Insurance in Oregon

Oregon's Construction Contractors Board requires both a surety bond and a liability insurance policy as a condition of licensure. Bond and insurance minimums differ by endorsement (residential vs commercial, general vs specialty, Level 1 vs Level 2). Check the current minimum on the CCB licensing page linked below before you buy coverage. A policy written below the CCB floor will not satisfy the license requirement. What the CCB-required bond does. The surety bond pays consumers and subcontractors in the event of judgments against the contractor, up to the bond amount. It is not insurance for the contractor. Bond claims can still leave the contractor on the hook to repay the surety. What the CCB-required liability insurance covers. Bodily injury and property damage arising from the contractor's work. Most commercial general contractors in Oregon will require a subcontractor to carry higher limits than the CCB floor. $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate is the common commercial requirement. Workers' compensation. Oregon requires workers' compensation coverage for employers with employees. Most contractors buy coverage through SAIF Corporation, Oregon's state-chartered workers' comp insurer, or through a private carrier. Sole proprietors without employees can typically skip workers' comp until the first hire. Confirm current trigger rules with the Oregon Workers' Compensation Division linked below. Other coverages to carry: - Commercial auto for trucks and vans used on the job. Personal auto policies carve out business use. - Hired and non-owned auto for employee vehicles used on company business. - Inland marine (contractor's equipment) for tools on the truck or job site. - Pollution liability for refrigerant, solvent, or fuel handling. - Employment practices liability (EPLI) once the employee count reaches double digits. - Umbrella for $1M or $2M over the underlying general liability policy. Shop the market annually. Oregon trade association programs through NECA, PHCC, ABC, and AGC often price better than street rates for contractors in the relevant trade.