Contractor Education

We provide education to contractors we work with and to companies that want to support the people doing the work.

Contractors keep work moving. When something goes wrong, tools are stolen, someone gets injured, a vehicle is involved in an accident, everything can stop immediately.

This education exists because most contractors only learn about coverage gaps after a loss happens.

We see the same patterns across trades.

  • Tools are not covered the way people think.
  • Personal auto policies fail during work-related claims.
  • Injuries lead to lost income with no safety net.
  • Certificates give a false sense of security.

Contractor education is about helping tradesmen understand what actually happens when work is interrupted and how to reduce that risk before it costs time, income, or future opportunities.

Who Contractor Education is For

Independent Contractors and Tradespeople

  • Contractors who rely on their tools, vehicles, and physical ability to earn income. If something breaks or gets stolen, there is no backup paycheck.
  • Contractors trying to understand their risks before they experience a tool theft, injury, accident, or denied claim.
  • Contractors who already have insurance coverage but still have questions about what exactly is protected, what is not, and where gaps typically appear.

Companies that Rely on Contractor Labor Daily

  • Businesses that depend on installers, technicians, drivers, and specialists to keep jobs moving. When contractors are sidelined, projects slow down or stop entirely.

Companies That Operate Tenant or Franchise Models

Businesses that provide space, branding, or infrastructure to independent operators face unique risks.

This includes salon suites, franchise locations, shared workspaces, and other tenant-based models where contractors operate under a larger brand.

While tenants may carry their own insurance, gaps in coverage can still affect:

  • your location
  • your reputation
  • your ability to operate smoothly

Contractor education helps tenants understand their responsibilities while reducing disruptions caused by uncovered losses, injuries, or vehicle-related issues.

Many tenant-based businesses use contractor education as a way to:

  • set clearer expectations
  • reduce risk exposure
  • support independent operators without managing insurance directly

Core Contractor Education Topics

Tools and Equipment Protection

Theft

What happens when tools are stolen

Tool theft often happens from vehicles, job sites, garages, or storage units. Many contractors assume replacement will be simple, but claims are frequently denied or capped because the tools were used for work and not having the correct insurance coverage in place.

Personal Lines Policies

Why personal auto policies do not cover work tools

Most personal policies exclude or severely limit coverage for tools used to earn income. Even when coverage exists, limits are often far below the actual cost of replacement.

No Paycheck

How downtime impacts income immediately

Without tools, contractors cannot work. That means missed jobs, canceled appointments, and no income while replacements are sorted out or paid for out of pocket.

Injury and Work Stoppage

  • What happens when a contractor gets injured and cannot work

    Many contractors assume medical bills are the main concern. In reality, the bigger issue is lost income when work cannot continue for days, weeks, or months.

  • Why gaps show up between workers compensation, liability, and personal policies

    Not all contractors are covered by workers compensation, and personal health insurance does not replace lost income. Liability policies also do not cover personal injuries to the contractor.

  • How missed work affects both the contractor and the company

    When a contractor is sidelined, jobs are delayed or reassigned. That impacts schedules, revenue, customer satisfaction, and sometimes long-term business relationships.

Vehicles & Transportation

Why personal auto often fails during claims

Personal auto policies frequently exclude accidents that occur while working, transporting tools, or driving between job sites. This leads to denied claims when coverage is needed most.

What happens after an accident while working

An accident during work can leave a contractor without a vehicle, without income, and responsible for damages that are not covered under a personal policy.

How claims delays shut down jobs

Even when a claim is eventually approved, delays can keep a vehicle off the road for weeks. During that time, work stops and income disappears.

Business and Liability Basics

Common misconceptions about “being covered”

Having a policy does not always mean having the right coverage. Many contractors hold policies that look fine on paper but fail in real-world situations.

Why insurance certificates alone do not equal protection

Certificates of insurance show that a policy exists, not what it actually covers. They do not explain exclusions, limits, or gaps that may appear during a claim.

How one incident can affect future work opportunities

A single uncovered incident can follow a contractor longer than expected.

When a claim is denied or a loss goes unpaid, contractors may struggle to meet insurance requirements for future jobs. Some companies require proof of specific coverage before approving work, renewing contracts, or allowing access to job sites.

Unresolved claims, lawsuits, or gaps in coverage can also impact a contractor’s ability to secure partnerships, qualify for vendor lists, or win higher-paying work. What starts as one incident can quietly limit future opportunities.

How Companies Use Our Contractor Education

    Companies actively use it to support their contractor and technician teams.

    On-Site Contractor Education Sessions

    Farmers Insurance - Young Douglas provides focused twenty-minute education sessions for contractor and technician teams. These sessions walk through tool theft, injuries, downtime, and coverage gaps in plain language. Companies like NexGen use these sessions to educate contractors without turning it into a sales meeting.

    NexGen Plumbing & Heating - Farmers Insurance Young Douglas

    Branded  Contractor Education Pages

    Some companies choose to have a branded company page hosted on our website, giving their contractors a clear place to learn about coverage options and next steps. This keeps the process simple for contractors without requiring your company’s internal teams to manage questions or follow-ups.

    Each option builds on the same contractor education foundation outlined on this page.

    Contractor Education by Trade Available

    While the risks contractors face are similar across trades, how they show up in real life varies by industry. We provide contractor education that is tailored by trade, based on how work is actually performed and where gaps tend to appear.

    Some education is available now. Additional trade-specific education is created as companies and contractor groups engage with the program.

    Contractor education may also include visibility opportunities for insured contractors through our content and communication channels (e.g. blogs, email campaigns, social media, etc).

    • HVAC and mechanical contractors
    • Plumbers and electricians
    • Landscapers and outdoor service contractors
    • Truck drivers and transportation-based contractors
    • Barbers, stylists, and personal service professionals
    • Food truck owners and mobile food operators
    • Nail technicians and beauty professionals