Three policies, three completely different jobs. Contractors who don't know which does what end up either over-buying — or, worse, finding a gap after a claim.
Covers injury or property damage you cause to other people. You put a ladder through a client's window; a passerby trips over your materials. GL pays their claim. It does not cover your own workers or your own vehicles.
Covers your employees when they're hurt on the job — medical bills and lost wages, regardless of fault. Arkansas generally requires it once you reach three or more employees — construction is stricter, and many contractors need it from the first employee. Minnesota has no threshold at all. The subcontractor rules catch people at audit, and a contract can require coverage regardless of headcount. See our workers' comp article. GL will not pay an employee injury.
Covers vehicles used for the business. Personal auto policies often exclude or limit business use, and a work truck in an accident can get a personal claim denied. If the truck is titled to the business or used for work daily, it belongs on commercial auto.
An employee hurt in the work truck is workers' comp (the injury) plus commercial auto (the vehicle). A client hurt on your site is GL. Your own tools stolen? None of these — that's inland marine. Knowing the boundaries is the whole point. See our contractor insurance page.
One caution: a "business owner's policy" can bundle GL with property, but comp and auto are almost always separate. Don't assume a BOP covers everything.
Tell us your trade and crew size and we'll map the coverage — and quote the gaps.
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