Contractors Workers' Compensation Readiness
Contractors Workers' Compensation, Documented and Ready for Review
We help contractors and trades organize payroll records, class code detail, experience modification worksheets, subcontractor certificates, and loss history — so a licensed insurance professional can conduct a complete review.
Office hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Fri 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
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Start with a quick intake
There is no cost or obligation. A Candor representative will follow up.
Workers' compensation premiums for contractors are built from payroll by class code, adjusted by an experience modification, and then checked by an audit after the policy year. When payroll is not split correctly by trade, or subcontractor certificates are missing, the audit can produce a large additional premium.
Organizing payroll, job types, subcontractor certificates and loss history before a review gives a licensed producer what carriers need to quote accurately, and helps avoid surprises at audit.
How we help
Readiness first - placement by licensed professionals
We help you organize what you have and understand what may be needed. Coverage advice and policy placement are handled by licensed insurance professionals.
Who we help
- General contractors
- Subcontractors and specialty trades
- Artisan trades — electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, finishing
- Roofing, framing, masonry, and concrete operations
- Contractors with fluctuating seasonal payroll
- Contractors who rely heavily on subcontracted labor
- Out-of-state contractors taking on work in New York, New Jersey, or Maryland
Common situations
- Payroll has never been broken out by class code
- The experience modification worksheet has not been reviewed against actual claim detail
- General contractors are requesting certificates with specific language that cannot be produced quickly
- Subcontractor certificates are missing, expired, or were never collected
- An audit produced an unexpected result and the supporting records were incomplete
- Work has expanded into new trades or new states without the file being updated
- Job types and the percentage of work performed at height, or on new construction versus service, have never been documented
Coverage
Coverages a producer commonly reviews
Every operation is different. These are the coverages typically discussed for this kind of risk; a licensed producer will recommend what fits yours.
Workers' compensation
Medical care and lost wages for employees injured on the job, plus employer's liability coverage. Required for employers in New York, New Jersey and Maryland.
New York disability and Paid Family Leave
New York employers must also carry disability benefits and Paid Family Leave coverage for eligible employees.
General liability
Third-party injury and property damage from your work, including completed operations.
Commercial auto
Trucks, vans and equipment trailers used for the business.
Inland marine / contractor's equipment
Tools and equipment at job sites and in transit.
Umbrella liability
Additional limits often required by general contractors and project owners.
Before you call
What shapes your coverage
Class codes and payroll
Each trade carries its own rate. Payroll should be split by class code and by state, with clear records for employees who work in more than one trade. Lumping payroll into the highest-rated class is a common, costly mistake.
Experience modification
Your experience mod compares your claims to others in your trades. New York mods are calculated by the New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board, New Jersey by the NJ Compensation Rating & Inspection Bureau, and Maryland by NCCI. Review the worksheet against your actual claims.
Subcontractors
At audit, payroll paid to uninsured subcontractors can be added to your own. Collect a current certificate, or a valid exemption, from every subcontractor before work starts. In New York, sole proprietors with no employees can provide a CE-200 exemption certificate.
New York projects
Building permits in New York generally require proof of workers' compensation and disability coverage, and the Scaffold Law makes work at height a major liability concern. Document the share of your work done at height, on new construction, and on service calls.
Get Ready
Documents we help you gather
How It Works
A clear path from inquiry to coverage
Tell us about your situation
Share the basics through the short intake form.
We organize the details
We help assemble the documents a licensed professional will need.
Connect with a producer
A licensed insurance professional reviews your needs and handles placement.
Ongoing support
We help keep certificates and renewals organized over time.
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need workers' compensation if I only use subcontractors?
Possibly. If a subcontractor is uninsured, an auditor may treat its workers as yours and charge premium for them. Collect a current certificate or valid exemption from every subcontractor.
What is an experience modification factor?
A number that compares your workers' compensation claims to others in the same trades. A mod below 1.0 lowers your premium and above 1.0 raises it. It is calculated by your state's rating bureau.
Why did my workers' comp audit come back so high?
Common reasons include payroll assigned to the wrong class code, payroll not split for employees who work in several trades, and payments to uninsured subcontractors being added to your payroll.
What extra coverage do New York employers need?
In addition to workers' compensation, New York employers must provide disability benefits and Paid Family Leave coverage for eligible employees.
Can a sole proprietor be exempt from workers' compensation in New York?
A sole proprietor with no employees may be able to obtain a CE-200 exemption certificate from the Workers' Compensation Board. General contractors and permit offices often require it as proof.
Related programs
Other Candor programs
Talk It Through
Prefer to talk it through?
Speak with Candor Insurance Brokerage Inc today.