The policies a gutter business carries
Gutter work is ladder work, so falls are the main risk, with damage to roofs and siding close behind.
| Policy | Average a month |
|---|---|
| General liability | $83 |
| Tools and equipment | $42 |
| Commercial auto | $270 |
| Workers' compensation | $160 |
| Surety or license bond | $9 |
Averages are what Insureon's customers among contractors as a group (it publishes no separate figures for gutter) pay, from Insureon's cost page; most of its customers have fewer than five employees. Across all its small business customers, general liability runs $265 to $3,030 a year.
Claims gutter companies plan for
- A ladder slips off a gutter and a worker falls
- A gutter falls and damages a deck
- Water overflows into a basement window well
- Hangers crack the fascia
Ask your agent, in these words:
- Would my policy pay if a ladder slips off a gutter and a worker falls?
- Would my policy pay if a gutter falls and damages a deck?
- Would my policy pay if water overflows into a basement window well?
- Would my policy pay if hangers crack the fascia?
Name the work you sell
A policy covers the work you describe on the application. From the gutter services list, name each of these and ask whether any is excluded: seamless aluminum gutter, installed; vinyl gutter, installed; gutter guards, installed; remove and haul away old gutters; gutter cleaning, one story; gutter cleaning, two stories; clogged downspouts; cleaning job minimum; minor gutter repairs; re-hang sagging gutters; downspout extensions.
Gutter machines and trailers are big-ticket items to list. On the tools list, the items to list on the policy are seamless gutter machine and trailer; downspout crimper and bender; gutter vacuum system; ladder rack and stabilizers; second ladder set, and from the starter kit, extension ladder with standoff; multi-position ladder; gutter scoop, gloves and buckets; backpack blower; hose with a gutter wand.
State rules in the license
Gutter work often falls under the general contractor rules. Our general contractor license guide lists the insurance and bond line for each of 48 states from the boards' own pages.
Workers' comp and bonds
The SBA says every business with employees must carry workers' compensation, unemployment and disability insurance. Insureon's average for contractors as a group is $160 a month, priced per $100 of payroll. A bond protects the state or the customer, not you; Insureon puts its yearly cost at a share of the bond amount:
| Bond amount | Estimated yearly cost |
|---|---|
| $5,000 | $25 to $500 |
| $10,000 | $50 to $1,000 |
| $50,000 | $250 to $5,000 |
Certificates of insurance
HOAs and property managers ask for a certificate. Keep a PDF on your phone so you can send it the day they ask.
Sources
- Insureon: Insurance cost for contractors as a group, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: General liability insurance cost, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Workers' compensation insurance cost, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Surety bond cost, checked October 9, 2026
- SBA: Get business insurance, checked October 9, 2026
- Koira: General Contractor license requirements by state (each row lists its board sources), checked October 9, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.