Commercial Umbrella Insurance for professional contractors
Excess liability coverage above your underlying GL, commercial auto, and workers' comp policies — providing the additional limits that large professional contractor projects and owner contracts require.

What it covers
- Excess limits above underlying GL per occurrence and aggregate
- Excess limits above commercial auto liability
- Excess limits above employers' liability (Part Two)
- Defense costs above underlying policy limits
- Drop-down coverage when underlying aggregate is exhausted
- Worldwide coverage for international project activities
Who it's for
- Professional contractors with large contract values
- Design-build firms whose projects require high liability limits
- Contractors required by owner or lender to carry $5M or more in liability
- Firms whose GL and auto limits may be insufficient for a worst-case claim
Why CCA
- Umbrella programs specifically built over contractor primary policies
- High-limit umbrella access for large design-build and infrastructure projects
- Coordinated with underlying policies so there are no gaps in the coverage tower
Common questions about commercial umbrella insurance
Large construction projects carry large liability exposures. A serious injury, a major design error, or a significant property damage claim can easily exceed $1M GL or auto limits. Umbrella coverage pays the excess above your underlying policies — up to the umbrella limit.
Most large project owners require $5M–$10M in combined liability (GL + umbrella). Design-build firms with significant professional services often need more. We match umbrella limits to your project requirements and contract obligations.
Standard commercial umbrellas typically do not provide excess coverage over E&O / professional liability — they sit above GL, auto, and workers' comp only. Professional liability umbrella (excess E&O) is a separate product. We can place both if needed.
When your underlying GL aggregate is exhausted by claims during the policy period, the umbrella drops down to replace it — maintaining the same level of primary protection. Without drop-down, you'd be unprotected between GL aggregate exhaustion and the umbrella attachment point.
Yes. For specific large projects requiring limits that exceed your annual umbrella, we can write project-specific excess or umbrella coverage with limits dedicated to that project.
Cost is driven by services performed, annual revenue, contract types, and professional liability claims history. We quote your actual firm in about 15 minutes — never a ballpark from a generic business form.
Yes. Contractors Choice Agency is licensed in all 50 states and writes professional contractor programs nationwide — Arizona, Texas, California, the Northeast, Pacific Northwest, and everywhere contractors operate.
Typically 15 minutes on a call. Larger or more complex programs may take a day or two to place with the right markets, but we move fast and set expectations up front.
Often yes. We have admitted and E&S markets for professional contractors declined over prior claims, loss runs, or complex project types. Bring us your situation and we'll find a market.
Usually yes. A coordinated program closes gaps between policies and is typically cheaper than separate policies from separate carriers — and far easier to manage at claim time.
A.M. Best ratings reflect a carrier's financial strength and ability to pay claims. We place coverage with A-rated (and A+ where possible) carriers so the coverage is there when a professional liability claim, contract dispute, or construction defect suit hits.
Yes. Design-build firms carry both professional and trade liability; project managers carry significant professional services exposure; specialty contractors have unique E&O profiles. We tailor each program to the specific services your firm provides.
Claims are evaluated based on the alleged harm — cost overruns tied to professional errors, project delays, design defect remediation costs, and client financial losses. We work with carriers that handle contractor professional liability claims efficiently and fairly.
Services performed, annual revenue, contract types (fixed-price, cost-plus, design-build), largest single project, professional liability history, current coverage, and loss history. More detail means a more accurate quote.
If you're the responsible contractor and a subcontractor's error leads to a professional liability claim against you, your policy covers your exposure as the directing or coordinating party — including defense costs and resulting liability.
Yes. Project-based contractors can obtain project-specific professional liability policies for individual large contracts, while ongoing firms carry annual programs. We match the program structure to how your firm actually operates.
That's a professional liability (E&O) claim. Your policy covers your defense costs, legal fees, and any resulting judgment or settlement — up to your policy limits. Without E&O coverage, you'd pay out of pocket.
Yes. If you operate through multiple entities, joint ventures, or have separate design and construction arms, we build one coordinated program covering all entities with no gaps between them.
Yes. Contractors who provide consulting, inspection, commissioning, or advisory services carry professional liability exposure beyond their construction activities. We add professional liability tailored to those services.
Pair it with related coverage
Ready to protect your contracting firm?
Get a 15-minute quote from specialists who understand professional contractor liability — E&O, design-build, contract disputes, and professional services exposure.