Am I liable if tile I installed cracks six months later?

Possibly — if the crack is attributable to improper installation (incorrect adhesive, improper substrate preparation, insufficient expansion joints, grout failure), you can face a property damage claim under your GL completed operations coverage. If the crack is attributable to structural settlement or defective tile (manufacturer defect), your liability is limited. Document everything: substrate condition before installation (photograph it), adhesive lot numbers, manufacturer installation specs followed, and expansion joint placement. This documentation is your defense.

What if water leaks through tile I installed in a shower?

A shower leak is a serious completed operations claim. If the leak is caused by improper waterproofing membrane installation, missing grout, or failed caulk at transitions — all installer errors — your GL covers the resulting water damage. Shower leak claims compound: water damage to walls, subfloor, and adjacent rooms, mold remediation, and full shower demo/rebuild. A $500 grout error can become a $15,000–$30,000 claim. Risk reduction: use manufacturer-approved waterproofing systems, have flood tests documented, and photograph completed waterproofing before tile installation.

Do I need GL if I am a solo tile setter with no employees?

Yes — GL is essential regardless of employee count. As a solo tile setter, every job creates property damage risk, and GC contracts almost universally require GL certificates before you can start work on any commercial or residential remodeling project. You also need GL to pull permits in many jurisdictions. A basic GL policy for a solo tile setter typically runs $80–$130/month — a modest cost relative to the risk of one broken marble floor or flooded bathroom.

Does my GL cover tile cracked by another subcontractor after I laid it?

GL covers damage caused by your operations — not damage caused by others. If another subcontractor cracks your tile installation, you have a property damage claim against that subcontractor's GL, not a claim on your own policy. This is why requiring certificates of insurance (COIs) from other subs on the job site matters — it documents that they have GL coverage to pursue in the event of damage to your work. If you are a GC coordinating subs, your own GL has a 'care, custody, and control' exclusion that limits coverage for property damage caused by your subs.

Am I liable if tile I installed cracks six months later?

Possibly — if the crack is attributable to improper installation (incorrect adhesive, improper substrate preparation, insufficient expansion joints, grout failure), you can face a property damage claim under your GL completed operations coverage. If the crack is attributable to structural settlement or defective tile (manufacturer defect), your liability is limited. Document everything: substrate condition before installation (photograph it), adhesive lot numbers, manufacturer installation specs followed, and expansion joint placement. This documentation is your defense.

What if water leaks through tile I installed in a shower?

A shower leak is a serious completed operations claim. If the leak is caused by improper waterproofing membrane installation, missing grout, or failed caulk at transitions — all installer errors — your GL covers the resulting water damage. Shower leak claims compound: water damage to walls, subfloor, and adjacent rooms, mold remediation, and full shower demo/rebuild. A $500 grout error can become a $15,000–$30,000 claim. Risk reduction: use manufacturer-approved waterproofing systems, have flood tests documented, and photograph completed waterproofing before tile installation.

Do I need GL if I am a solo tile setter with no employees?

Yes — GL is essential regardless of employee count. As a solo tile setter, every job creates property damage risk, and GC contracts almost universally require GL certificates before you can start work on any commercial or residential remodeling project. You also need GL to pull permits in many jurisdictions. A basic GL policy for a solo tile setter typically runs $80–$130/month — a modest cost relative to the risk of one broken marble floor or flooded bathroom.

Does my GL cover tile cracked by another subcontractor after I laid it?

GL covers damage caused by your operations — not damage caused by others. If another subcontractor cracks your tile installation, you have a property damage claim against that subcontractor's GL, not a claim on your own policy. This is why requiring certificates of insurance (COIs) from other subs on the job site matters — it documents that they have GL coverage to pursue in the event of damage to your work. If you are a GC coordinating subs, your own GL has a 'care, custody, and control' exclusion that limits coverage for property damage caused by your subs.

Trades

Business Insurance for Tile Setters

Cracked floors, damaged walls, grouting errors — tile work gone wrong can cost $10,000+ to repair. Here's what insurance protects you.

$90–$260/ monthSolo tile setter with truck: $90–$170/month for GL + commercial auto + tools coverage. Tile contractor with 2–4 employees: $200–$400/month adding WC.

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Coverage Types for Tile Setters

These are the key insurance policies most relevant to your business type — ranked by importance.

🛡️

General Liability

Required

Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage. A cracked marble floor, a grout spill that stains a countertop, or a customer who trips over your equipment — GL covers the claim. Most GC contracts and permits require $1M GL minimum.

🦺

Workers Compensation

Required

Required in most states with employees. Tile setters face knee, hip, and back injuries from sustained kneeling and bending, tile cuts, chemical burns from grout and adhesive, and slip-and-fall hazards on wet tile surfaces.

🚗

Commercial Auto

Required

Covers your truck or van used to transport tile, tools, and equipment to job sites. Personal auto excludes business use. Tool theft from job site vehicles is a frequent claim for tile contractors.

🔧

Inland Marine (Tools & Equipment)

Highly Recommended

Covers tile saws, grinders, mixers, and hand tools on job sites and in transit. A tile saw alone can cost $500–$3,000+ to replace. Standard GL does not cover your tools.

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What You Need to Know

→Property damage during tile work is your biggest GL exposure — one cracked custom marble tile can cost $500+ to source and replace, and access damage (removing surrounding tile to fix one) multiplies quickly.
→Completed operations coverage (included in GL) covers claims after the job is done — a tile installation that fails 6 months later due to improper substrate prep is a completed operations claim.
→Waterproofing is a major liability area — if you tile a shower without proper waterproofing membrane and the shower leaks into the walls, the resulting mold remediation claim can be substantial.
→Subcontractor agreements should require certificate of insurance — if you hire help, their accidents on your job site can become your GL claim without a COI from them.
→Kneepad use reduces WC claims — document safety protocols to support WC rate negotiations at renewal.

What Does It Cost?

$90–$260per month

Solo tile setter with truck: $90–$170/month for GL + commercial auto + tools coverage. Tile contractor with 2–4 employees: $200–$400/month adding WC.

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Instant

Certificate of insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

Tile contractors need: General Liability (covers property damage and injury during and after the job — completed operations coverage is included in GL); Workers Compensation (required in most states with employees — covers common tile setter injuries like knee/back strain, tile cuts, and chemical exposure); Commercial Auto (covers your vehicle and equipment transport); and Inland Marine for tools. If you work as a subcontractor to GCs, the GC's contract will typically specify minimum GL limits — often $1M per occurrence, $2M aggregate.

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