What minimum liability coverage should my Vancouver paver crew carry?

Professional interlock contractors in Metro Vancouver should carry a minimum of $2 million in general liability insurance, though many experienced contractors carry $5 million or more. This coverage protects both the contractor and you as the homeowner against property damage, personal injury claims, and third-party liability that can arise during hardscaping projects.

General liability insurance is essential because interlock and hardscape work involves heavy equipment, excavation, material delivery, and structural work that can cause significant property damage if something goes wrong. A plate compactor that damages your neighbor's foundation, a delivery truck that cracks your driveway, or a retaining wall failure that causes slope instability are all scenarios where liability coverage becomes critical. In Metro Vancouver's dense urban environment where properties are close together, the risk of collateral damage to neighboring properties is particularly high.

WorkSafeBC coverage is mandatory for all professional contractors in British Columbia and is separate from general liability insurance. Every legitimate interlock contractor must have active WorkSafeBC registration and coverage. This protects workers injured on your property and protects you from liability if a worker is hurt during your project. Always verify a contractor's WorkSafeBC registration number and confirm their coverage is current before work begins. You can check this online through WorkSafeBC's website using their registration number.

Additional coverage to look for includes errors and omissions insurance (covers mistakes in design or installation), completed operations coverage (protects against claims arising after the work is finished), and property damage coverage specifically for underground utilities. In Metro Vancouver, where many properties have underground sprinkler systems, gas lines, electrical service, and fiber optic cables, utility damage coverage is particularly valuable.

Bonding provides additional protection for larger projects, especially retaining walls over $10,000 or complete landscape renovations. A bonded contractor has posted a surety bond that guarantees project completion even if the contractor defaults. While not always necessary for standard patio or walkway installations, bonding adds security for major hardscape investments.

Get proof of insurance before work begins and verify that the policy is current and covers the specific work being performed on your property. A legitimate contractor will provide a certificate of insurance from their broker without hesitation. Be wary of contractors who claim to be "insured" but cannot provide documentation, or who offer significantly lower prices that may reflect inadequate insurance coverage.

For strata properties, many strata corporations require contractors to carry higher liability limits ($5-10 million) and name the strata corporation as an additional insured party. Check your strata's alteration agreement requirements before hiring any contractor for interlock work on strata-governed property.

Need help finding properly insured interlock contractors? Vancouver Interlock can match you with experienced, fully covered professionals from the Vancouver Construction Network who meet all BC insurance and WorkSafeBC requirements.