How do I check that a Vancouver contractor is properly insured?

Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before signing anything — this is the single most important document you can request from any contractor working on your home.

A Certificate of Insurance is a one-page summary issued by the contractor's insurance broker that shows their coverage types, policy limits, and expiry dates. Any legitimate contractor should be able to provide this within 24-48 hours of your request. If they hesitate, make excuses, or can't produce one, treat that as a serious red flag.

What Coverage to Look For

There are two essential types of insurance every Metro Vancouver contractor should carry. Commercial General Liability (CGL) protects you if the contractor damages your property or a third party gets injured during the work. For most residential projects, you want to see a minimum of $2 million per occurrence — many stratas and municipalities actually require this as a condition of permitting or building access. For larger projects ($500K+), $5 million is more appropriate.

The second is WorkSafeBC coverage, which is BC's workplace injury insurance. If a worker gets hurt on your property and the contractor doesn't have WorkSafeBC coverage, you could be held liable as the property owner. You can verify a contractor's WorkSafeBC status directly and for free at worksafebc.com — search their clearance letter tool using the contractor's business name or registration number. Always do this independently rather than just accepting a letter the contractor hands you.

How to Verify It's Real

Don't just glance at the certificate — actually read it. Check that the policy expiry date is current and will cover the full duration of your project. Confirm the named insured matches the company you're hiring (not a related company or a previous business name). You can also ask to be added as an additional insured on their CGL policy for the duration of your project — this is standard practice on larger jobs and gives you direct protection under their policy.

For specialty trades, there's an extra layer to check. Electrical and gas contractors must be licensed with Technical Safety BC (TSBC) — you can verify this at technicalsafetybc.ca. A licensed trade ticket is separate from insurance, but both matter. An unlicensed electrician or gas fitter working on your home creates serious liability and insurance complications if something goes wrong.

Vancouver-Specific Considerations

If you're in a strata (condo or townhouse), your strata council will almost certainly require proof of contractor insurance before allowing work to begin — usually $2M minimum liability. Get this sorted before your contractor shows up on move-in day. For any permitted work in Metro Vancouver, your municipal building department may also ask for proof of insurance as part of the permit process.

One final note: homeowner's insurance doesn't automatically cover contractor-caused damage. If an uninsured contractor floods your bathroom or damages a neighbour's property, you may be left holding the bill. The few minutes it takes to verify insurance can save you tens of thousands of dollars.

Browse verified contractors in our directory at the Vancouver Construction Network — a great starting point for finding professionals who carry proper coverage.