Last reviewed: June 7, 2026 by Policyhold Compliance Team, Construction compliance operations
Subcontractor insurance requirements by trade for general contractors
When a trade does not fit standard categories, GCs still apply the commercial program baseline: general liability, workers compensation, commercial auto, umbrella where project size warrants, and contract-driven endorsements for additional insured and waiver of subrogation.
Use the generator to adjust limits by project value, owner tier, and state.
Typical commercial limits (Other, $1M-$5M projects)
Starting points aligned with common 2026 GC program practice. Verify against your subcontract and owner insurance exhibit.
| Coverage | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| GL per occurrence | $2M |
| Umbrella | $5M |
| General liability: general aggregate | $4M |
| General liability: products / completed ops aggregate | $4M |
| Workers compensation | Statutory limits per state law |
| Commercial auto liability | $1M combined single limit (CSL) |
Related: Subcontractor insurance requirements checklist and additional insured endorsement guide.
FAQ
- What is the commercial construction insurance baseline for subs?
- Most GC programs start at $1M/$2M GL for small work and $2M/$4M GL with $5M umbrella on commercial projects from $1M to $5M contract value, plus statutory WC and $1M auto CSL.