Mason / Bricklayer Insurance in Ohio
Ohio requires Workers' Compensation for mason / bricklayers. See the checklist below for the full breakdown and costs.
Ohio runs a state-fund workers'-comp system, so mason / bricklayers buy that one coverage differently than everything else on this page.
The detail that sets Ohio apart for anyone handling other people's animals is liability: the state follows a strict liability standard when a dog bites, which is exactly why the coverage priorities below look a little different here than they would a state over.
How Ohio regulates mason / bricklayers
Workers' comp · State fund (monopolistic)
Ohio is a monopolistic workers'-comp state: coverage must be bought through the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC), not a private insurer. A commercial package or BOP from a private carrier will not include workers' comp here — you buy it separately from the state fund, and you add employer's-liability (“stop-gap”) coverage through a private carrier because the BWC fund doesn't provide it.
Dog-bite liability · Strict liability (statutory)
Ohio Rev. Code § 955.28Ohio imposes strict statutory liability on a dog's owner, keeper, or harborer for injury the dog causes, regardless of the dog's prior behavior. Because a pet-care professional in physical control of a client's dog can be deemed its “keeper,” this statute can attach liability directly to your business — making general-liability and animal-bailee coverage especially important in Ohio.
Licensing & permits
Ohio requires annual county dog registration and licenses high-volume breeders under ORC Ch. 956 (Commercial Dog Breeders), overseen by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. There is no statewide license for sitters, walkers, or trainers; boarding kennels follow county rules.
SOURCE · State statutes & regulators as cited · Last reviewed 2026-07
Ohio coverage requirements
| Coverage | Required? | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory | Workers' comp is purchased through the state fund (monopolistic state). |
State regulator: Ohio Department of Insurance
Coverage checklist
| Coverage | Requirement | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial AutoCA | Required | $1,100–$2,600/yr |
| General LiabilityGL | Required | $520–$1,352/yr |
| Workers' CompensationWC | Required | $1,950–$6,760/yr |
| Inland Marine / Tools & EquipmentIM | Recommended | $250–$900/yr |
| Business Owner's PolicyBOP | Optional | $500–$1,500/yr |
| Commercial PropertyCP | Optional | $500–$2,200/yr |
| Professional Liability / E&OPL/E&O | Optional | $500–$1,200/yr |
Cost breakdown
- ·Number of work vehicles
- ·Driving radius
- ·Vehicle type
Required for work vehicles; personal auto policies exclude business use.
- ·Crew size
- ·Residential vs. commercial
- ·Revenue
Required by most trade licenses and general contractors before you can bid work.
- ·Payroll
- ·Experience mod rate
- ·Crew size
Required once you have employees in nearly every state. Texas is the only optional state.
- ·Tool value
- ·Vehicle storage
Covers tools and equipment stolen from a job site or vehicle.
- ·Shop value
Worth it if you lease a shop or store significant inventory.
- ·Building ownership
Only if you own or lease a shop/warehouse.
- ·Design/engineering work
- ·Contract values
Relevant if you provide design or engineering specs, not just installation.
Best carriers for mason / bricklayer
Mason / Bricklayer insurance in Ohio — FAQ
Do mason / bricklayers need workers' comp in Ohio?+
Yes, once you have employees — but in Ohio you buy it from the state fund, not a private insurer, and add stop-gap employer's-liability separately. Solo mason / bricklayers with no staff are generally exempt.
If a dog in my care bites someone in Ohio, am I liable?+
Ohio imposes strict statutory liability on a dog's owner, keeper, or harborer for injury the dog causes, regardless of the dog's prior behavior. Because a pet-care professional in physical control of a client's dog can be deemed its “keeper,” this statute can attach liability directly to your business — making general-liability and animal-bailee coverage especially important in Ohio. That's why general-liability and animal-bailee coverage are worth prioritizing for mason / bricklayers working in Ohio.
Do mason / bricklayers need insurance?+
Yes. mason / bricklayers typically need general liability, workers' comp, and commercial auto. Most states require some or all of these policies to operate legally or by contract.
How much does mason / bricklayer insurance cost?+
A typical mason / bricklayer can expect to pay general liability runs $520–$1352 per year, professional liability $500–$1200, workers' comp $1950–$6760 depending on payroll, and commercial auto $1100–$2600 per vehicle. Total annual premiums for a small operation usually range from $1,500 to $8,000 depending on coverage choices, revenue, and number of employees.
Is workers' comp required for mason / bricklayers?+
Yes, in nearly every state — once you have W-2 employees. Texas is the only state where workers' comp is optional. Even sole-proprietor mason / bricklayers often carry it because the physical nature of trades work makes injuries common.
What does general liability cover for a mason / bricklayer?+
General liability covers third-party bodily injury and property damage — for example, if a customer is injured on site or you accidentally damage a client's property. It does not cover your own injuries or professional errors (those need workers' comp and professional liability).
Do mason / bricklayers need professional liability insurance?+
In many cases, yes — professional liability covers claims that a mistake or omission in your work caused a client financial harm. It's worth considering if you have contracts with defined deliverables.
Does my personal auto insurance cover my mason / bricklayer business?+
No — personal auto policies typically exclude business use. If you drive a vehicle for work (transporting equipment, visiting clients, making deliveries), you need a commercial auto policy.
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