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Across the nation, utility lines, tunnels, and structures run under our feet, Each year, excavators strike approximately 700,000 of these underground lines, often triggering potentially fatal accident (from steam, gas, propane, or electricity). A single strike might easily cost a contractor hundreds of thousands, or millions, if the accident leads to an interruption of service that shuts down a factory, hospital, telecommunication lines– even a missile silo. In most cases, insurance will not cover these losses. To deal with this threat, the Common Ground Alliance coordinates 811 --Call before You Dig, a nationwide phone and online system that contractors can use to notify local utilities so they can "mark out" their facilities before excavation of anything from to a sewer to a subway. These markouts are required under state law. When you use the call 811.com system, bear in mind that: It doesn't matter where you are - downtown, in the middle of a suburban street, or building a private home. Call even if you're confident that you know where something is buried (for example, if you installed the line); many contractors dig up lines that have just put in. Instead of marking the area with wooden stakes - which are all too easy to drive through gas lines - use white paint or "feathers;" even the most shallow excavation can be hazardous. Remember, failing to contact 811.com before every excavation violates the law - and leaves you wide open to huge liability losses. Don't take a chance your odds of losing in the Underground Damage Casino! To learn more, just get in touch with the Construction Insurance Specialists at our agency.

Policy Highlights: Colonial General Insurance Agency, Inc. offers property and liability coverages on a mono-line or package basis for contractors who perform excavation and land grading operations. This program is tailored to contractors and operators engaged in site preparation, lot grading, trenching and similar earthwork. It is not intended for public street or road construction, mining operations, installation or removal of underground tanks, landfills, dam or tunnel construction, or snow removal operations. Overview of the Excavation Insurance Program from Colonial General Insurance Agency, Inc. This program provides flexible solutions for agents placing excavation and grading risks. Available through Colonial General as a managing general agent and excess & surplus lines broker, the program offers both property and commercial general liability coverages with admitted and non-admitted market access depending on the state and risk profile. Carriers vary by account and there are selective admitted markets where available. Ideal Accounts and Appetite Small to mid-sized excavation and grading contractors Operators performing site work for residential and commercial developments (excluding public road or heavy civil projects) Contractors that own and operate their equipment and require contractor's equipment coverage Accounts needing package solutions combining property, equipment, and liability limits Typically not a fit: large heavy civil contractors, mining, tunnel or dam work, landfill operators, underground tank removal projects, public street/road construction, or snow removal operations. Coverage Highlights and Advantages Coverage options are designed for placement flexibility and include: Property Coverage available for excavation insurance: • Accounts Receivable • Basic, Broad, or Special Form • Building • Business Income • Business Personal Property • Computer Equipment • Contractor's Equipment • Equipment Breakdown • Outside Signs • Replacement Cost or Actual Cash Value • Valuable Papers Commercial General Liability Coverage available: • Primary limits up to $3 million occurrence and aggregate • $5,000 Medical Payments Coverage—Included • Additional Interests—$100 each • Excess or Umbrella limits up to $25 million • $1,000 minimum deductible required Crime Coverage available: • Inside the Premises—Theft of Money and Securities • Inside the Premises—Robbery or Safe Burglary of Other Property • Outside the Premises Underwriting Notes and Minimum Requirements Minimum deductible: $1,000 (as a program requirement for liability placement). Limits: primary GL available up to $3M with umbrella/excess options to $25M—subject to carrier approval. Underwriting focuses on experience, loss history, scope of operations, equipment values, and site-specific exposures (e.g., shoring, trenching near utilities). Submission requirements typically include contractor’s application, loss runs, equipment schedule, and a description of operations and project types. Territories and Availability Available in AZ, CA, CO, ID, NV, NM, UT, and WY. Some coverages are offered through admitted markets where available; other placements may be written non-admitted depending on state and carrier appetite. Why Work With Colonial General on Excavation Business Specialized underwriting for excavation and grading contractors through an experienced MGA/E&S broker. Package capability to combine property, equipment, crime and liability coverages for a more complete placement. Access to multiple carrier markets to secure competitive limits, including umbrella/excess follow-form options. Practical appetite guidance to help you avoid non-fit accounts and improve placement speed. Sample accounts that fit this program A residential site contractor performing grading, pad preparation and utility trenching for single-family lots with owned compactors, excavators and skid steers. A commercial site work subcontractor hired for earthmoving and drainage installation on a shopping center project (non-public road work), requiring contractor’s equipment and GL limits with an umbrella. Submission Tips Provide a detailed operations description and equipment schedule up front. Include five years of loss runs when available and explain any recent large losses. Identify any subcontracted work and whether the insured performs utility excavation or trench shoring. Note project types that are excluded by the program (public roads, mining, tunnels, landfills, etc.) to avoid delays. Frequently Asked Questions What types of excavation contractors are a good fit for this program?Contractors focused on site preparation, lot grading, trenching and general earthwork for residential and commercial projects (not public road or heavy civil work) are the primary fit. Those who own and operate their equipment and have manageable loss history are preferred. What limits and deductibles can I expect to place?Primary GL limits are available up to $3 million (occurrence and aggregate) with excess/umbrella capacity to $25 million. The program requires a $1,000 minimum deductible for liability; specific deductible and limit combinations depend on carrier underwriting. Are there operations or exposures that this program will not accept?Yes. Typical exclusions include public street/road construction, mining, tunnel or dam construction, landfills, underground tank installation/removal, and snow removal operations. Large heavy civil or specialty hazardous operations are also outside the appetite. What documentation should I include with a submission?Provide a completed application, current equipment schedule, five years of loss runs, and a clear description of operations and project types. Notes on subcontractor use and safety/shoring procedures help expedite underwriting. Is this program admitted in all states listed?Colonial General places coverage through admitted markets where available and uses non-admitted markets as needed. Availability varies by state—AZ, CA, CO, ID, NV, NM, UT and WY are served by the program. Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.

As an excavation contractor, your clients encounter significant jobsite hazards every time they break ground. From back strains and soft-tissue injuries to severe accidents involving heavy equipment, the exposures are real—and so is the need for dependable Workers Compensation. Novatae Risk Group, working with Empire’s specialized contractors team, offers a focused Excavation Workers Compensation Insurance Program to help you place this challenging class of business. This program is underwritten specifically for excavation and similar high-hazard operations. Whether a client is a start-up, has a history of large losses, or has been declined elsewhere, our underwriting team will evaluate submissions and craft appropriate solutions. We place business with many "A"-rated carriers and access both admitted and non-admitted markets depending on state and risk profile. Contact us at 800-758-8113 to speak with our brokers about Excavation Workers Compensation accounts. Ideal Accounts and Appetite: Experience MODs of 1.30 or greater High-hazard or hard-to-place classifications (excavation, trenching, site prep) Blue, gray, and white collar job types on the same payrolls Accounts currently in state pools or assigned risk funds Distressed, lapsed, or non-renewed accounts New ventures with no prior coverage Multi-state operations — we have market expertise here Other hard-to-place Workers Compensation risks Example fits: a regional excavation contractor with a recent large loss seeking a stable market solution; or a multi-state site-preparation firm moving out of a state fund and needing coordinated coverage across jurisdictions. Coverage Highlights and Advantages: Fast turnaround on quotes and binding for time-sensitive accounts Access to numerous "A"-rated carriers across admitted and E&S markets Standalone Workers Compensation placements tailored to operations Guaranteed cost, dividend, and retrospective (retro) plans available High-deductible and alternative cost-control options Integrated claim handling and custom program servicing Underwriting Requirements: Completed ACORD 130 application 3–4 years of loss runs Details on any large or open losses Supplemental questionnaire when applicable Minimum Premium and Availability: Minimum premium for the program starts at $10,000. We underwrite accounts in most states — including, but not limited to, CA, FL, TX, NY, and PA — and can place business nationwide depending on carrier appetite and the risk profile. Why Work with Novatae Risk Group? Novatae Risk Group is a Managing General Underwriter and Excess & Surplus Lines Broker with deep experience placing tough Workers Compensation risks. We understand the underwriting and operational challenges brokers face when placing excavation accounts. With broad market access, flexible underwriting, and responsive service, we help you protect clients while keeping accounts competitive. Need an Excavation Workers Compensation quote? Email [email protected] with submission materials or call 800-758-8113 to speak with an underwriter immediately. Frequently Asked Questions What types of accounts are a good fit for this program?The program fits excavation contractors with elevated MODs, prior large losses, new ventures, multi-state operations, or those who have been lapsed or non-renewed. It’s built for high-hazard and hard-to-place exposures. Can you help with clients in the state risk pool?Yes. We frequently move accounts out of state pools and into tailored Workers Compensation solutions using competitive admitted and non-admitted markets. What information do you need to get a quote?Provide a completed ACORD 130, 3–4 years of loss runs, details on any large or open losses, and a supplemental questionnaire if requested. Is the program available nationwide?Yes — the program is available in most states, including CA, TX, FL, and NY. We can write in all 50 states and DC depending on carrier availability and the specific risk details. Do you work with new ventures that have no prior coverage?Absolutely. We have markets that will consider start-ups in the excavation and site-work trades. Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.