General Liability
The foundation of every HVAC insurance program — and the coverage that has to respond to combustion and carbon monoxide exposure. What it covers, what it costs, and why most HVAC contractors need it before their next job.
General liability (GL) insurance protects your HVAC business from third-party claims of bodily injury and property damage. For this trade, that has to include response to carbon monoxide poisoning claims from improper combustion or venting work — the single most severe exposure HVAC contractors carry, and the reason this trade is rated differently than lighter contracting trades. It's the coverage most clients, GCs, and property managers require before you start work.
If someone is injured in connection with your work — a homeowner or tenant is exposed to carbon monoxide from improperly vented equipment, a bystander is injured near your job site, or a client's employee is hurt around a mechanical room — general liability covers the medical costs and legal fees associated with that claim. CO exposure is the defining severity driver in HVAC liability, the way fire risk defines electrical work.
A refrigerant leak damages flooring, a botched gas line connection causes property damage, a ductwork installation error damages a ceiling — these are common claims for HVAC contractors. GL covers the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged property plus any legal costs if the claim becomes a lawsuit.
This covers claims that arise after a job is finished — and in HVAC, that tail risk is significant. A furnace install that develops a combustion problem months later, or a refrigerant connection that fails after the season changes, are exactly the kind of after-the-fact claims completed operations coverage is built to catch.
Covers claims of libel, slander, or copyright infringement arising from your business activities. Less common for HVAC contractors, but included in standard GL policies.
It's important to understand the limits of GL coverage:
GL policies have two main limits: per occurrence and aggregate. A common limit is $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. The per occurrence limit is the maximum paid on any single claim. The aggregate is the total the policy will pay in a year across all claims. Given the severity potential of a CO claim, many HVAC contractors carry — or are required to carry — $2M/$4M limits.
Fill out the quote form and our licensed agents will build your general liability quote — typically the same business day. Once you bind, your certificate of insurance is issued instantly.
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FAQ
It's required by most GCs, property managers, and commercial clients. Some states require it for licensed HVAC contractors. Given the carbon monoxide and combustion exposure in this trade, it's essential protection even where it's not legally required.
Yes — CO exposure tied to improper combustion or venting work is a bodily injury claim, and general liability is built to respond to exactly this kind of third-party injury. It's the central severity driver carriers look at when rating HVAC.
If the helper is truly an independent subcontractor with their own insurance, your GL may not need to cover them. If they're working under your direction and using your equipment, they may need to be on your policy. We'll help you structure coverage correctly.
Same-day coverage is typically available. Fill out the form today and our agents work fast. Once you bind, your COI is issued instantly.
Prior claims can affect your rate and in some cases carrier eligibility, but coverage is often still available. Tell us about any prior claims on the quote form and we'll find the best option for your situation.
Licensed agents build your custom quote — typically same business day. Review, enroll, and get your COI instantly.