Best Plumbers Liability Insurance

Nationwide wins for the best residential plumbing policies, while Rockingham is our top pick for commercial plumbers

By
Lindsay Frankel
Lindsay Frankel
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A freelance writer with more than three years of researching and writing about personal loans, insurance, credit cards, and more, Lindsay's work has appeared on sites such as Insurify, Bankrate, and The Simple Dollar.
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Updated May 30, 2023
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J.R. Duren
Duren
Fact checked by J.R. Duren
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J.R. Duren has more than 10 years of experience writing and editing for print and digital media outlets, serving in roles as a marketing writer, reporter, and freelance editor. He serves as an insurance editor for Dotdash Meredith's performance marketing department.
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As a plumbing contractor, you deal with homeowner disasters every day. Typically, you’re the one to save the day—but what if you inadvertently cause damage to a customer’s home? Mistakes can happen, and that’s why it’s important to have a plumbers liability policy you can count on. The right plumber insurance for you will depend on the needs of your business. However, in general, a good company will have high quote rates, low complaint rates for a company of its size, reasonable premiums, and solid financial stability. 

To choose the best liability insurance for plumbers, we evaluated 11 providers based on the rate at which the company provides quotes via Insureon (40%), National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index (30%), average premium (20%), and AM Best rating (10%). Here are the top plumbing liability insurance companies for 2023.

Best Plumbers Liability Insurance of 2023

Best for Residential Plumbing Policies : Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company

Nationwide
Get a Quote
Why We Chose It

Nationwide offers low average premiums for general liability coverage, has a low NAIC complaint index, and offers contractor-specific enhancements for its general liability policies. 

Pros & Cons
Pros

  • Relatively low average general liability premiums

  • Offers endorsements designed for contractors

  • Provides commercial auto insurance

  • Fewer complaints with the NAIC than expected

Cons

  • Only approves 58% of residential plumbing contractors

Overview

Nationwide offers general liability insurance for plumbers who engage in residential and light commercial work. The company offers two contractor-specific enhancement packages: one that covers blanket additional insureds and one that covers property and inland marine, along with some extra benefits. You can also add business auto, workers’ compensation, and more coverages for complete protection. The company even offers group employee benefits. 

Nationwide rates well among third-party agencies. It has an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best and third place in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study. The company also has fewer complaints with the NAIC than expected given its size, another positive indicator of customer satisfaction. 

Nationwide has a relatively low quote rate for plumbing contractors. 

Plan Pricing

Below are average Nationwide annual premiums, according to data from Insureon:

  • General liability for residential plumbing: $2,380
  • General liability for commercial plumbing: $1,556

Best for Commercial Plumbing Policies : Rockingham Casualty Company

Rockingham Casualty Company
Rockingham Casualty Company.
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Why We Chose It

Rockingham Casualty Company has the highest quote rate on Insureon for commercial plumbing businesses at 79%, making the company ideal for newer or high-risk businesses that can’t get coverage elsewhere. 

Pros & Cons
Pros

  • Highest quote rate for commercial plumbers

  • Fewer complaints with the NAIC than expected

Cons

  • Few coverage details available

  • Higher than average premiums

Overview

Rockingham Casualty Company has a 79% quote rate for commercial plumbers and offers a lower average premium than some competitors. Policies vary by state, and few coverage details are available online, but the company can insure businesses that have limited options. Rockingham also has fewer complaints with the NAIC than expected given its market share, which is a positive indicator of customer satisfaction. Rockingham holds an A- (Excellent) financial strength rating with AM Best.

Rockingham’s premiums are among the highest for commercial plumbing policies. So, while the insurer may be a good choice if you’re starting out and need general liability coverage, you may encounter premiums that are out of your price range. 

Plan Pricing

Below are average Rockingham annual premiums, according to data from Insureon:

  • General liability for residential plumbing: $4,177
  • General liability for commercial plumbing: $4,638

Best Quote Rate for Residential General Liability : CNA Insurance Companies

CNA

 CNA
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Why We Chose It

CNA has an 89% quote rate for residential plumbers and offers a small business owner’s policy that includes a blanket additional-insured enhancement. 

Pros & Cons
Pros

  • Highest quote rate for residential plumbers

  • Offers a comprehensive business owner’s policy

  • Offers commercial auto insurance

Cons

  • Must work with an agent to get a quote

  • High NAIC complaint index

Overview

Of the providers we reviewed, CNA has the highest quote rate for residential plumbers seeking general liability insurance. The company offers commercial general liability and commercial auto along with a comprehensive business owner’s policy that includes a blanket additional-insured endorsement. Blanket building and blanket business personal property are available at no additional premium, too. 

CNA has an A (Excellent) financial strength grade with AM Best, but the company received nearly double the expected number of complaints with the NAIC given its market share.

You’ll need to work with an agent to get additional details and pricing info since CNA doesn’t offer online quotes or sample policies. 

Plan Pricing

Below are average CNA annual premiums, according to data from Insureon:

  • General liability for residential plumbing: $3,529
  • General liability for commercial plumbing: $4,964

Best for Low Complaint Rates : Chubb

Chubb logo

Chubb
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Why We Chose It

Chubb is our top pick for customer satisfaction, with no NAIC complaints and a high J.D. Power ranking for commercial insurance. 

Pros & Cons
Pros

  • No complaints with the NAIC about commercial liability insurance

  • Ranked second by J.D. Power for small commercial insurance

  • A++ (Superior) financial strength rating with AM Best

  • Relatively low average premiums, especially for commercial plumbers

  • Transparent website with quotes available for some small businesses

Cons

  • Doesn’t offer commercial auto

  • Very low quote rates

Overview

Chubb has an A+ (Superior) AM Best financial strength rating, won second place in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study, and has no complaints with the NAIC, making it our top choice for customer satisfaction. We also appreciate the company’s transparent coverage details online and its quote tool available to businesses with $2 million or less in annual revenue. However, the company doesn’t offer commercial auto insurance. Also, its quote rates for residential and commercial plumbers are quite low at 11% and 19%, respectively. 

In addition to general liability coverage, Chubb offers additional options such as a business owner’s policy, cyber insurance, workers’ compensation coverage, and umbrella insurance. Depending on your state and business, you may get coverage for privacy liability and data breaches included at no additional cost. 

Plan Pricing

Below are average Chubb annual premiums, according to data from Insureon:

  • General liability for residential plumbing: $3,077
  • General liability for commercial plumbing: $1,658

Lowest Average Premium for General Liability Policies : Acuity

Acuity
Acuity.
Get a Quote
Why We Chose It

Acuity offers low average premiums for residential and commercial plumbing. Additionally, the company has a low NAIC complaint index.

Pros & Cons
Pros

  • Low average premiums for residential and commercial plumbers

  • Fewer complaints with the NAIC than expected

  • No-cost OSHA training and loss-control services

  • Offers commercial auto and workers’ compensation

Cons

  • Low quote rates

Overview

Of the providers we reviewed, Acuity offered the lowest average premiums for residential plumbers and the second-lowest average premiums for commercial plumbers after Nationwide. In addition to offering affordable premiums, Acuity also offers contractor-specific enhancements such as additional insured endorsements, installation coverage, and contractors’ equipment insurance. You’ll also get access to free OSHA training, safety materials, and a variety of other risk management services. 

You can get commercial auto, workers’ compensation, cyber coverage, and more from Acuity as well. And the company boasts several positive indicators of customer satisfaction, including a low NAIC complaint index. Acuity also has an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating with AM Best. 

Acuity only approves 35% of residential plumbing insurance applications and 36% of commercial customers, according to data from Insureon.

Plan Pricing

Below are average Acuity annual premiums, according to data from Insureon:

  • General liability for residential plumbing: $2,018
  • General liability for commercial plumbing: $1,648

Final Verdict

For residential plumbers, Nationwide offers the best value and coverage options. But plumbers who have difficulty getting approved may be better served by CNA. Chubb wins for customer satisfaction, but has a low quote rate and doesn’t offer commercial auto insurance. For commercial plumbers, Rockingham has the highest quote rate, while Acuity is more affordable and offers more benefits. Acuity is a budget-friendly option for residential plumbers as well.

More Ratings of Top Commercial Insurance Companies


Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is It Mandatory to Have Plumbers Insurance?

    In many states and municipalities, you may be required to have general liability insurance for plumbing licensure. Plumbers insurance may also be required as a condition of some contracts. Even if it’s not required, it’s a good idea to have general liability insurance to protect your business finances. 

  • What Does Plumbers Liability Insurance Not Cover?

    Plumbers liability insurance won’t cover damage to your tools or equipment, or pay for workers’ compensation in the event of a workplace injury or illness. It also won’t cover business use of your vehicle. However, you can typically add some or all of these coverages through your current general liability insurer.

  • How Important Is It to Have Plumbers Liability Insurance?

    Plumbers are exposed to a variety of risks, so it’s very important for plumbers to have liability insurance. If you damage a customer’s home or cause injury during the course of your work, a resulting lawsuit could spell serious financial trouble for your business. 

  • What Are the Different Types of Plumbers Liability Insurance?

    Typically, plumbers liability insurance refers to a general liability policy. Other plumbers insurance coverages include commercial auto, tools and equipment, and workers’ compensation. Some plumbers may also choose to bundle their property and liability insurance with a business owner’s policy. 

Methodology

To choose the best plumbers liability insurance companies, we evaluated 11 providers based on data collected from Insureon. We analyzed and scored companies based on the following criteria:

  • Quote rate (40%): We considered the share of Insureon customers who got a quote from the company while obtaining a quote from insurance marketplace Insureon. 
  • NAIC index (30%): The NAIC complaint index is an important indicator of customer satisfaction. We scored each company based on the number of NAIC complaints it received relative to its market share. 
  • Average premium (20%): We considered the average premium each company charged across all businesses using the Insureon platform. 
  • AM Best rating (10%): Financial strength ratings from independent ratings agencies are indicators of insurers’ claims-paying capabilities. We evaluated each company’s AM Best rating when determining its score. 

In addition, we paid attention to coverage options and limitations, J.D. Power rankings, and any additional features or benefits offered in conjunction with insurance coverage. 

Plumber working on pipes under sink

Anchiy / Getty Images
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  1. J.D. Power. “2022 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study.”

  2. AM Best. “AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Its Key Operating Subsidiaries.”

  3. AM Best. “A.M. Best Upgrades Ratings of Rockingham Casualty Company.”

  4. AM Best. “AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of CNA Financial Corporation and Its Subsidiaries.”

  5. AM Best. “AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Chubb Limited and Its Subsidiaries.”

  6. J.D. Power. “2022 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study.”

  7. Chubb. “Get a Business Insurance Quote.”

  8. AM Best. “AM Best Affirms Financial Strength Credit Rating for Acuity, A Mutual Insurance Company; Revises ICR Outlook to Negative.”

  9. ServiceTitan. “How to Protect Your Company With Plumbing Insurance.”