HVAC Contractor Insurance in Connecticut

What an HVAC contractor typically needs

General liability with completed operations

General liability covers injury and property damage you cause on the job. For HVAC, the bigger exposure is often after you leave: a furnace you installed that fails, a gas line that leaks, a condensate line that floods a finished basement. That is completed operations coverage, and limits should match what your GCs and commercial customers require, usually $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate. More on our general liability page.

Workers’ compensation

Connecticut requires workers’ comp as soon as you have an employee. HVAC installation, service and repair is rated under class code 5537, and premium follows payroll, so getting the classification and payroll estimate right up front avoids a surprise at audit. See workers’ compensation.

Pollution liability

Standard general liability policies exclude most pollution. For HVAC contractors that matters: a refrigerant release, an oil line leak, or mold that follows a ductwork or condensate problem can all fall outside a GL policy. Contractors pollution liability fills that gap and often costs less than people expect.

Tools, equipment and materials

Gauges, recovery machines, vacuum pumps, ladders and the stock on your trucks need tools and equipment coverage. An installation floater covers units and materials in transit or staged at the job before they are installed, which matters when a single condenser is worth thousands.

Commercial auto and umbrella

Service vans and box trucks need commercial auto, and employees running errands in their own cars need hired and non-owned auto. An umbrella over general liability, auto and employer’s liability is how most HVAC shops reach the higher limits commercial jobs require.

What changes your HVAC insurance price

• Residential versus commercial work, and the split between service calls and new installations.
• Gas, oil and boiler work, rooftop and crane work, and any refrigeration or industrial jobs.
• Payroll, revenue, and how many vehicles and drivers you have.
• Claims history and how long you have been in business.
• Any work outside HVAC, like plumbing, electrical or snow plowing in the winter.

Tell us everything you do up front. A policy that leaves out part of your work is the most common reason a claim gets denied.

Who this page is for

The HVAC owner whose renewal jumped and wants it shopped. The technician going out on their own who needs a policy and a certificate before the first job. The growing shop adding vans and installers that needs workers’ comp and an umbrella that keep up. Anywhere in Connecticut, Brandon is a phone call away.

HVAC insurance questions

How much does HVAC insurance cost in Connecticut?

It depends on payroll, revenue, the mix of residential and commercial work, any gas, oil or refrigeration work, your vehicles and your claims history. Workers’ comp is usually the largest piece once you have employees. The fastest way to a real number is a fifteen-minute call with last year’s figures.

Do HVAC contractors need pollution coverage?

Most general liability policies exclude pollution, which can include refrigerant releases, oil leaks and mold. If you do oil or refrigeration work, or your contracts call for it, contractors pollution liability is worth adding.

Do I need workers’ comp if it is just me?

Connecticut does not require a sole proprietor with no employees to cover themselves, but many general contractors will not let you on a job without it. Once you hire anyone, it is required.

How fast can I get a certificate of insurance?

Usually the same day once the policy is in force. Send us the certificate holder’s name and any additional insured or waiver of subrogation wording from the contract.