Insurance for excavation and site work contractors.
Excavation is one of the riskier trades to insure: buried utilities, heavy equipment and loaded dump trucks. Not every carrier writes it, and some policies quietly exclude the work you do most. We find carriers that cover excavation and walk you through the exclusions.
- Carriers that write excavation work
- Heavy equipment and dump truck coverage
- General liability and L&I bonds together
What excavation contractor insurance covers, in plain English
Coverage, limits and exclusions vary by carrier and policy. Your policy documents are what decide a claim, and we walk you through them before you buy.
Call 811 before you dig
Washington's dig law requires a locate request through 811 at least two business days before you excavate. Damaging a utility without a locate can make you liable for the repair, and carriers ask about your locate practices.
Underground, collapse and explosion exclusions
Some general liability policies exclude underground damage, collapse or blasting, sometimes called XCU exclusions. On excavation work that can remove the coverage you need most, so we check the wording before you buy.
Damage to other people's property
General liability covers injury to others and damage to their property, like a cut gas line, a cracked foundation next door or a damaged driveway.
Excavators, loaders and skid steers
Heavy equipment isn't covered by GL or auto. A contractor's equipment policy covers theft and damage on the job and in transit, including rented equipment if you add it.
Dump trucks and lowboys
Dump trucks and trucks hauling equipment need commercial auto, often with higher limits. Haul across state lines and you may need federal filings.
Contaminated soil and spills
GL usually excludes pollution. Contractor's pollution liability covers things like a fuel spill or digging into contaminated soil, and some contracts require it.
What L&I requires
General liability of at least $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or a $250,000 combined single limit, plus a contractor bond of $15,000 or $30,000 depending on your category.
Is this you?
- Excavation and grading contractors
- Site prep and land clearing
- Utility, trenching and side sewer work
- Septic and drainage installers
- Owner-operators with an excavator or skid steer
Why Rhino
- Carriers that write excavation work
- Heavy equipment and dump truck coverage
- General liability and L&I bonds together
- Help in English, Russian and Ukrainian
Have this ready
- UBI and L&I registration number
- The work you do: grading, trenching, utilities, septic, demolition
- Annual revenue, payroll and subcontractor costs
- Your equipment list with values, and your trucks
Three steps, one agent
- 1
Tell us what you need
Use the form, call or text. It takes a couple of minutes.
- 2
We shop several carriers
You see real prices side by side, not one company's offer.
- 3
You're covered
Pick a plan and we handle the paperwork, ID cards and certificates.
Excavation questions
Does general liability cover a utility line I hit?
Often yes, if your policy doesn't exclude underground damage and you followed the dig law. Some excavation policies carry exclusions that remove this coverage, so we check before you buy.
What is an XCU exclusion?
An exclusion for explosion, collapse and underground damage. On an excavation policy it can remove the coverage you need most. Ask us to confirm your policy doesn't have one, or that the coverage is added back.
Is my excavator covered if it's stolen from the job site?
Not under general liability or commercial auto. You need a contractor's equipment policy, also called inland marine.
Do I need pollution coverage?
If you dig in soil that could be contaminated, handle fuel on site or a contract requires it, yes. Most GL policies exclude pollution.
Do my dump trucks need commercial auto?
Yes. Trucks used for hauling need commercial auto, and contracts often ask for $1 million or more. See commercial auto.
Ready when you are.
Talk to a licensed agent at (800) 700-9181, Mon–Fri 9am–6pm PT.