Reagan Huddleston
For contractors, builders, and trade businesses, the fourth quarter is when next year starts taking shape. Bids go out, equipment purchases get planned, and crews get sized for the work ahead. It's also the point when this year's growth has quietly outpaced the policies written to cover it. A business that added a crew, bought a skid steer, and took on larger projects in 2026 may be operating on insurance sized for the company it used to be. A year-end review catches those gaps before renewals, new bids, or new jobs expose them.
1. Workers' Compensation, Payroll, and Classifications
Start with the numbers your policy was built on. If actual payroll has grown past the estimate on file, addressing it now softens the audit later. Confirm that class codes still match what your crews actually do, since misclassification cuts both ways on pricing. Review your subcontractor arrangements as well, and make sure you are collecting certificates of insurance from every sub, because uninsured subcontractor payroll can land on your policy at audit.
2. General Liability and Project Exposure
Your general liability program should reflect the work you perform today, including operations you added this year. Look at both ongoing operations and completed work, since liability for finished projects can follow a contractor long after the crew leaves. Review the insurance requirements in your standard contracts too. If clients are asking for higher limits or additional insured status, your policy needs to keep pace with what you are signing.
3. Property, Inland Marine, and Builder's Risk
These three coverages divide up the physical side of your business. Property insurance typically addresses your office, shop, and contents at fixed locations. Inland marine coverage follows tools and equipment that move between vehicles, storage, and job sites, which is where most contractor losses happen. Builder's risk applies to structures under construction, and each active project may need its own attention. Walk through where your assets actually sit on a typical Tuesday and confirm each category is addressed.
4. Vehicles and Equipment Schedules
Anything purchased, sold, or replaced in 2026 should be reflected on your schedules before renewal. An updated equipment inventory with serial numbers, values, and photos makes both underwriting and claims faster.
5. Business Changes and 2027 Projections
New locations, new services, revenue growth, and projected work for next year all shape how a program should be structured. Sharing accurate projections helps your agent build coverage around where the business is headed rather than where it has been.
Close the Year Out with a Review
Before 2027 planning accelerates, set aside an hour to update your inventories, project values, and business information, then bring them to a review. As a family-owned, independent agency serving contractors and trades across our region, we can compare options and help you enter the new year with a program that matches the business you have built. Contact us to schedule your year-end review.