General Liability Insurance

General Liability Insurance is a business insurance policy that protects a contractor from financial losses caused by property damage, bodily injury, or other claims arising from their work. If something goes wrong on a job—an accident, a broken fixture, a damaged wall, a slip-and-fall—this policy helps cover the cost of repairs, medical bills, or legal defense.

In NYC home improvement work, maintaining general liability coverage is effectively mandatory. Homeowners expect it, lenders require it, and many building management companies won’t allow work to begin without a valid certificate. While DCWP doesn’t require general liability insurance to issue an HIC license, contractors almost always need it to operate, bid jobs, and protect themselves from costly claims.