Excavation Insurance — dig with confidence.
Big iron, deep holes, and buried utilities: excavation carries serious exposures and serious equipment values. We cover both sides — the liability of the dig and the machines that do it.
Coverage you probably need
General Liability
Utility strikes, undermined structures, and third-party injuries around open excavation. What is general liability? →
Workers Compensation
Code 6217 — trenching and struck-by exposure set the rate; required with employees. What is workers compensation? →
Inland Marine (Equipment)
Excavators, dozers, and skid steers — often worth more than the liability limits. Agreed value beats depreciation fights. What is inland marine (equipment)? →
Commercial Auto
Dump trucks and lowboys hauling machines and material. What is commercial auto? →
What can go wrong
- A gas, fiber, or water line strike.
- A trench wall gives way.
- A machine rollover on a slope.
- Undermining a neighboring structure or roadway.
- Theft of a machine from an unfenced site.
What carriers usually ask
- Depths worked and shoring practices.
- 811 locate discipline and strike history.
- Equipment schedule with values.
- Hauling operations and radius.
- Site types: residential, commercial, municipal.
Common contract wording
Site-work contracts typically require $1M/$2M GL, auto, comp, and umbrella evidence, with additional insured and waiver of subrogation endorsements — often before mobilization.
State notes: Trench-safety enforcement and comp rates vary by state; documented shoring and locate practices are your best pricing lever everywhere.
Get covered for Excavation Insurance.
Start an instant quote, or have a licensed agent review your exact situation.
Start a quote Send to an agentExcavation Insurance FAQs
What happens to my rates after a utility strike?
One documented strike with corrective action is survivable; a pattern makes you unquotable. Locate tickets on file are the defense.
Should equipment be on agreed value?
For big iron, yes — it removes the depreciation argument when a machine burns or rolls.
Are rented machines covered?
Rented/leased equipment coverage exists for exactly that — tell us what you rent and when.
Municipal bid needs insurance evidence?
We produce bid-ready COIs and can add bonds through our surety partners.
Keep exploring
Coverage descriptions are general and vary by state and carrier. Final terms are confirmed at quote.