Insurance for Electricians
in Pennsylvania
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General Liability Insurance for Electricians in Pennsylvania
A General Liability policy can protect electricians against third-party claims regarding injury or damage to their property. Your policy will cover your legal expenses and the cost to remedy the situation, up to the policy limits. These polices typically provide coverage whether you are liable or not. General Liability insurance is also referred to as Commercial General Liability (CGL) or “slip and fall” coverage.
Why do electricians need General Liability insurance in PA?
Electricians face many challenges and dangers on the job, whether you’re in Philadelphia, Titusville or somewhere in between. Working with electricity can be hazardous, but it’s not the only risk you might face in your career. Simple, everyday actions can also lead to expensive claims and lawsuits.
Take this example: You’re on a worksite and accidentally knock over a ladder. Another contractor had left their tools on top the ladder, and they’re damaged in the fall. The contractor demands that you pay to replace the damaged tools. *
Could you afford to replace or repair another contractor’s tools from your own pocket? What if a client trips over your toolbox and ends up with injuries and expensive medical bills? You could be liable and ordered to pay their medical bills or compensate them for other financial losses. Either scenario could end up costing you an arm and a leg—and maybe even your business.
This is where General Liability insurance for electricians can help. Your policy can remove the burden of legal bills and compensation to the wronged party from your shoulders. Instead of worrying about making the wrong move every time you enter a client’s home or a worksite, you can focus 100% on the job at hand instead.
Did you Know?
General Liability insurance is a requirement to work as a licensed electrician in many Pennsylvania cities and municipalities.
Why become an Electrician in Pennsylvania?
Home improvement and maintenance projects are on the rise across the country, creating an opportunity for many electricians. But beyond remodeling projects, general repairs and emergencies will always create the need for the services of trained, professional electricians in every state, including Pennsylvania.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that there are 19,560 electricians in Pennsylvania as of 2020. Need for electricians in Pennsylvania is likely to grow, as the number job openings in the field is projected to increase across the country by 9% between 2020 and 2030. This is slightly faster than the average of growth rate of 8% for all occupations.
Electricians in Pennsylvania currently enjoy high employment rates. The Keystone State is in the top 15 states for employment in the field as of May 2020.
Pennsylvania electricians also have excellent earning potential. The annual average salary is $68,950 (or $33.15 per hour), considerably more than the national average of $56,900 per year ($27.36 per hour). Average annual salaries can be much higher or lower, depending on the geographic area where you live and work. An electrician in Philadelphia may earn an annual salary of $76,850 on average. By contrast, electricians working in a non-metro area of Southern Pennsylvania may take home an average salary of $46,420.
Electrician License Requirements in Pennsylvania
The state of Pennsylvania does not issue statewide licenses or certification for electricians. Instead, individual counties, cities, and boroughs have their own electrician license requirements. Many require electricians to show proof of General Liability insurance to register and become licensed.
Areas that require you to have electrical company insurance may also set minimum coverage amounts to get and renew your license. For example, electricians in Philadelphia must have at least $500,000** of General Liability coverage per occurrence. All contractors, including electricians, must have a minimum of $1 million** of General Liability coverage in Pittsburg.
Your local licensing board will have details on how to get an electrician’s license in your area, including any insurance requirements set for your occupation.
General Liability Insurance
General Liability insurance protects businesses against third-party claims of injury and property damage. Your policy covers legal expenses and the cost to fix the situation (up to the policy limits). These protections apply to claims that do have merit and those that do not. General Liability insurance is also sold as Commercial General Liability (CGL) or “slip and fall” coverage.
What does Electricians’ General Liability insurance cover?
Your General Liability insurance policy will cover:
- Bodily injury suffered by a third-party
- Property damage incurred by a third-party
As well as protecting you in cases where you are liable, electrician insurance in Pennsylvania also protects you against claims without merit. Baseless claims can be expensive to resolve. The last thing you want is for an unfounded claim to derail your business. General Liability insurance can help shield your business and personal finances from costly legal fees and compensation demands claims.
What is not typically covered?
General Liability insurance typically does not cover:
- Personal injuries and workers’ comp claims
- Damage to your property
- Intentional third-party property damage
- Mistakes or omissions in your work
These are just some of the events that are not included in most General Liability policies. For details of what coverage is and is not included in your policy, please refer to the policy documents.
How much does Electrician insurance cost in Pennsylvania?
The cost of General Liability insurance can vary. Insurance companies consider many factors when they calculate your premium (the amount you will regularly pay for your policy). This means that your electrical company insurance premiums may differ from other electricians, even those also working in your area.
Some of the factors that can impact your General Liability premium included:
- Your qualifications and experience – The education and licenses you hold and even how long you’ve worked as an electrician can affect how much you pay for insurance.
- The area where you work – Electricians in cities, such as Philadelphia or Pittsburg, may pay more for business insurance than ones based in rural areas of the state.
- Your claims history – You could pay a higher premium if you have a history of previous general liability claims.
- Your coverage level – You are likely to pay more for a higher level of coverage. You may need to have a minimum level of coverage to get or renew your electrician’s license.
These are just some of the many factors that may be affect how your General Liability insurance premium is calculated. Often, the simplest way to know how much you can expect to pay for a policy is to compare quotes from different insurance companies.
BizInsure makes it easy for electricians to do this. You can quickly find and compare General Liability policies from A-rated or better insurers, and buy a policy in just minutes.
Other common trades we cover
Electricians aren’t the only contractors who may need General Liability insurance in Pennsylvania. We also help other types of contractors and tradespeople find coverage to fit their small business:
- Construction
- Carpenters
- Handymen
- Heating & Air
- Flooring
- Janitorial
- Landscapers
- Masons
- Painters
- Plasterers
- Plumbers
- And many more!
Click or call today to start comparing General Liability insurance for Pennsylvania contractors!
Why choose BizInsure for Electrician insurance?
Electricians across the state—from Philadelphia to Pittsburg—are coming to BizInsure to find electrical contractor insurance in Pennsylvania. Here’s why:
Fast & easy application
Get the business insurance you need with less hassle. There’s no complicated paperwork to fill out, just 10 questions or less for most applications.
Top-rated insurers
We only work with the best insurers. All our partners are A-rated or better, with competitively priced products for all kinds of contractors.
Instant coverage
No more waiting for your proof of insurance. You’ll receive your certificate of insurance by email immediately.
Quality customer support
Licensed agents are ready to answer your questions and help with your insurance purchase.
Compare electrical liability in Pennsylvania and meet your insurance needs. Start your online application today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is insurance important for electrical businesses in Pennsylvania?
Insurance for electricians is a requirement to work as an electrician in many areas of Pennsylvania. Without a General Liability policy and some other forms of insurance, you will be unable to work as an electrician in certain cities, boroughs, or counties. For example, Philadelphia electricians must maintain a minimum level of General Liability coverage to get and renew their electrician’s license.
Electrical company insurance also helps protect your small business against liability claims that could drain your bank accounts and potentially destroy your livelihood. Claims and lawsuits brought by third parties are often costly to resolve. General Liability insurance helps cover your legal costs and compensation to the wronged party, so you do not have to pay these expenses from your own pocket.
Is electrical liability in Pennsylvania required by law?
General Liability and other insurance for electricians may be required by law in your area. You may need a policy to get or renew your electrician’s license. Your local licensing board will have up-to-date information on insurance requirements and minimum coverage levels for electricians in your area.
You may need General Liability insurance for other reasons, even if it is not required by law. Often, commercial landlords will not lease office or workspace without seeing proof of your insurance. A policy may also be required if you work as a subcontractor for another electrical company.
How do I get an electrician’s license in Pennsylvania?
Electrician’s licenses in Pennsylvania are issued at the local level, either by your city, borough, county, or other municipality. The state government does not issue statewide licenses to electricians.
Each municipality has its own requirements for getting an electrician’s license. In general, to get an electrician’s license in Pennsylvania you may need to:
- Complete an approved training program or have an equivalent amount of practical experience
- Pass an exam given by the local licensing body
- Apply for other relevant licenses, such as a business license or tax ID
- Show proof of General Liability insurance and/or other required electrical contractor insurance in Pennsylvania
- Pay a fee to the licensing board
It’s wise to check the exact steps for getting an electrician’s license in your area to ensure you meet the requirements before you submit an application or begin work.
