No, Angie’s List contractors aren’t automatically insured; ask each pro for current proof of liability and workers’ comp before you hire.
Angie’s List (shown as Angi on the site and app) is a marketplace for home services. It can help you compare pros, request quotes, and book certain jobs. The pros you contact are separate businesses, so their paperwork can differ a lot.
If you’re asking are angie’s list contractors insured?, the honest answer is: some are, some aren’t, and a badge or a five-star rating isn’t a stand-in for insurance proof.
Insurance is the part people skip when they’re tired of leaks, broken HVAC, or a half-finished remodel. Then a ladder slips, a pipe bursts, or a helper gets hurt, and the “who pays?” conversation gets messy fast.
This page lays out what “insured” means in plain terms, what you should verify on each job, and how to do it in minutes without turning it into a big production.
What To Verify Before You Hire Through Angi
| Item To Verify | What To Ask For | Risk It Cuts |
|---|---|---|
| General Liability Insurance | Certificate of insurance (COI) showing carrier, policy number, dates, limits | Property damage bills landing on you |
| Workers’ Compensation | Workers’ comp COI (or state exemption proof where allowed) | Injury claims tied to your home |
| License Status | License number, trade classification, active status | Unlicensed work and permit trouble |
| Bond | Bond number and issuer (if your trade/state uses bonding) | Non-performance on contracted work |
| Subcontractor Use | Names of subs plus their insurance proof | Unknown crews with no paperwork |
| Start Date And Crew Size | Who will be on site and when | Last-minute swaps and no-shows |
| Scope In Writing | Line-item scope, materials, cleanup, haul-away | Change-order surprises |
| Payment Terms | Deposit amount, milestones, final payment trigger | Paying big money before work exists |
| Warranty Terms | What’s covered, length, what voids it | “We’ll fix it” promises with no details |
Are Angie’s List Contractors Insured? What The Listing Shows
The listing page can tell you useful things: reviews, photos, services offered, and sometimes a badge that signals screening steps. Still, insurance is not one-size-fits-all, and it can change mid-year when a policy lapses or a business switches carriers.
Think of Angi as a starting filter, not a guarantee. The platform can remove bad actors and promote pros who meet certain standards, yet it’s still your job to confirm the paperwork for the job you’re hiring for.
That’s why you should treat “insured” as a claim that needs a document. No document, no deal. It’s the same rule you’d use when hiring through a neighbor’s referral or a social media post.
What “Insured” Usually Means On Home Projects
Most homeowners are looking for two buckets of insurance: general liability and workers’ compensation. A third item, a bond, gets mixed into the conversation a lot. A bond isn’t insurance for you in the same way, but it can matter.
General Liability Insurance
General liability is about damage and accidents tied to the contractor’s work. If a plumber floods a room, or a painter damages flooring, this is the policy type people expect to respond. Limits vary, and exclusions exist, so you still want the COI and a quick call to confirm the policy is active.
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ comp is about job-related injuries to the contractor’s workers. If a worker gets hurt on your property and the contractor lacks workers’ comp, the injury claim can turn into a finger-pointing contest that no homeowner wants.
Bonding
A bond is a separate tool tied to performance and compliance. In many trades, bonding is linked to licensing rules. If you’re hiring for a bigger job, ask whether a bond applies in your area and whether the pro carries one.
Angie’s List Contractor Insurance Checks Before You Hire
You don’t need a law degree to do this. You need a short script, two documents, and ten calm minutes.
Start with a simple request: “Please send your current certificate of insurance for general liability and workers’ comp.” If the pro replies with a screenshot that cuts off the carrier, the policy number, or the dates, ask again for the full COI PDF.
Next, scan the COI for four items: the business name, the policy dates, the limits, and the carrier name. If the business name on the COI doesn’t match the business you’re hiring, pause and ask why. Mix-ups happen. So do shady workarounds.
What A Clean Certificate Of Insurance Looks Like
- The insured name matches the company you hired (not a different company “we work with”).
- The effective and expiration dates include your project window.
- The carrier name and contact info are readable.
- Limits are shown for each policy type listed.
If you want one extra step that often clears up confusion, ask to be listed as the certificate holder for your project address. That pushes the COI through the contractor’s insurance agent, which is harder to fake and easier to confirm.
Fast Steps To Confirm Insurance Without Getting Awkward
Here’s a tight routine you can run before anyone sets foot on your property. It’s direct, polite, and it keeps you out of drama later.
- Ask for the COI early. Do it before you approve a start date.
- Match names. The COI insured name should match the quote and contract name.
- Check the dates. Your work dates should sit inside the policy term.
- Call the agent. Use the phone number shown on the COI. Ask, “Is this policy active today?”
- Confirm workers’ comp. If they claim an exemption, ask what rule allows it in your state and get the paperwork.
- Repeat for subs. If a different crew will show up, get their COI too.
If you want to see what Angi does and doesn’t screen for, read Angi’s background check criteria and treat it as a filter, not a full insurance audit.
For homeowner scam-avoidance habits that pair well with insurance checks, the NAIC contractor fraud tips are a solid checklist of warning signs and payment traps.
Why Some Pros Dodge The Insurance Question
Most legit contractors don’t mind the request. They’ve been asked a hundred times, and they know it’s part of doing business. When a pro pushes back, it tends to fall into a few patterns.
- They’re new. They might still be setting up a policy, which means you should wait.
- They’re cash-only. Some cash crews do fine work. Some vanish. Either way, you still need paperwork.
- They blur roles. They call everyone “1099” to dodge workers’ comp.
- They stall. “I’ll send it later” turns into a start date with no proof.
You’re not judging their character. You’re making sure your home and savings aren’t the backstop for someone else’s business choices.
When Platform Protections Help And Where They Stop
Marketplaces can offer perks: dispute paths, payment rails, and, on some bookings, limited guarantees tied to jobs booked and paid on the platform. Those perks can help with workmanship disputes, yet they aren’t the same as a contractor’s liability and workers’ comp insurance.
So treat platform protections as a bonus layer. Your main protection still comes from hiring a licensed pro (where required), getting the scope in writing, and verifying insurance for the people doing the work.
Questions To Ask And Red Flags To Watch
| Question | Good Sign | Red Flag |
|---|---|---|
| Can you email your general liability COI? | They send a full PDF from an agent | They send a cropped image with missing details |
| Do you carry workers’ comp for your crew? | Yes, and they send the COI | “My guys are contractors” with no documents |
| Who will be on site each day? | Names or roles are clear | “Whoever’s free” and no consistency |
| Do you pull permits when needed? | They explain the permit path | “Permits waste time” on regulated work |
| What’s the deposit and payment schedule? | Milestones tied to visible progress | Large upfront payment before materials arrive |
| What brand and model parts are included? | They list exact materials | “Whatever is cheapest” or no specifics |
| What happens if the schedule slips? | Clear plan and communication habit | Angry, vague, or blame-heavy answers |
Paperwork Moves That Cut Trouble Later
Once insurance is confirmed, the next friction point is scope creep. The simplest fix is a tight written scope and a clean change-order habit.
Ask for a quote that lists: labor, materials, disposal, site protection (dust walls, floor protection), and cleanup. If a line item isn’t written, assume it won’t happen or it will cost extra.
For changes mid-job, use one rule: no verbal changes. Text or email is fine. You want a record of what changed, the added cost, and the extra days. That keeps “I thought you meant…” out of your living room.
Deposits And Payment Timing
Small deposits are common for scheduling and materials. Big deposits without a clear materials plan are a different story. Tie payments to checkpoints you can see: demo finished, rough-in done, inspection passed, final walk-through complete.
If you pay through the platform, read the payment terms and keep every receipt. If you pay off-platform, use a traceable method. Cash is fine for a tip or a small add-on, not for the whole project.
If A Contractor Can’t Show Insurance
If a pro can’t provide current insurance proof, you have three clean options: wait, switch pros, or change the job scope to something that doesn’t put people at risk on your property. For most repairs and remodels, switching is the least stressful choice.
If you already scheduled the job and they stall on documents, pause the start date. A pro who runs a tight business will understand. A pro who gets angry is telling you something useful.
Quick Hiring Checklist You Can Use Today
Run this list once, and you’ll feel the difference. It’s short on purpose.
- Get a written scope with materials, cleanup, and timing.
- Get a general liability COI and confirm dates and business name.
- Get a workers’ comp COI (or valid exemption paperwork where allowed).
- Ask whether subs will be used and get their insurance proof too.
- Set payment checkpoints tied to visible progress.
- Save all texts, emails, photos, and receipts in one folder.
- Do a final walk-through and note fixes in writing before final payment.
So, are angie’s list contractors insured? Some are, and plenty run tight, professional shops. Your best move is simple: treat insurance as a document you verify, not a label you trust.