Overview — Colonial General Insurance Agency, Inc.
Colonial General Insurance Agency, Inc. offers the Communications Equipment Contractors Program—Residential Insurance to help agents place property and liability coverage for contractors who install, service, and repair residential communications systems. This program is designed specifically for small to mid-size contractors working on television cable, satellite dishes, home networking and computer equipment, telephones, and related electrical communications apparatus.
Policy Highlights:
Property and liability coverages are available on a mono-line or package basis for contractors engaged in residential installation, service and repair of communications systems such as television cable and satellite dishes, computers, telephones, and other electrical apparatus related to communications.
Commercial General Liability Coverage available
- Primary limits up to $3,000,000 occurrence/aggregate
- Errors & Omissions (E&O) coverage part — policy limits available
- Excess/umbrella limits up to $25,000,000
- Included coverages:
- Additional interests
- Medical payments — $5,000 limit
- Lost key coverage — $25,000 limit
- Property damage extension (care, custody and control) — policy limits up to a maximum of $200,000 per occurrence / $300,000 aggregate
- No deductible required (subject to underwriting)
Property Coverage available
- Accounts receivable
- Basic, broad, or special form
- Building and business personal property
- Business income
- Computer equipment
- Contractor’s equipment
- Equipment breakdown
- Outside signs
- Replacement cost or actual cash value
- Valuable papers
Crime Coverage available
- Inside the premises — theft of money and securities
- Inside the premises — robbery or safe burglary of other property
- Outside the premises
Ideal Accounts and Appetite
This program is a fit for independent contractors and small companies that primarily perform residential communications work: satellite and cable installation, home audio/video and networking, telephone and low-voltage data wiring, and similar services. Typical insureds are mobile crews or small shops with limited storage of client property and minimal exposures from heavy construction operations.
Generally not a fit: large commercial contractors, businesses performing extensive structural or high-voltage electrical work, significant fiber-splicing projects with elevated third-party exposure, or accounts with frequent high-value subcontractor liability without proper controls.
Coverage Advantages
- Broad limit options for GL and excess/umbrella to accommodate growing contractors
- E&O coverage available — important for installation and service errors
- Property forms and equipment coverage tailored for contractor tools and mobile operations
- Optional crime coverages to address theft and employee-related loss exposures
- Available on admitted and excess & surplus lines markets depending on state — see availability below
Underwriting Notes
Underwriters will review payroll, annual receipts, percentage of residential vs. commercial work, subcontractor usage, driving records for mobile crews, and loss history. Premium and terms vary by state and carrier; carriers for this program vary by risk. No minimum premium is published on this page — contact Colonial General for current submission guidelines and markets.
Example accounts
- A two-crew residential satellite and TV installer with under $1M in receipts, company-owned trucks, and a modest tool inventory — potential fit for package GL + property + E&O.
- A small home networking/IT contractor who performs in-home installs and provides limited on-site service agreements — fits well with GL limits and E&O coverage for installation errors.
Territories and Admitted Status
States available: AZ, CA, CO, ID, NV, NM, UT, WY. Markets vary by state; Colonial General places business through admitted and excess & surplus markets depending on the carrier and risk characteristics (Some Available Markets).
Why Work With Colonial General
- Specialized program focused on communications equipment contractors, with program terms and endorsements tailored to common exposures in this niche.
- Access to multiple carriers and capacity for primary, E&O, and large umbrella limits.
- Flexible package options — mono-line or combined property/liability placements.
- Experienced underwriting that understands trade practices for residential installers and service providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of accounts are a good fit for this program?
Small to mid-size contractors who focus on residential communications work — TV/cable/satellite installers, home networking/IT installers, telephone and low-voltage wiring contractors — with primarily in-home work and limited heavy construction exposures.
What limits and coverages can I access?
General liability primary limits are available up to $3,000,000 occurrence/aggregate, E&O coverage at policy limits, and excess/umbrella up to $25,000,000. Property, equipment, and crime coverages are also available in various forms.
Are policies admitted or non-admitted?
Availability depends on the state and the carrier — Colonial General places accounts in both admitted and excess & surplus markets as appropriate (Some Available Markets). Underwriting will determine the best market for each risk.
What information should I include with a submission?
Provide a completed application, loss run for the past 3–5 years, revenue breakdown (residential vs. commercial), payroll and subcontractor detail, vehicle list and driving records for mobile crews, and a description of equipment and storage practices. Colonial General can provide detailed submission requirements for the target carrier.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.