https://completemarkets.com/company/novatae/general-liability-for-metal-erection-contractors/
https://completemarkets.com/company/colonialgeneral/Woodworking-Insurance/
Woodworking Insurance — Colonial General Insurance Agency, Inc.
Overview of the Program
Colonial General Insurance Agency, Inc. offers a dedicated Woodworking Insurance program for agents placing coverage for cabinetmakers, furniture manufacturers, window and door shops, millwork operations and related woodworking contractors. This program provides both property and liability solutions on a mono-line or package basis and can be placed through admitted markets where available or on an excess & surplus basis as needed.
Ideal Accounts and Appetite
This program works well for small- to mid-sized woodworking and millwork operations that perform design/build, installation and manufacturing for residential and light commercial clients. Typical accounts include:
Custom cabinet shops and furniture makers
Window and door fabricators and installers
Millwork shops producing trim, moulding and architectural components
Contractors who both manufacture and install finished goods
The program is geared toward operations with standard woodworking exposures (saws, routers, finishing operations, assembly) and reasonable loss histories. It is generally not intended for heavy industrial wood product manufacturers, high-hazard specialty processes, or accounts with frequent/large recent losses.
Coverage Highlights and Advantages
Underwriters provide flexible options to match the account’s exposures. Key highlights include:
Commercial General Liability — Primary limits available up to $3,000,000 occurrence/aggregate
Hired and Non-Owned Auto coverage available
Medical Payments coverage with a $5,000 limit included
Additional interests can be named
Excess/Umbrella limits up to $25,000,000
Property coverage options: Basic, Broad, or Special form; building, contents, business income
Specialized property add-ons: Bailees’ Customer, Contractors’ Equipment, Installation Floater, Accounts Receivable, Valuable Papers
Equipment Breakdown and Outside Signs available
Replacement Cost or Actual Cash Value valuation
Crime coverage options: inside the premises (theft of money and securities), inside premises robbery or safe burglary of other property, and outside the premises
Minimum $500 deductible required
Underwriting Notes and Typical Submission Requirements
Colonial General’s underwriting team evaluates operations by process, revenue mix, and controls. Common factors they consider include finishing operations (spray booths), dust collection and housekeeping, flammable solvent storage, installation exposures, and bailee/customer exposures.
To accelerate review, provide a clear description of operations, years in business, estimated annual receipts or payroll, and recent loss history. Underwriters commonly request a completed application and loss runs; they may also ask for photos of the workspace and protection details for facilities using spray finishes or large finishing systems.
Territories and Admitted Status
This program is available in: AZ, CA, CO, ID, NV, NM, UT, WY. Colonial General places coverage through multiple markets — admitted where offered and excess & surplus lines where necessary. The admitted status varies by state and by carrier ("Some Available Markets").
Why Place Woodworking Business Through Colonial General?
Specialized focus — underwriting that understands woodworking operations and the common loss drivers for small and mid-size shops.
Flexible placement — access to a range of admitted and E&S markets and ability to package property and liability with ancillary coverages like bailee and installation floaters.
Competitive limit options — higher primary limits and significant umbrella capacity for contractors who need broader protection.
Responsive underwriting — practical risk mitigation guidance and tailored terms for accounts with standard controls.
Example Accounts
You might have a client who operates a local cabinet shop with light installation services and modest annual receipts — this program can provide packaged property and liability with bailee coverage for customer goods. Or you could place a larger regional millwork shop that needs higher liability limits, an installation floater and contractors’ equipment coverage while protecting customer property with bailee’s coverage.
For submission help or to confirm market availability in a specific state, contact Colonial General’s underwriting desk through your regular wholesale channels. Colonial General acts as a Managing General Agency and Excess & Surplus Lines Broker with multiple carrier relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of woodworking accounts are a good fit for this program?The program targets small- to mid-sized woodworking and millwork operations — cabinetmakers, furniture shops, window and door fabricators, and install-focused contractors. Shops with standard woodworking processes and reasonable loss history are preferred.
Are admitted markets available or is this E&S only?Colonial General places business in both admitted and excess & surplus markets. Availability depends on state and carrier appetite; some markets are admitted while others are written on an E&S basis.
What limits and key coverages can I expect?Commercial General Liability primary limits are available up to $3,000,000 occurrence/aggregate. Excess or umbrella capacity can go up to $25,000,000. Property, bailee’s customer, installation floaters, equipment breakdown and crime coverages are also available. A minimum $500 deductible is required.
What underwriting information should I include with a submission?Include a description of operations, estimated annual receipts or payroll, years in business, and current loss runs. Underwriters will also want to know about finishing operations, dust control, storage of flammables, and whether the client performs installations or has bailee exposures.
Which states does the program serve?The program is available in AZ, CA, CO, ID, NV, NM, UT and WY. Market availability and admitted status can vary by state.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.