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Independent contractor insurance checklist

Create a printable insurance checklist for comparing quotes and contract requirements.

How to use this tool

This tool helps an independent contractor build a printable checklist for coverage, contract wording, and quote comparison notes.

Who this is for

Independent contractors comparing insurance quotes or reviewing a client contract before work starts.

When to use it

Use it when a client asks for proof of insurance, when you compare carrier quotes, or before renewal.

How to use it

Enter your business name, work type, and state, then use the downloaded checklist to mark requested coverages, limits, endorsements, and quote notes.

What you get

You get a PDF or DOCX checklist with coverage rows, endorsement explanations, limit blanks, and a carrier comparison table.

Independent contractor insurance checklist

Create a printable insurance checklist for comparing quotes and contract requirements.

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Checklist

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You get a PDF or DOCX checklist with coverage rows, endorsement explanations, limit blanks, and a carrier comparison table.

Available as PDF, DOCX. The file uses the current field values.

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Contractor summary

Contractor: ________________ Work type: ________________ State: ________________

Use this checklist while reviewing quotes, client contracts, and certificate requests. Independent contractor insurance is selected by the work performed, contract requirements, vehicles, tools, employees or helpers, and the limits a client asks to see.

Coverage to review

  • General liability: Review if your work could injure someone, damage property, or lead to a personal and advertising injury claim. Limit requested: __________ Quote included: __________ Notes: __________
  • Professional liability or errors and omissions: Review if you provide advice, design, consulting, coding, planning, management, or other professional services. Limit requested: __________ Quote included: __________ Notes: __________
  • Business owners policy: Review if you want general liability combined with coverage for business property such as tools, computers, samples, or inventory. Property value to insure: __________ Quote included: __________ Notes: __________
  • Tools and equipment coverage: Review if stolen or damaged tools, laptops, cameras, instruments, or specialty equipment would interrupt your work. Scheduled items needed: __________ Quote included: __________ Notes: __________
  • Commercial auto: Review if you use a vehicle for work, carry tools or materials, visit client sites, or have employees or helpers drive. Vehicles to list: __________ Quote included: __________ Notes: __________
  • Workers compensation: Review state rules and customer requirements if you have employees, helpers, subcontractors, or a contract that asks for this coverage. Requirement found: __________ Quote included: __________ Notes: __________
  • Umbrella or excess liability: Review only when a contract asks for limits above your underlying liability policies or your work needs higher limits. Limit requested: __________ Quote included: __________ Notes: __________

Contract wording to check

Use the written contract or onboarding packet as the source for this section. Remove items the contract does not require.

Contract itemWhat it meansRequired limit or wordingStatus
Certificate of insuranceEvidence that certain coverages and limits have been purchased; the certificate does not create coverage.__________☐ Needed ☐ Requested ☐ Received
Additional insuredGives the client or other party access to the liability policy for covered claims tied to your work when the endorsement applies.__________☐ Needed ☐ Requested ☐ Received
Primary and noncontributoryContract wording about which applicable policy pays first and whether another policy must contribute.__________☐ Needed ☐ Requested ☐ Received
Waiver of subrogationAn endorsement or policy wording where the insurer gives up certain recovery rights against a listed party after paying a covered loss.__________☐ Needed ☐ Requested ☐ Received
Completed operationsAdditional insured wording may need to apply after your work is finished if the contract asks for completed operations coverage.__________☐ Needed ☐ Requested ☐ Received
Workers compensation proofSome clients ask for a policy, exemption, or rejection paperwork depending on state rules and worker status.__________☐ Needed ☐ Requested ☐ Received
Commercial auto proofContracts may ask for auto liability if vehicles are used for the job.__________☐ Needed ☐ Requested ☐ Received

Quote comparison notes

Carrier nameCoverage includedAnnual premiumDeductible or retentionLimits shownContract wording includedNotes
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Compare quotes by coverage, limits, deductible or retention, exclusions, endorsements, and certificate wording. The lowest premium may not satisfy the contract if required endorsements or limits are missing.

Details carriers may ask for

  • Work type and services provided: __________
  • Residential, commercial, or mixed work: __________
  • Annual receipts or revenue: __________
  • Payroll, employees, helpers, or subcontractor cost: __________
  • Business location and states where work is performed: __________
  • Tools, equipment, computers, samples, or inventory values: __________
  • Vehicles used for business: __________
  • Requested limits and deductibles: __________
  • Prior claims or incidents: __________
  • Contract-required endorsements or certificate wording: __________

A solo consultant, trade contractor, photographer, claims adjuster, wellness professional, and designer can need different policies because the work, contracts, property, vehicles, and legal requirements are different.

Next steps

  • Send the contract insurance page with your quote request so required wording can be reviewed.
  • Ask each carrier option to show the same limits, deductibles, and contract endorsements when possible.
  • Do not rely on a certificate alone; policy terms and endorsements control the actual coverage.
  • Review workers compensation rules and client requirements if you have employees, helpers, or subcontractors.

What this includes

Download formats

PDF, DOCX

Fields

Contractor name, Work type, State

Document sections

Contractor summary, Coverage to review, Contract wording to check, Quote comparison notes, Details carriers may ask for

Related guides

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Reviewed byHuy Huynh, technology lead at TradesCoverage and licensed insurance brokerNPN 22071436Last reviewed May 2026

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