← Back to dun

Hiring a Contractor?
Protect Yourself First.

dun connects you with independent service providers — we are not an employer, and we do not supervise or guarantee any contractor's work. That's why choosing a properly insured and licensed vendor is one of the most important decisions you'll make.

Platform Disclaimer

dun is a marketplace platform. We facilitate the connection between clients and independent contractors but are not a party to any service agreement. We do not verify, endorse, or guarantee the quality, safety, legality, or outcome of any work performed. By using this platform, you acknowledge that you are responsible for independently evaluating and selecting service providers.

Why Insurance Matters

  • If an uninsured contractor damages your property, you may have no legal recourse and could be left paying for repairs out of pocket.
  • If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor has no Workers' Compensation, you could be held liable as the property owner.
  • A properly insured contractor protects both you and them — it's a sign of a legitimate, professional operation.

What to Ask For

Ask any contractor to send you a Certificate of Liability Insurance (COI)— a standardized one-page ACORD 25 form their insurance carrier can generate in minutes. Here's what a complete, properly-covered contractor COI looks like:

CERTIFICATE OF LIABILITY INSURANCEACORD 25 — Sample

Insured

Example Services LLC

123 Contractor Ave

Indianapolis, IN 46239

Insurers Affording Coverage

Insurer A: Third Coast Insurance Company

Insurer B: Sutton Specialty Insurance Co.

Insurer C: Accident Fund Ins Co of America

LtrType of InsurancePolicy NumberEffectiveExpiresLimits
A

Commercial General Liability

Occurrence Form · A Rated

ISCSP00000382512/10/202512/10/2026

Each Occurrence: $1,000,000

General Aggregate: $2,000,000

Products/Comp Agg: $2,000,000

Rented Premises: $50,000

Med Exp: $5,000

B

Umbrella / Excess Liability

Occurrence Form

ISCCX0300001004312/10/202512/10/2026

Each Occurrence: $1,000,000

Aggregate: $1,000,000

C

Workers' Compensation

And Employers' Liability · Per Statute

ARP1200650310112/10/202512/10/2026

E.L. Each Accident: $1,000,000

E.L. Disease / Employee: $1,000,000

E.L. Disease / Policy: $1,000,000

Policy Holder is authorized to perform operations in domiciled state only, unless otherwise noted.
Row A — Required

Commercial General Liability (CGL)

The most critical policy. Covers property damage and bodily injury caused by the contractor on your job. Look for at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. Verify the policy is in "Occurrence" form (not Claims-Made) and that it hasn't expired.

Row B — Bonus

Umbrella / Excess Liability

Sits on top of the GL policy and kicks in when the primary limit is exhausted. Not required for small jobs, but a strong signal that the contractor runs a serious operation.

Row C — Important

Workers' Compensation

Required in most states if the contractor has employees. Covers medical costs and lost wages if a worker is injured on your property. Without it, you as the property owner could be held liable. Solo operators (sole proprietors with no employees) may be legally exempt — ask them to confirm in writing.

Also Check

State Contractor License

Trades like Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, and Roofing typically require a state-issued license. Ask for the license number and verify it at your state's contractor licensing board. Hiring an unlicensed contractor for licensed work may void your homeowner's insurance.

What You'll See on dun

When vendors upload their credentials, their bids display one of the following badges:

✓ Insured & Licensed

Vendor has uploaded both insurance and license information. Strongest indicator of a verified professional.

✓ Insured

Vendor has provided insurance information only. Ask for their license separately if required for the trade.

✓ Licensed

Vendor has provided license information only. Verify insurance before work begins.

No credentials

Vendor has not uploaded credentials. Proceed with caution — always ask for proof of insurance and license before hiring.

Questions? Contact us at support@dunpros.com

← Return to dun