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Plumber and HVAC Contractor Insurance in Washington and Idaho

Since July 1, 2021, Washington plumbing contractors must be licensed under RCW 18.106, with a $6,000 bond and liability insurance of $200,000 bodily injury and $50,000 property damage; plumbers also need certificates. Washington has no separate HVAC license, though the electrical work needs a 06A specialty. Idaho licenses plumbing and HVAC contractors through DOPL, with $2,000 bonds.

By Trella Commercial · Updated October 4, 2026

The short version

  • Washington plumbing contractors are licensed, not just registered. Since July 1, 2021, RCW 18.106 requires a plumbing contractor license, a $6,000 bond, and liability insurance of $50,000 property damage and $100,000 per person and $200,000 per occurrence for bodily injury. A lapse in either automatically suspends the license.
  • Plumbers need certificates. Under RCW 18.106, no one may do plumbing work without a journey level certificate or other required certificate.
  • HVAC in Washington has no standalone state license; the electrical part of HVAC and refrigeration work falls under the electrical 06A specialty, and the rest of the installation work is construction work subject to contractor registration.
  • Idaho licenses plumbing and HVAC contractors through DOPL, with a $2,000 bond for HVAC contractors and a plumbing compliance bond of up to $2,000. Licensed plumbing and HVAC contractors are exempt from Idaho's general contractor registration.
  • Water damage is the signature claim. A failed fitting or water heater install can flood a home or building months later. Completed operations coverage and an umbrella matter more than the minimums.

Washington requirements

RequirementPlumbing contractorsHVAC contractors
Business license or registrationPlumbing contractor license under RCW 18.106 (required since July 1, 2021)Contractor registration under RCW 18.27 for installation work; electrical contractor license for the electrical portion
Bond$6,000 (RCW 18.106.410)$15,000 specialty or $30,000 general under RCW 18.27; $4,000 for an electrical contractor license
Liability insurance$50,000 property damage; $100,000 per person and $200,000 per occurrence bodily injury (RCW 18.106.420)$250,000 combined single limit, or $200,000 and $50,000 split, for RCW 18.27 registration
Individual certificationJourney level or other plumbing certificate (RCW 18.106.020)HVAC/refrigeration (06A) specialty electrical certificate for electrical work (WAC 296-46B-920)
LapseBond or insurance lapse automatically suspends the licenseInsurance lapse suspends RCW 18.27 registration

Idaho requirements

RequirementPlumbing contractorsHVAC contractors
LicensePlumbing contractor license from DOPL (Idaho Code Title 54, Chapter 26)HVAC contractor license from DOPL (Idaho Code Title 54, Chapter 50)
BondCompliance bond of up to $2,000 (Idaho Code 54-2606)$2,000 (Idaho Code 54-5007)
General contractor registrationExempt when licensed under the plumbing chapterExempt when licensed under the HVAC chapter
Workers compRequired from the first employee under Idaho lawSame

Idaho's plumbing and HVAC statutes set bonds but no general liability minimum. Contracts, general contractors, and property managers set the real requirement.

The coverage program for plumbing and HVAC contractors

CoverageWhy it matters
General liability with completed operationsWater damage, gas leaks, or fires from past work, often discovered long after the job
Commercial umbrellaWater and fire claims in occupied buildings can exceed primary limits
Tools and equipmentPipe cameras, press tools, recovery machines, and parts inventory in vans
Commercial autoService vans are central to the business
Workers compL&I and stop-gap in Washington; Idaho workers comp
Installation floaterWater heaters, furnaces, and units on site before the customer accepts them
Pollution liabilityMold, sewage backups, and refrigerant releases, which many GL policies exclude or limit

Where plumbers and HVAC contractors get caught

GapWhat happens
Mold and water exclusionsMany GL policies exclude or limit mold and fungi claims that follow water damage
"Your work" exclusionGL covers damage your faulty work causes to other property, not the cost of redoing your own work
Pollution exclusionSewage, refrigerant, or fuel releases may need separate pollution coverage
Equipment you are installingA stolen or damaged unit before acceptance is often not covered by GL or a tools policy
Gas work and boilersSome policies restrict commercial boiler, gas line, or high-pressure work; disclose it
Service van as a personal vehiclePersonal auto policies often limit business use

Common questions

What insurance do plumbers need in Washington?

A Washington plumbing contractor license under RCW 18.106 requires liability insurance of $50,000 for property damage, $100,000 per person, and $200,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, plus a $6,000 bond. Most commercial and property management work requires higher limits, often $1 million per occurrence, plus additional insured endorsements.

Do plumbing contractors register with L&I as general contractors?

Not since July 1, 2021. Plumbing contractors are licensed under RCW 18.106 instead, with their own bond and insurance requirements. Individual plumbers also need certificates.

Is there an HVAC license in Washington?

There is no standalone statewide HVAC license. The electrical portion of HVAC and refrigeration work requires the 06A specialty electrical certificate and an electrical contractor license for the business, and installation work generally falls under contractor registration with L&I.

What bond do HVAC contractors need in Idaho?

Idaho Code 54-5007 requires HVAC contractors and specialty contractors to provide a $2,000 bond. Licensed HVAC contractors are exempt from Idaho's general contractor registration.

Does general liability cover water damage from a leak I caused?

Usually, for damage to the customer's property caused by your completed work, subject to the policy's exclusions. It typically does not pay to redo your own faulty work, and mold coverage may be excluded or limited. Check both before you need them.

Sources

This page is general information. Licensing rules and amounts were checked against the statutes in October 2026; confirm current requirements with L&I or DOPL.

The coverage we usually build for plumbers and hvac

General Liability

Injury and property damage claims from customers, clients, and the public. The policy most contracts require.

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Commercial Umbrella

Extra liability limits above your GL, auto, and employers liability, usually at a lower cost per dollar.

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Tools, Equipment & Business Income

Tools at job sites and in vehicles, equipment breakdown, and the income you lose while you rebuild.

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Commercial Auto

Vehicles your business owns, plus liability when employees drive their own cars for work.

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Workers Comp & Stop-Gap (WA)

Washington workers comp runs through L&I. Stop-gap covers the lawsuits L&I does not.

Learn more

Workers Comp (Idaho)

Required for most Idaho employers from the first employee. Bought from private carriers or the State Insurance Fund.

Learn more

What our clients say

“We run a small contracting business and our old policy left us exposed on a couple of jobs. Trella found better general liability and tools coverage with another carrier and got it done quickly. Felt like they actually looked at how we work instead of just filling out a form.”
Mike W. · Redmond, WA

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