We analyzed over 200 excavation contractor insurance quotes from contractor-friendly insurers to reveal pricing patterns that help contractors benchmark premiums and identify savings opportunities. These quotes reflect three specific business profiles: $50,000 revenue (sole proprietor, no employees), $150,000 revenue (1 owner, 1 employee, 10% subcontractor costs), and $500,000 revenue (1 owner, 3 employees, 10% subcontractor costs, comprehensive safety protocols).
Our tech-enabled team of specialized agents understands excavation-specific challenges like class code 94007 operations and trenching hazards. The data reveals substantial cost variations between states and within markets, where favorable versus higher-end rates can differ by thousands of dollars annually.
Premium benchmarks only matter when paired with proper coverage, especially for excavation’s unique risks, such as trench collapses, utility strikes, and equipment accidents. Master the coverage fundamentals with our complete excavation contractor insurance guide before negotiating rates.
What You’ll Learn in This Guide:
- State-by-state premium benchmarks for excavation contractors at three revenue levels ($50K, $150K, $500K)
- Potential savings opportunities ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars annually
- Premium ranges as a percentage of revenue to help you evaluate if you’re overpaying
- Regional cost variations that impact your bottom line and expansion planning
- Strategies for qualifying for favorable rates versus higher-end pricing
Get your excavation contractor insurance quotes today through ContractorNerd’s proprietary platform and discover how our specialized approach can help you secure better coverage at competitive rates.
Jump to State
Arizona
The following table displays general liability insurance premiums for excavation contractors in Arizona with $1M/$2M coverage limits, showing premium ranges from 2.0% to 6.9% of revenue.
| Revenue Level | Average Premium | Favorable Premium | Higher-End Premium | Potential Savings |
| $50,000 | $2,660 | $1,890 | $3,270 | $1,380 |
| $150,000 | $6,320 | $4,110 | $10,360 | $6,250 |
| $500,000 | $18,570 | $10,230 | $31,210 | $20,980 |
In Arizona, typical work comp rates are $2.34 per $100 in payroll.
California
The following table shows general liability premiums for California excavation contractors with $1M/$2M coverage limits, with premium ranges as a percentage of revenue from 2.7% to 6.1%.
| Revenue Level | Average Premium | Favorable Premium | Higher-End Premium | Potential Savings |
| $50,000 | $2,930 | $2,790 | $3,070 | $280 |
| $150,000 | $5,820 | $4,740 | $6,900 | $2,160 |
| $500,000 | $15,500 | $13,550 | $17,450 | $3,900 |
In California, typical work comp rates are $4.65 per $100 in payroll.
Florida
The table below presents general liability insurance premiums for Florida excavation contractors with $1M/$2M coverage limits, showing premium ranges from 4.7% to 15.3% of revenue.
| Revenue Level | Average Premium | Favorable Premium | Higher-End Premium | Potential Savings |
| $50,000 | $5,220 | $2,800 | $7,640 | $4,840 |
| $150,000 | $7,190 | $7,190 | $7,190 | $0 |
| $500,000 | $23,430 | $23,430 | $23,430 | $0 |
In Florida, typical work comp rates are $5.21 per $100 in payroll.
Illinois
The following data shows general liability premiums for Illinois excavation contractors with $1M/$2M coverage limits, with premium ranges as a percentage of revenue from 1.2% to 24.4%.
| Revenue Level | Average Premium | Favorable Premium | Higher-End Premium | Potential Savings |
| $50,000 | $5,490 | $1,560 | $12,200 | $10,640 |
| $150,000 | $11,720 | $3,000 | $24,870 | $21,870 |
| $500,000 | $30,870 | $6,040 | $63,440 | $57,400 |
In Illinois, typical work comp rates are $5.40 per $100 in payroll.
Massachusetts
The table displays general liability insurance premiums for Massachusetts excavation contractors with $1M/$2M coverage limits, showing premium ranges from 2.0% to 9.3% of revenue.
| Revenue Level | Average Premium | Favorable Premium | Higher-End Premium | Potential Savings |
| $50,000 | $3,130 | $2,480 | $4,660 | $2,180 |
| $150,000 | $6,010 | $4,750 | $8,780 | $4,030 |
| $500,000 | $14,960 | $10,150 | $21,280 | $11,130 |
In Massachusetts, typical work comp rates are $4.32 per $100 in payroll.
Michigan
The following table presents general liability premiums for Michigan excavation contractors with $1M/$2M coverage limits, with premium ranges as a percentage of revenue from 0.8% to 8.8%.
| Revenue Level | Average Premium | Favorable Premium | Higher-End Premium | Potential Savings |
| $50,000 | $2,650 | $1,110 | $4,390 | $3,280 |
| $150,000 | $4,900 | $2,020 | $8,960 | $6,940 |
| $500,000 | $13,120 | $3,780 | $22,860 | $19,080 |
In Michigan, typical work comp rates are $4.15 per $100 in payroll.
North Carolina
The data below shows general liability insurance premiums for North Carolina excavation contractors with $1M/$2M coverage limits, showing premium ranges from 0.7% to 5.6% of revenue.
| Revenue Level | Average Premium | Favorable Premium | Higher-End Premium | Potential Savings |
| $50,000 | $1,630 | $930 | $2,800 | $1,870 |
| $150,000 | $2,700 | $1,900 | $3,700 | $1,800 |
| $500,000 | $7,080 | $3,580 | $10,950 | $7,370 |
In North Carolina, typical work comp rates are $4.72 per $100 in payroll.
Pennsylvania
The following table displays general liability premiums for Pennsylvania excavation contractors with $1M/$2M coverage limits, with premium ranges as a percentage of revenue from 1.6% to 11.9%.
| Revenue Level | Average Premium | Favorable Premium | Higher-End Premium | Potential Savings |
| $50,000 | $3,490 | $1,590 | $5,940 | $4,350 |
| $150,000 | $7,410 | $3,650 | $11,830 | $8,180 |
| $500,000 | $21,160 | $7,860 | $30,090 | $22,230 |
In Pennsylvania, typical work comp rates are $3.86 per $100 in payroll.
Texas
The table shows general liability insurance premiums for Texas excavation contractors with $1M/$2M coverage limits, showing premium ranges from 2.1% to 5.9% of revenue.
| Revenue Level | Average Premium | Favorable Premium | Higher-End Premium | Potential Savings |
| $50,000 | $2,770 | $2,550 | $2,970 | $420 |
| $150,000 | $5,570 | $5,200 | $6,190 | $990 |
| $500,000 | $14,280 | $10,710 | $16,680 | $5,970 |
In Texas, typical work comp rates are $3.80 per $100 in payroll.
Virginia
The following data presents general liability premiums for Virginia excavation contractors with $1M/$2M coverage limits, with premium ranges as a percentage of revenue from 0.8% to 4.5%.
| Revenue Level | Average Premium | Favorable Premium | Higher-End Premium | Potential Savings |
| $50,000 | $1,690 | $1,140 | $2,230 | $1,090 |
| $150,000 | $3,170 | $2,040 | $3,790 | $1,750 |
| $500,000 | $7,690 | $3,840 | $10,720 | $6,880 |
In Virginia, typical work comp rates are $3.55 per $100 in payroll.
Washington
The table below shows general liability insurance premiums for Washington excavation contractors with $1M/$2M coverage limits, showing premium ranges from 4.1% to 8.8% of revenue.
| Revenue Level | Average Premium | Favorable Premium | Higher-End Premium | Potential Savings |
| $50,000 | $3,670 | $2,950 | $4,400 | $1,450 |
| $150,000 | $7,770 | $7,490 | $8,060 | $570 |
| $500,000 | $20,520 | $20,370 | $20,660 | $290 |
In Washington, typical work comp rates are $4.81 per $100 in payroll.
Maximize Your Savings with ContractorNerd
These dramatic cost variations demonstrate why choosing the right insurance partner matters. ContractorNerd’s proprietary quote platform connects you with contractor-friendly insurers who understand excavation risks and reward well-managed operations with favorable rates.
Our tech-enabled team of specialized agents knows how to position your business for the best pricing. We understand that your safety protocols, equipment maintenance, and trenching procedures directly impact your rates—and we help you document these qualifications for insurers who value them.
Don’t leave money on the table. Get your excavation contractor insurance quotes today through ContractorNerd’s platform. Our specialized agents are ready to help you access competitive markets and capture the savings these benchmarks reveal. Start comparing quotes now and join excavation contractors nationwide who trust ContractorNerd for better coverage at better rates.