Major Risks Ohio Contractors Face (and How to Protect Your Business)

Contractors across Ohio keep projects moving and communities growing, but every job comes with risk. From workplace injuries to stolen equipment, a single accident can create serious financial setbacks. That’s why understanding the major risks Ohio contractors face, and having the right insurance protection is critical for long-term success.

At Arnold Insurance Agency, we’ve helped contractors statewide for more than 40 years with contractor insurance in Ohio, risk management, and surety bonds. Here’s what every Ohio contractor needs to know:

1. General Liability Risks for Contractors

Lawsuits for property damage or bodily injury are among the most common contractor claims. Whether a client trips on a job site or a subcontractor damages property, legal fees and settlements add up quickly.

✅ Solution: General Liability Insurance for Ohio contractors provides the first line of defense. It covers legal expenses, medical costs, and damages tied to third-party claims.

2. Workers’ Compensation in Ohio

Ohio law requires contractors with employees to carry Workers’ Compensation Insurance. Without it, you risk fines, lawsuits, and uncovered medical bills if a worker is injured.

✅ Solution: Arnold Insurance ensures compliance while tailoring workers’ comp coverage to protect your employees and business.

3. Tools, Equipment, and Builder’s Risk

Contractors depend on expensive tools and machinery. Theft, vandalism, and severe weather can stop a project in its tracks. In addition, unfinished construction projects are exposed to fire, storms, and accidents.

✅ Solution: Protect your assets with Contractor Tools & Equipment Insurance and Builder’s Risk Insurance in Ohio. These policies cover tools, job site materials, and structures under construction.

4. Commercial Auto Insurance for Contractors

From hauling materials to transporting crews, work vehicles are constantly on the road. One accident can create costly liability claims.

✅ Solution: Commercial Auto Insurance covers damages, injuries, and liability related to contractor-owned vehicles.

5. Surety Bonds for Ohio Contractors

Many jobs in Ohio require bid, performance, or payment bonds before work even begins. Without bonding, contractors can lose out on valuable contracts.

✅ Solution: Arnold Insurance provides a full range of contractor surety bonds, helping you qualify for projects and meet compliance requirements.

6. Umbrella Insurance: Extra Liability Protection

When large claims exceed standard policy limits, contractors can face devastating financial loss.

✅ Solution: Commercial Umbrella Insurance gives contractors an added safety net by extending liability limits across multiple policies.

7. Risk Management and Subcontractor Liability

Subcontractors are a vital part of the construction industry, but they also create liability risks. If a subcontractor is uninsured, you could be held responsible for their claims.

✅ Solution: Arnold helps contractors with risk management strategies, including certificate tracking, contracts, and additional insured endorsements, to minimize exposure.

Why Ohio Contractors Choose Arnold Insurance Agency

• 40+ years of experience serving Ohio’s construction industry

• Specialized contractor insurance programs: not one-size-fits-all policies

• Local service, no call centers: when you call, you get a real person who knows your business

From Cleveland to Cincinnati, Columbus to Toledo, contractors trust Arnold Insurance to protect their projects and their future.

Protect Your Contracting Business Today

Don’t leave your business exposed to unnecessary risks. The right contractor insurance in Ohio keeps your crews safe, your tools protected, and your projects moving forward.

👉 Contact Arnold Insurance Agency today for a free consultation and see why over 1,000 contractors across Ohio trust us to protect what they’ve built.

5 Insurance Policies You Can't Afford to Skip as an Ohio Contractor

If you're a contractor in Ohio, you know risk is built into every job. From a sudden storm damaging a half-finished roof to a simple slip-and-fall on your job site, things can go wrong fast.

Simply put, the right insurance coverage can be the one thing that keeps your business running after a major mishap. At Arnold Insurance Agency, we've been working with contractors right here in Ohio since 1983. We know the unique challenges you face, and we're here to make sure you're protected.

So, let's get right to it. What coverage does an Ohio contractor actually need to be safe? We see these five as absolutely non-negotiable:

1. General Liability Insurance

Think of General Liability as your first line of defense. It steps in to handle claims that you caused bodily injury or damaged someone else’s property on the job. A client tripping over a power cord, a wall accidentally damaged during renovation—this is the policy that covers the legal bills and potential payouts. Most general contractors and clients won't even let you bid on a project without showing them proof of it.

2. Workers' Compensation Insurance

Here in Ohio, the law is clear: if you have employees, you need Workers' Comp. There’s no getting around it. This essential coverage pays for medical care and lost wages if one of your crew gets hurt on the job. It not only provides a crucial safety net for your employees but also shields your business from potentially devastating lawsuits. You work hard to keep your sites safe, but accidents happen. Workers' Comp ensures everyone is protected when they do.

3. Commercial Auto Insurance

Your work truck is the lifeblood of your business, right? Whether you have one pickup or a whole fleet, your auto policy just won't cut it when a vehicle is used for work. Commercial Auto Insurance is built to cover the risks of the road when you're moving between job sites. It protects you from accidents, theft, and other damage. Your team is on the road constantly, and this policy ensures a fender bender doesn't bend your business out of shape.

4. Builder's Risk Insurance (Course of Construction)

Picture this: you're weeks into a new build, and a fire or high winds tear through the site overnight. All that progress, and all those materials are gone. It's a nightmare scenario. That's exactly what Builder's Risk Insurance is for. It protects the structure and materials on-site while the project is still underway. It’s the policy that lets you sleep at night, knowing your hard work and financial investment are safe from the unexpected.

5. Contractor's Tools and Equipment Insurance

We know your tools and equipment are what make the job possible, and they aren’t cheap to replace. This policy covers your valuable assets, from power tools to heavy machinery, whether they're at the job site, in your truck, or in storage. Losing thousands of dollars worth of equipment to theft is a major setback, but with the right coverage, it doesn't have to be a business-ending event.

Don't Wait Until You Need It. Get Protected Now.

We get it—insurance feels complicated and is probably the last thing you want to deal with after a long day on the job. That's where we come in.

At the Arnold Insurance Agency, we’ve been helping contractors protect their livelihoods for over 40 years. We know the risks you face on the job site because we're your neighbors. We'll skip the jargon and help you build a practical, affordable plan that fits your business.

Don't leave your hard work exposed to risk for another day. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote and see why Ohio contractors have trusted us since 1983.