Georgia Contractor Insurance Requirements
Georgia requires workers' compensation for employers with three or more employees, enforced by the State Board of Workers' Compensation. The Georgia Secretary of State licenses contractors, and proof of insurance is required for most commercial contractor license applications. Georgia's construction boom — particularly in Metro Atlanta — has led to heightened COI scrutiny, with property managers increasingly requiring $1M/$2M GL with completed operations and primary/non-contributory language.
Georgia COI Requirements at a Glance
The following table summarizes the minimum insurance requirements for contractors operating in Georgia. Commercial property managers often require limits above state minimums.
| Coverage Type | Minimum / Status |
|---|---|
| General Liability (per occurrence) | $500,000 |
| General Liability (aggregate) | $1,000,000 |
| Workers' Compensation | Mandatory 3+ employees |
| Umbrella / Excess Liability | Commonly Required on Large Projects Common minimum: $1,000,000 |
| Additional Insured Endorsement | Commonly Required |
| Waiver of Subrogation | Commonly Required |
Coverage Notes
GL: Georgia contractor licensing requires $500K per occurrence minimum. Commercial property managers in Atlanta typically require $1M/$2M.
WC: O.C.G.A. § 34-9-2 requires WC for employers with 3+ employees. Corporate officers are counted in the employee total unless they are the sole shareholder.
Umbrella: Required on most commercial projects in Metro Atlanta. State DOT projects require $1M excess.
Additional Insured: Standard in commercial property management. Atlanta market often requires additional insured plus completed operations.
Waiver of Subrogation: Standard on commercial contracts in Georgia.
Georgia-Specific Laws & Regulations
These laws directly affect how contractor insurance requirements are structured in Georgia. Property managers should be familiar with these statutes when reviewing vendor COIs.
O.C.G.A. § 34-9-2 (Workers' Compensation Act)
Requires WC for employers with 3+ employees. The State Board of Workers' Compensation administers enforcement.
Georgia COI Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from property managers and contractors about insurance requirements in Georgia.
Do contractors in Georgia need workers' compensation?
Georgia requires workers' compensation for employers with three or more employees (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-2). Contractors with 1–2 employees are not required to carry WC, though property managers should still request a WC certificate or written confirmation of exempt status.
What are the minimum insurance requirements for contractors in Georgia?
Georgia contractor licensing requires at least $500,000 per occurrence GL. Commercial property managers — particularly in Metro Atlanta — typically require $1M/$2M GL with additional insured endorsements and completed operations coverage.
What GL limits should I require for Atlanta contractors in Georgia?
The Atlanta commercial property market standard is $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate GL, plus workers' compensation, additional insured (including completed operations), and waiver of subrogation. Many large multi-family operators also require $2M umbrella.
How do I verify a contractor's insurance in Georgia?
Request a current ACORD 25 certificate of insurance listing your entity as additional insured. Verify the policy numbers are active with the insurer, and check that the WC policy is listed if the contractor has 3 or more employees. COIPulse's AI grader can score Georgia COIs against your compliance requirements automatically.
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