North Dakota Plumbing Insurance: Requirements, Coverage & Costs

Reviewed October 1, 2026 · North Dakota plumbing contractors

North Dakota contractor licenses need a liability insurance certificate naming the Secretary of State, and workers’ comp comes only from the state’s Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI). Here’s what to have ready before you ask for quotes.

North Dakota plumbing insurance requirements

What North Dakota requires for plumbing businesses

A Secretary of State contractor license application needs a certificate of liability insurance in the same name as the license, listing the Secretary of State as certificate holder. We didn’t verify a specific dollar minimum. If you have employees in North Dakota, you also need a certificate of payment from Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI).

A licensing minimum is a floor, not a recommendation. Customers, general contractors and property managers often ask for higher limits, so get their requirements in writing.

Workers’ comp

WSI is the only workers’ compensation provider in North Dakota, and private insurers can’t write it. With limited exceptions, all employers must insure all employees, including part-time, seasonal and occasional workers, before they start (WSI coverage requirements).

Local rules

Cities and counties can add their own requirements. Before you register locally or pull a permit, ask the building department whether it wants a certificate of insurance, a bond or workers’ comp proof on file.

Official sources: N.D. Admin. Code 62-02-01 · State Plumbing Board · ND SOS contractors · WSI coverage requirements

For licensing, permits and the rest of setup, use our North Dakota plumbing business guide.

Which policies should a North Dakota plumber compare?

Match coverage to the risk

Risk	What to ask about
A leak, flood or sewer backup damages a customer’s property, during or after a job	General liability that meets any license or contract limits, including products and completed operations. Ask how it handles water damage, mold, work in occupied homes and any exclusions for the kind of work you do.
An employee gets hurt	Workers’ comp under North Dakota’s rules. Give accurate payroll and job duties, and explain how you use subcontractors.
Your van or truck	Commercial auto for business use, the vehicles and everyone who drives them. General liability doesn’t cover your vehicle, and a personal auto policy may not cover a work van.
Tools, drain cameras, jetters and equipment	Tools and equipment (inland marine) coverage. Ask about theft from a vehicle, tools left on site overnight, rented equipment and deductibles.
A shop, stock or bigger contracts	Property coverage or a business owner’s policy, plus umbrella coverage if a contract asks for higher limits.

Describe the work you actually do

Tell the insurer whether you do service and repair calls, drain cleaning, sewer line work, excavation or trenching, gas piping, water heaters, backflow testing, new construction or commercial work. Mention subcontractors and any work in occupied buildings. A quote built on a narrower description, such as “handyman,” may not cover the jobs you take.

Ask what happens when your own work fails. Liability insurance isn’t a warranty. Fixing a bad joint and paying for the water damage it caused are often treated differently. Ask the agent to walk you through it.

Already insured and need a certificate?

Start with your current agent or insurer. For the Secretary of State, ask for a liability certificate in the exact license name with the Secretary of State as certificate holder, plus your WSI certificate of payment if you have employees. For a customer, send their written insurance requirements, the project address and how they want the certificate holder listed.

A certificate only shows what your policy already covers. It doesn’t change the policy. Being listed as certificate holder is not the same as being an additional insured, so if a contract asks for additional insured status, a waiver of subrogation or primary wording, ask whether you need an endorsement. Put renewal dates on your calendar so required coverage never lapses.

How much does plumbing insurance cost in North Dakota?

There isn’t one North Dakota price. Your quote depends on the work you do, revenue, payroll, subcontractors, claims history, vehicles, equipment, limits and deductibles. We don’t have a reliable North Dakota average to share, and we won’t guess at one or promise a Simply Business price.

• Compare quotes with the same work description, limits, deductibles and policy dates.
• Ask for the full yearly cost, plus any installment or endorsement fees.
• Price workers’ comp and auto separately from general liability.
• If a quote is a business owner’s policy, check what it bundles so you don’t count coverage twice.
• Ask whether a payroll or revenue audit could change the final bill.

A cheap policy that excludes work you do is the wrong policy. Have the agent explain the differences before you choose on price.

Get your North Dakota insurance quote ready

1. Your legal business name, address, State Plumbing Board master plumber license number, Secretary of State contractor license number and class, start date and experience.
2. The services you offer, your residential and commercial mix, typical job sizes and the area you cover.
3. Revenue, payroll, what each worker does, owners and subcontractors.
4. Vehicles, drivers, tools, equipment values and where they’re kept overnight.
5. Past claims, current policies and their end dates.
6. The certificate rules from each licensing office you deal with, and each customer’s written insurance requirements.

Before you take a job, ask the insurer to confirm in writing which work is covered, the exclusions, the limits and the start date. Asking for a quote doesn’t give you coverage. Simply Business offers insurance for plumbers, but whether a policy fits still depends on your business and the insurer.

Common North Dakota plumbing insurance questions

Does North Dakota require liability insurance or a bond for plumbing businesses?

A Secretary of State contractor license application needs a certificate of liability insurance in the same name as the license, listing the Secretary of State as certificate holder. We didn’t verify a specific dollar minimum.

When do I need workers’ comp in North Dakota?

With limited exceptions, all North Dakota employers must insure all employees through WSI, including part-time, seasonal and occasional workers, before they start. Private insurers can’t write it.

Does general liability cover my van or a hurt employee?

Usually not. Those normally need commercial auto and workers’ comp. Read the actual policies rather than assuming a plumbing package covers everything.

Does forming an LLC replace insurance?

No. An LLC, your license and your insurance each do a different job. Our North Dakota LLC guide covers formation.

Is the minimum enough for a commercial job?

Not always. General contractors and commercial customers often ask for higher limits and extra endorsements. Read the contract before you bid and ask your agent about any gaps.

Related: starting a plumbing business in North Dakota · national plumbing insurance planning · workers’ comp requirements by state.