Ontario Contractor Insurance
As a contractor in Ontario, your work involves more than skilled craftsmanship – it means managing jobsite hazards, liabilities, and project delays. Our contractor insurance helps you stay protected, so you can focus on your craft, not on your coverage.
Custom contractor insurance for Ontario builders and trades
If you’re a contractor in Ontario, protecting your livelihood is critical. Whether you’re a solo tradesperson, managing crews on multiple sites, or running a large contracting company, Acera Insurance offers specialized contractor insurance solutions designed around your risks, projects, and budget.
How our Ontario contractor insurance brokers support you:
- Risk Identification – We assess your trade, scope of work, and project types to determine the right coverage.
- Competitive Quotes – By comparing multiple insurers, we help you secure cost-effective protection without sacrificing quality.
- Expert Guidance – As your contracting business grows and evolves, we’ll adjust your coverage to keep pace.
As an independent, employee-owned brokerage, Acera Insurance works for you, not the insurance companies. With access to a wide network of providers, we deliver flexible, competitive insurance solutions for Ontario contractors of every size and specialty.
Your guide to comprehensive contractor insurance in Ontario
Contractors today face many obstacles in their business. Trade specific insurance policies not only protect your business from financial losses but provide further opportunities for business. Clients often require their contractors to carry insurance to protect themselves should a contractor fail to perform and to guarantee contracting materials. The specific type of work you perform impacts your required coverages.
Common Ontario contractor insurance coverages include:
- Property Coverage – Can be broken down into more specific coverages however in general will insure property and contents that you own. Examples can be tools, equipment, leased/rented equipment, etc.
- Business Interruption – Protects your business from financial instability by covering lost income in the event of a covered loss.
- Commercial General Liability – Protects you against third party claims of property damage or bodily injury that may occur at a job site or your own location.
- Products & Completed Operations Liability – Protects you against third party claims of property damage or bodily injury that may occur after you have already completed your project or service.
- Installation Floater – Protects the materials used during installation or construction.
Every Ontario contractor’s risks are different – whether you’re in construction, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or another trade. An Acera Insurance broker will customize a policy that balances cost with protection so you’re covered where it matters most.
Who needs contractor’s insurance in Ontario?
All contractors or businesses that provide contracting services. From sole proprietors to national construction companies all contractors should protect their business with contractors insurance.
Here is a list of groups who commonly require contractor’s insurance in Ontario:
- General Contractors
- Residential Home Builders
- Commercial Contractors
- Specialty Trade Contractors
- Independent Contractors
- Concrete Contractors
- Excavation Contractors
- Demolition Contractors
- Structural Steel Contractors
- Heavy Equipment Operators
If your work involves construction sites, client properties, subcontractors, or specialized tools and vehicles, contractor insurance is vital to ensuring the success of your business. Connect with an Ontario insurance broker to quickly secure the coverage you need.
Ontario contractor’s insurance claim examples
Property damage
A thief steals $10,000 worth of tools from your trailer at a jobsite.
Result: Your tool floater coverage provides coverage for the lost tools so you can continue to work without delays.
Installation floater coverage
You are hired to frame houses on a housing development project. Overnight a fire burns the materials left on the jobsite resulting in $100,000 in lost materials.
Result: Your installation floater coverage reimburses the cost of the lost materials so that you can resume work.
Product liability
As a plumber you are hired to fix some broken pipes in a client’s condo. After fixing the pipes your client discovers that the pipe has been leaking and has damaged their flooring and leaked to the unit below resulting in $50,000 in damages.
Result: Customer sues you for property damage and your product liability coverage pays for the damages and legal expenses.
What factors influence contractor insurance rates in Ontario?
Contractor insurance premiums in Ontario are not one-size-fits-all. Different insurers use a variety of criteria to assess your risk and calculate pricing. Understanding these factors can help you anticipate costs and find ways to keep them competitive.
Key factors that affect contractor insurance costs in Ontario
- Coverage Limits & Policy Options
The broader the coverage and the higher the policy limits, the more your insurance will cost. Opting for additional protections like pollution liability, professional liability, or higher equipment coverage will increase premiums. - Type of Work / Trade
Every trade comes with its own level of risk. For example, electricians, roofers, and demolition contractors often face higher premiums than painters or flooring specialists due to the increased likelihood of accidents or costly claims. - Number of Employees & Subcontractors
More workers mean more opportunities for mistakes, accidents, or liability. Insurers will factor in whether you directly employ staff, use subcontractors, or both. - Experience, Credentials & Certifications
Insurers reward experience. Contractors with many years in the field, proper training, tickets, or trade certifications may qualify for lower rates, since expertise usually translates into fewer errors and safer job sites. - Revenue & Project Values
The higher your annual revenue or the value of your typical contracts, the greater the potential damages in the event of a claim. Larger businesses often require higher liability limits, which increases premiums. - Tools, Equipment & Materials
Contractors who rely on expensive tools, vehicles, or specialized equipment may face higher costs, as insurers need to account for theft or damage risks. - Job Site Locations & Scope
Working in busy urban centres like Toronto or Ottawa may cost more than projects in smaller towns due to higher claim frequency, theft risk, or local bylaws. Similarly, high-rise projects or hazardous job sites increase premiums compared to residential builds. - Claims & Insurance History
A clean claims record helps lower costs, while frequent or large claims signal higher risk and result in higher premiums. Gaps in prior insurance coverage can also raise red flags for insurers.
Why choose Acera for contractor insurance coverage?
Our dedicated Ontario team is here to build your policy and provide hands-on claims support.
Construction-Focused Expertise
Our advisors have decades of experience working with Ontario contractors across all trades – from independent electricians and plumbers to general contractors managing multi-million-dollar projects. We understand the realities of construction work, including complex contracts, strict timelines, and evolving safety requirements. That expertise ensures your insurance coverage is practical, relevant, and built to protect your business
Strong Industry Ties
Acera Insurance stays connected to Ontario’s construction community by actively engaging with local and national associations. These connections keep us current on regulatory updates, market trends, and new risk exposures. We use this knowledge to design insurance solutions that reflect the challenges contractors face today while anticipating those you’ll face tomorrow.
Claims Support You Can Rely On
When an unexpected loss threatens your business, you need more than just a policy – you need an advocate. Our in-house claims team works directly with you to ensure your claim is handled quickly, fairly, and with as little disruption as possible. From stolen tools to project delays, we’re here to protect your bottom line so you can keep building with confidence.
How Acera Insurance simplifies insurance for Ontario contractors
For more than 60 years, Acera Insurance has been supporting Ontario’s contractors with expert guidance, cost-effective premiums, and exceptional customer service.
We start by taking the time to learn more about your projects – this help us fully assess your unique risks. Next, we do the heavy lifting for you. Our construction insurance brokers utilize their industry knowledge and connections to build you a contractor insurance package that is tailored to your needs and budget. During the process, we know you might have questions – our team is happy to help clarify and explain some of the more technical details. Our goal is to not only find you the best coverage options for your needs, but to make sure you feel confident and well-informed when it comes to your policy. Plus, we’ve always got your back in the event of an insurance claim.
Whether you’re an independent contractor, a specialty trade, or a general contractor managing multiple crews, Acera Insurance is the trusted partner Ontario contractors frequently depend on to keep their businesses properly protected from the unexpected.
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