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Bellevue Contractors: Don’t Break Ground Without the Right Insurance Coverage
Let’s talk about contractors in Bellevue.
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Contractors Insurance in Kirkland, WA
To register as a contractor in Washington you need a surety bond ($30,000 for general contractors, $15,000 for specialty contractors) and general liability insurance of at least $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage (or a $250,000 combined single limit). Most general contractors and clients then require $1,000,000 per occurrence. We set up the bond, the liability policy, tools coverage and commercial auto together, and issue certificates for your jobs quickly.
Updated for 2026 · Kirkland, WA · Independent agency
What Washington L&I requires to register
Washington's contractor registration law sets two insurance requirements. First, a contractor bond: $30,000 for general contractors and $15,000 for specialty contractors, the amounts in effect since July 1, 2024 under RCW 18.27.040. Second, general liability insurance with at least $200,000 in public liability and $50,000 in property damage coverage, or a $250,000 combined single limit, under RCW 18.27.050. Both must be in force and on file with the Department of Labor & Industries for the registration to be active, and lapses show up on the public contractor lookup that customers and general contractors check before hiring. Electricians and plumbers hold separate trade licenses with their own requirements, and we work with those too.
The bond and the liability policy do different jobs
The bond protects your customers and the state, not you. If you fail to finish a job or to pay for labor and materials, a claim can be paid from the bond, and you must repay the surety. The bond is priced as a small percentage of its face amount, based mainly on credit, and is renewed annually. General liability protects you: when your work injures a person or damages property that is not yours, the policy pays defense costs and settlements up to its limits. It does not cover your own tools, your vehicles or your employees' injuries, and faulty workmanship itself is usually excluded, while the damage that results from it is covered.
Limits that jobs usually require
The L&I minimum keeps your registration active, but it rarely gets you onto a real job. General contractors, property managers, HOAs and commercial clients typically require $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, plus an additional-insured endorsement naming them, a waiver of subrogation and sometimes primary-and-noncontributory wording. Carrying only the minimum can quietly disqualify you from larger contracts. An inland marine policy covers tools and equipment in your truck, on site or in storage; commercial auto covers the trucks themselves; builder's risk covers a structure under construction; and an umbrella lifts limits when a contract asks for more than your base policy. Workers' compensation in Washington is purchased through L&I, and we add stop-gap employer's liability to your policy, which most liability policies do not include by default.
Subcontractors and the audit
General liability policies are audited: at the end of the year the carrier compares the payroll and receipts you estimated with what actually happened. If you hired subcontractors who could not show their own certificates of insurance, their payroll is charged to your policy as if they were employees, often the single biggest surprise on an audit bill. Collect a certificate from every sub before they start, keep it on file and make sure it names you as additional insured. We give clients a one-page routine for this and answer the audit questions with you when the carrier's form arrives.
Trades we insure and how pricing works
General contractors and remodelers, framers, roofers, siding and window installers, painters, drywall and flooring installers, landscapers and hardscape crews, concrete, excavation, electricians, plumbers, HVAC, handyman services, cleaning and restoration companies. Carriers price by trade class, annual gross receipts, payroll, the share of work you subcontract, the mix of residential and commercial and of new construction versus remodeling, years in business and claims history. Some trades (roofing, work above certain heights, new-home construction) have fewer markets and higher rates; we know which carriers still write them in Washington and quote each of them for you.
Certificates, renewals and keeping the registration active
Once your policy is bound, certificates of insurance and additional-insured endorsements are usually issued the same business day; if you are starting a job tomorrow, say so and we prioritize it. We track your bond and policy expirations against your L&I registration so a missed renewal does not knock you off the contractor lookup mid-project. When a job requires higher limits or specific wording, we read the contract and tell you exactly what needs to change and what it costs before you sign.
What we need to quote you
Your UBI and contractor registration numbers (or the trade you plan to register), a description of the work you do, estimated annual gross receipts and payroll, how much work you subcontract, the vehicles and equipment you use, years in business and any prior insurance or claims. Most of our contractor clients keep the bond, the liability policy, the truck insurance and their personal policies with us, and several of our agents speak Russian. Absolute Insurance Solutions has written contractors insurance from Kirkland since 2000.
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Google reviews
Kirkland clients on their contractors coverage.
Worked with Boris to renew my liability insurance for my contracting business, and he also helped set up my bond. I appreciated the fast, professional service and smooth process. Highly recommend their team!
Ron L. I’ve been a contractor for many years and worked with numerous insurance brokers, but what I found with Absolute is truly amazing. Now I can have all my policies under one roof, and the team is incredibly responsive. They take the time to explain everything clearly, and I’m so happy I found them. …
Norma M. I have been doing business with Absolute Insurance for over a decade. When I first launched my general contracting company, they’ve helped me with filing of liability insurance and surety bond at the best rate in town and I shopped around plenty… I’ve been so happy with the customer service and pricing since then,… …
Denis B.
FAQ
Contractors Insurance questions, answered.
What Kirkland and Eastside clients ask us most often about contractors insurance.
What insurance does L&I require to register as a contractor in Washington?
Washington Labor & Industries requires a contractor bond ($30,000 for general contractors and $15,000 for specialty contractors as of July 1, 2024, RCW 18.27.040) plus general liability insurance of at least $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or a $250,000 combined single limit (RCW 18.27.050). We set up both.
What's the difference between a contractor bond and liability insurance?
The bond protects your customers and the state: if you fail to complete work or pay for labor and materials, a claim can be paid from the bond, and you must repay the surety. Liability insurance protects you: it pays when your work injures someone or damages property. Registration requires both.
Is the L&I minimum enough coverage?
Rarely. Most general contractors, property managers and commercial clients require $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, plus an additional-insured endorsement. Carrying only the registration minimum can keep you off larger jobs.
Does general liability cover my tools and my truck?
No. Tools and equipment are covered by an inland marine (contractor's equipment) policy, and vehicles used for work need commercial auto. We package all three so nothing is left out.
How is contractors insurance priced?
By trade class, annual gross receipts, payroll, the share of work subcontracted, whether you do residential or commercial and new construction versus remodeling, years in business and claims history. Accurate receipts and payroll figures keep the year-end audit clean.
Do I need to collect certificates from my subcontractors?
Yes. If a sub has no insurance, their work and their payroll can be charged to your policy at audit. We help you set up a simple certificate-tracking routine and explain what to ask for.
Which trades do you insure?
General contractors, remodelers, framers, roofers, painters, drywall, flooring, landscapers, concrete, electricians, plumbers, HVAC, handymen and cleaning companies, among others. Some trades have limited markets, so tell us exactly what you do.
How fast can I get a certificate for a job?
Once your policy is bound, certificates and additional-insured endorsements are usually issued the same business day. If you are starting a job or renewing your registration on a deadline, call us and say so.
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Get a contractors quote from a Kirkland agent.
Call us or fill in the quote form. A local agent will come back with prices from several carriers.