Scaffold Law”), general contractors require subcontractors to carry significant excess liability.
Typical Requirement:
• $5,000,000 per occurrence
This coverage sits above your CGL, Auto, and Employers Liability limits and provides added protection for large claims.
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3️⃣ Additional Insured Endorsement
Most general contractors require they, along with the project owner and any upstream parties, be listed as Additional Insureds on your CGL, Excess, and Products & Completed Operations policies.
This ensures that if a claim arises from your work, your policy will defend and indemnify them as well.
What to Confirm:
• Blanket Additional Insured endorsement in place
• Coverage applies to ongoing and completed operations
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4️⃣ Waiver of Subrogation
A Waiver of Subrogation prevents your insurance company from going after the general contractor or property owner for reimbursement after a claim payout.
What to Confirm:
• Blanket Waiver of Subrogation on both CGL and Excess policies
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5️⃣ Primary and Non-Contributory Wording
Your insurance policies must respond before any other insurance carried by the general contractor or owner. This is achieved by including Primary and Non-Contributory language in your policies.
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6️⃣ Labor Law / Action Over Coverage
New York’s infamous Labor Law 240 and 241 makes owners and general contractors absolutely liable for certain injuries sustained by workers on job sites. Many policies exclude coverage for employee injury claims involving third parties (known as “Action Over” claims).
What to Confirm:
• No employee injury exclusion
• Labor Law coverage included
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7️⃣ Contractual Liability Coverage
This covers the liability you assume in contracts — like your agreement to indemnify and hold harmless the general contractor and property owner.
What to Confirm:
• Contractual Liability coverage is included in your CGL
• Provide the policy page confirming it
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8️⃣ Insurance and Hold Harmless Agreement
You must have a written, signed agreement with the general contractor that clearly spells out your insurance responsibilities and hold harmless obligations.
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9️⃣ Products and Completed Operations Coverage
After a project wraps, your liability exposure doesn’t end. Most general contractors require that their Additional Insured status extends to your Products & Completed Operations coverage.
What to Confirm:
• All upstream parties listed as Additional Insureds on Completed Operations coverage
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🔟 New York Workers’ Compensation Insurance
New York law requires all contractors to carry Workers’ Compensation coverage for their employees — and most GCs insist on reviewing your policy to confirm it covers New York operations.
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🔧 How BGES Group is Helping New York Subcontractors Stay Compliant and Competitive
Navigating these insurance requirements can be overwhelming, but this is where BGES Group steps in. For over 44 years, BGES Group has specialized in working with New York contractors to secure the right insurance programs to keep them compliant, protected, and competitive.
They understand the fast-paced, high-risk environment of New York construction. That’s why BGES Group offers:
✅ Quick, accurate certificates to get you on job sites faster
✅ Liability policies that meet or exceed GC and owner requirements
✅ Labor Law / Action Over coverage options without employee injury exclusions
✅ Access to programs with Primary & Non-Contributory and Waiver of Subrogation endorsements
✅ New York Workers’ Comp policies, including access to special Safety Group Plans for those who qualify
Whether you’re looking to replace your current policy, need help understanding insurance requirements, or want to gain access to better coverage options and pricing — BGES Group is ready to help.
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📞 Contact BGES Group Today
If you’re a New York subcontractor looking for better coverage, lower rates, and faster, friendlier service — call Gary Wallach at BGES Group today.
Contact Info:
📱 914-806-5853 – Gary Wallach
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Final Thought
Don’t let insurance requirements hold you back from landing bigger, better projects. With the right coverage in place — and a partner like BGES Group in your corner — you can bid jobs with confidence, knowing you’re protected and compliant.
Let BGES Group take the headaches out of insurance, so you can focus on what you do best: building New York.