Coverage types

Each coverage line in a tower contractor program serves a specific purpose. Understanding what each one does - and how MSAs require them to be structured - is the foundation of a compliant program.

General Liability

Commercial general liability for tower erection and telecom contractors — without height exclusions. Covers work at 100-400 feet that standard GL policies exclude.

Workers Compensation

Workers compensation for tower climbers and telecom crews. NCCI class codes 3724 and 5057 accepted — not declined. Rates from $12 to $45 per $100 of payroll.

Umbrella & Excess Liability

Umbrella and excess liability for tower contractors — stack to $5M or $10M with per-project aggregate. No height exclusions on the umbrella layer.

Inland Marine

Inland marine coverage for gin poles, rigging gear, antennas, and specialized tower tools — in transit and on site. Typical spreads valued at $200K+.

Commercial Auto & Fleet

Commercial auto insurance for tower contractor fleets — bucket trucks, boom trucks, crew vehicles. $1M-$2M CSL with hired and non-owned auto included.

Drone/UAV Liability

Drone and UAV liability insurance for tower inspection, site survey, and progress documentation. Hull coverage plus $1M+ third-party liability.

Professional Liability

Professional liability (E&O) for tower contractors providing structural analysis, mount engineering, RF studies, and inspection reporting services.

Pollution Liability

Pollution liability for tower sites — diesel generator spills, battery acid release, lead paint, and asbestos during decommissioning or maintenance.

Builder's Risk / Installation Floater

Builder's risk and installation floater for tower construction — covers steel sections, shelters, antennas, and materials on site from arrival to handoff.

Cyber Liability

Cyber liability insurance for tower contractors — covers data breaches, ransomware, and network intrusion from carrier access credentials and site databases.

Occupational Accident

Occupational accident insurance for 1099 tower climbers — medical, disability, and AD&D benefits when workers comp doesn't apply. Common in Texas.

Surety Bonds

Surety bonds for tower contractors — performance, payment, and bid bonds for government projects (FirstNet, DoD) and large carrier buildouts.

Business Owners Policy (BOP)

Business owners policy for small tower contractors — bundled property and GL, but requires height exclusion removal and contractor endorsements.

Employment Practices Liability (EPLI)

EPLI for tower contractors — covers discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation claims. Average defense cost: $75K-$125K per claim.

Commercial Property

Commercial property insurance for tower contractor offices, warehouses, staging yards, and stored materials — fire, wind, theft, and vandalism coverage.