If you want a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license in New York City, you need insurance. No insurance, no license — and DCWP will deny your application immediately. This guide breaks down exactly what’s required and who needs what.

New York City only cares about two policies:

1. General Liability Insurance — mandatory for everyone

2. Workers’ Compensation Insurance — mandatory if you have employees or hire laborers you control

These aren’t optional. They’re part of the written contract requirements and must be provided to the homeowner before you start work.

DCWP explicitly requires contractors to give consumers a Certificate of Workers’ Compensation Insurance or, if exempt, a Certificate of Attestation of Exemption from the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board.

General Liability Insurance (Required for All Contractors)

What It Covers

General liability (GL) covers:

• Damage to a customer’s home caused by your work

• Accidents on the job site

• Lawsuits and claims related to property damage or bodily injury

NYC Requirements

To get your HIC license approved, your GL policy must:

• Meet DCWP minimum coverage requirements

• Name NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection as the certificate holder

Recommended Coverage Amounts

DCWP doesn’t list a fixed minimum publicly, but NYC contractors typically carry:

• $1M per occurrence

• $2M aggregate

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

DCWP rules are blunt:
If you have anyone working for you who is an employee under NYS law, you must carry workers' comp.

Who Needs Workers’ Comp?

You must carry workers’ comp if:

• You have W-2 employees

• You supervise or control the work of laborers in the field

• You hire helpers who are not truly independent contractors

Who May Be Exempt?

New York State only allows exemptions if:

• You’re a sole proprietor with no employees, or

• You’re an LLC member with no employees, or

• You’re a corporation with one owner/officer and no employees

If you qualify, you can file the Certificate of Attestation of Exemption (CE-200) directly with the Workers’ Compensation Board.

DCWP requires that you provide consumers a copy of this exemption if you’re claiming it.

Warning
Misclassifying workers will get your license suspended and can trigger NYS penalties. If someone is working under your direction and using your tools, they’re probably an employee.

Disability Insurance (DBL)

Short answer:
Not part of the HIC license requirements, but New York State requires DBL if you have employees.

How Insurance Ties Into Your NYC Contracts

NYC’s model contract explicitly requires a statement that you will provide a Certificate of Workers’ Compensation Insurance before work begins.

If you can’t provide valid proof of insurance, the contract is non-compliant, which is a finable offense.

Recommended Insurance Providers

Here are the carriers and brokers that actually understand NYC home improvement requirements and know how to issue certificates correctly for DCWP.

Our Recommendation: NEXT Insurance

Fast, inexpensive, digital-first, and they generate proper COIs instantly.

Why we recommend them:

• They explicitly support New York contractor requirements

• Easy to add “NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection” as certificate holder

• Bundles GL + Workers’ Comp if you need both

• Affordable for small shops and new contractors

Other Common NYC Options

Hiscox

• Good for small shops and 1-person operations

• Known for responsive certificate processing

The Hartford

• More traditional carrier

• Strong coverage, higher premiums

• Good for contractors with employees and bigger revenue

State Farm / Allstate (via local agents)

• Mixed experience depending on the agent

• Works best for contractors who want an in-person option

NYSIF (New York State Insurance Fund) — Workers’ Comp Only

• Public carrier

• Often cheapest option for workers’ comp

• Slow paperwork, but DCWP accepts their certificates

Brokers who frequently serve NYC contractors

• CoverWallet

• Simply Business

• Cerity (workers’ comp only)

If you’re new, stick with NEXT. It avoids headaches.

How to Submit Insurance to DCWP

When applying for your HIC license:

Get your GL and Workers’ Comp (or exemption)

Make sure DCWP is listed as certificate holder

Upload certificates in your DCWP online portal

Keep copies yourself. You’ll need them for:

• Customers

• Permits

• DOB inspections

• Contract attachments

Provide insurance to every consumer

NYC law requires that you give homeowners:

• A Certificate of Workers’ Compensation Insurance
  OR

• Your Certificate of Attestation of Exemption

Your contracts must promise this — and the model contract requires it.

Bottom Line

Insurance isn’t a formality in NYC. It’s the difference between:

• Getting licensed or getting denied

• Winning homeowner trust or losing jobs

• Being protected or being sued personally

General Liability is non-negotiable.
Workers’ Comp is mandatory if you have employees.
NEXT Insurance is your best starting point.