Insurance Built for Denver Plumbers
You protect homes and businesses from water damage every day. Who's protecting your business?
One burst fitting, one slip in a crawlspace, or one fender-bender in a work van can cost a plumbing company more than a year of profit. At Denver Insurance LLC, we help plumbing contractors across the Denver metro area get the right coverage to stay licensed, win more jobs, and keep the business running when something goes wrong.
Why Plumbers Need Insurance
1. You need it to get licensed and pull permits
To work in Denver, a plumbing contractor needs both a State of Colorado plumbing contractor registration and a Denver contractor license, and both ask for proof of insurance. Denver's contractor licensing standards call for commercial general liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, along with workers' compensation coverage or a rejection of coverage if you have no employees. If your insurance lapses, your license can lapse with it.
2. Water damage claims are expensive
A failed solder joint, a loose supply line, or a water heater that wasn't installed right can flood a finished basement, ruin flooring and drywall, and lead to mold claims weeks after you've left the job. General liability, including completed operations coverage, helps pay for property damage and legal defense when a customer says your work caused the loss.
3. Colorado requires workers' comp once you have one employee
In Colorado, an employer generally has to carry workers' compensation as soon as it has one employee, and that includes part-time workers and family members. Plumbing is physical work: lifting, digging, tight spaces, ladders, and power tools. Workers' comp pays for medical bills and lost wages after a job injury and protects your business from being sued over it. Going without coverage can mean fines of up to $500 for every day you're uninsured, an order to shut down, and paying the injured worker's whole claim yourself.
4. Your truck is your rolling shop
Personal auto policies often won't cover a vehicle that's used mainly for business. Commercial auto covers your work vans and trucks, your drivers, and the liability that comes with driving between jobs on I-25, I-70, and busy Denver streets every day.
5. Your tools and equipment are your income
Pipe threaders, drain machines, sewer cameras, jetters, and press tools are expensive and easy to steal from a job site or a truck. Inland marine (tools and equipment) coverage helps you replace them fast so you can get back to work.
6. General contractors and property managers will ask for it
Commercial clients, builders, HOAs, and property managers usually want a certificate of insurance before you start a job. Many also ask to be named as an additional insured or for a waiver of subrogation. Having the right coverage in place, and an agent who can turn certificates around quickly, helps you win bids and get paid.
7. One big claim shouldn't end your business
A serious injury or a large property loss can go past your primary policy limits. Umbrella or excess liability adds another layer of protection over your general liability, auto, and employer's liability for a relatively small added cost.
Coverage Plumbers Commonly Carry
| Coverage | What It Does |
|---|---|
| General Liability | Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage from your operations and completed work, plus legal defense. |
| Workers' Compensation | Pays medical bills and lost wages for employees hurt on the job. Required in Colorado for most employers. |
| Commercial Auto | Covers work vans and trucks, drivers, and auto liability. |
| Tools & Equipment (Inland Marine) | Covers tools, machinery, and materials on the job, in your truck, or in transit. |
| Business Owner's Policy (BOP) | Combines general liability and business property coverage in one package for eligible smaller shops. |
| Umbrella / Excess Liability | Adds higher limits above your primary liability policies. |
| Contractor License & Permit Bonds | Meets bonding requirements some municipalities or customers may have. |
Why Work With Denver Insurance LLC
- Local: We're based in Denver and know the licensing and certificate requirements contractors face here.
- Independent: We shop several carriers to find coverage that fits your trade, whether you do residential service and repair, remodels, or commercial work.
- Fast certificates: Need a COI for a GC or property manager today? We're on it.
- One agent for everything: Liability, workers' comp, auto, tools, and bonds, all handled by one team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need insurance to get a plumbing contractor license in Denver?
A: Yes. Denver's contractor licensing standards require commercial general liability of at least $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, plus workers' compensation or a rejection of coverage if you have no employees. The State of Colorado plumbing contractor registration also asks for proof of liability insurance and workers' comp (or a waiver). We can send your certificate straight to the licensing office.
Q: I'm a one-person operation. Do I still need workers' comp?
A: If you have no employees, a sole proprietor, corporate officer, or LLC member may be able to reject coverage by filing the right form with the state. Once you hire even one employee, including part-time help or a family member, Colorado generally requires coverage. Keep in mind that health insurance may not cover an injury that happens at work, so many owners choose to cover themselves anyway.
Q: What's the difference between general liability and workers' comp?
A: General liability covers injuries and property damage to other people, like customers, the public, and their property. Workers' comp covers your employees when they're hurt on the job.
Q: If a pipe I installed leaks six months later and floods a customer's home, am I covered?
A: That's what completed operations coverage, part of most general liability policies, is designed for. It responds to property damage or injury that comes from work you've already finished. Coverage depends on your policy's terms and exclusions, so we'll go over how your policy handles this. Note that most policies don't pay to redo your own faulty work, but they can cover the damage it causes.
Q: Does general liability cover mold?
A: Many general liability policies limit or exclude mold, fungi, and bacteria. Because water damage and mold go hand in hand in plumbing, ask us to review the mold wording on your policy and whether added coverage is available.
Q: Can I use my personal auto policy for my work truck?
A: Usually not if the vehicle is titled to the business, used mainly for work, carries tools and equipment, or is driven by employees. A personal policy may deny a claim that comes from business use. Commercial auto is built for these vehicles.
Q: Are my tools covered if they're stolen out of my van?
A: Usually not under a commercial auto policy or a basic general liability policy. You need tools and equipment (inland marine) coverage. Ask about coverage for tools on job sites, in vehicles, and in storage.
Q: What is a certificate of insurance (COI), and how fast can I get one?
A: A COI is a one-page summary that proves you carry insurance. GCs, property managers, and licensing offices ask for them. Once your policy is in force, we can usually turn around standard certificates quickly. Just send us the holder's name and any special requirements.
Q: A GC wants to be an "additional insured" and asked for a "waiver of subrogation." What does that mean?
A: Being an additional insured gives the GC protection under your liability policy for claims that come from your work. A waiver of subrogation means your insurer agrees not to try to recover what it paid from the GC. Both are common contract requirements and usually need an endorsement on your policy. Send us the contract and we'll make sure you comply.
Q: Do I need my subcontractors to carry their own insurance?
A: Yes, you should. If an uninsured sub gets hurt or causes damage, your policies may be expected to respond, and your workers' comp premium at audit may go up. Always collect current certificates from every sub before they start work.
Q: How much does plumbing contractor insurance cost?
A: It depends on your revenue, payroll, number of employees, vehicles, type of work (residential service vs. new construction vs. commercial), years in business, and claims history. We'll quote you with several carriers so you can compare price and coverage side by side.
Q: What is a premium audit?
A: General liability and workers' comp premiums are often based on estimated payroll or revenue. At the end of the policy term, the carrier checks your actual numbers and adjusts the premium up or down. Keeping clean payroll records and certificates for your subs helps avoid surprises.
Q: Does it matter if I do new construction, underground, or commercial work?
A: Yes. Carriers price and underwrite new construction, excavation or deep underground work, medical gas lines, and large commercial jobs differently than residential service and repair. Some carriers won't write them at all. Tell us exactly what you do so your policy is classified correctly and covers the work you actually perform.
Q: Do I need an umbrella policy?
A: If you work on commercial projects, have several vehicles on the road, or your contracts require limits higher than $1M/$2M, an umbrella is a cost-effective way to get there.
Q: Can I bundle my coverage?
A: Often, yes. Many carriers offer package policies or multi-policy discounts when you place liability, auto, and workers' comp together.
Ready to Protect Your Plumbing Business?
Don't leave your business vulnerable to unexpected risks. As Denver continues to grow, opportunities for plumbing contractors are expanding—but so are the potential liabilities. Let us help you find comprehensive, affordable insurance coverage tailored to your specific needs.
Contact Denver Insurance LLC today to discuss your plumber contractor insurance needs. We specialize in protecting Colorado contractors and understand the unique challenges you face. Call our office, or click over to our Quotes page to submit some basic information to get the process started. Either way, we'll make the process simple!
