Siding Contractor Insurance in Washington State

Siding contractors in Washington face a risk profile shaped by two dominant factors: working at height on the exterior of buildings and bearing responsibility for the building envelope's first line of defense against the Pacific Northwest's relentless moisture. Both create significant insurance exposure that demands comprehensive coverage.

Falls from ladders and scaffolding are the most immediate physical hazard. Siding installation requires sustained work at elevation across the entire exterior of a structure — often on ladders positioned on uneven terrain, in wind, or on surfaces wet from Washington's frequent rain. Unlike roofers who work on a single elevated plane, siding crews constantly reposition ladders and scaffolding as they move around the building, and each repositioning introduces fall risk.

Moisture intrusion behind siding represents the most significant completed operations risk for Washington siding contractors. The Puget Sound region receives 35-60 inches of rain annually, and any gap in the building envelope — improperly flashed windows, missed house wrap overlaps, inadequate caulking at penetrations — allows water behind the siding where it rots framing, grows mold, and damages insulation. These defects are invisible from the outside and may not become apparent for years, by which time the damage can require stripping the entire exterior to remediate. Washington's construction defect statute gives homeowners up to six years to bring claims, and moisture intrusion lawsuits against siding contractors routinely reach $50,000-$200,000 in damages.

Wind damage claims add another dimension. If siding you installed detaches during a windstorm and damages vehicles, neighboring property, or injures someone, your general liability and completed operations coverage responds. Washington's coastal and foothill communities experience significant wind events, and improperly fastened siding is a recurring source of claims in these areas.

Property damage during installation is common as well. Siding contractors work around windows, doors, landscaping, and exterior fixtures. Cracking a window with a misplaced nail, damaging gutters during ladder placement, or crushing landscaping with scaffolding generates frequent small claims that collectively impact your loss history and premium trajectory.