Central Insurance Blog

From the roads we drive to the pipes that bring clean water to our homes, heavy civil contractors play a vital role in keeping modern life running smoothly. These contractors tackle the biggest, most complex infrastructure projects, such as highways, bridges, airports, underground utilities, and grading or excavation work, that literally form the foundation of our communities. They also support a major segment of the national economy by employing over 1.17 million workers.

For the nearly 19,000 heavy engineering construction firms in the U.S., the risks on infrastructure jobsites are high, with tens of thousands of workers, billions in materials, and complex public projects. Strikes on buried utilities, trench collapses, public exposure, and heavy equipment failures pose additional reasons why these companies need adequate infrastructure contractor insurance strategies and loss control programs tailored to their unique challenges.

Read on to explore these challenges further, as Damien Hayden, loss control construction specialist at Central Insurance, provides expert insight into how to protect your people, equipment, and infrastructure investments.

Managing Key Risk Exposures with Infrastructure Contractor Insurance

“Heavy civil is what makes the world spin every day,” Hayden explains. “It’s what lets us drive on the roads we do and what gets water, gas, and power to our homes and businesses.”

Unlike vertical/commercial contractors who build above ground, heavy civil contractors focus on what lies beneath. That can mean greater uncertainty and a higher potential for risk. 

“You can’t always see what you’re working with in heavy civil,” he adds. “When you dig, you’re dealing with utilities that might not be properly marked or even documented.”

Even with 811 locates and blue stakes, aging and undocumented infrastructure often pose hidden dangers. Striking a gas, electric, or water line can result in severe injuries, project delays, or costly property damage. 

“Line strikes are one of the biggest exposures we see,” Hayden shares. “Even with every precaution, there’s always an element of the unknown underground.”

Working below grade increases the risk of trench collapse, which is a hazard that continues to claim lives each year. “Through July of 2025, there have already been 12 fatalities related to underground excavation and trenching collapse,” Hayden notes. “That’s an increase over 2024 despite OSHA’s emphasis program.” These incidents are preventable, but only with strict safety compliance and routine monitoring of soil and site conditions.

Beyond what’s happening underground, many infrastructure contractors also face serious risks above ground, especially when working alongside live traffic. Hayden highlights that in 2023, there were 899 fatalities involving construction, maintenance, or utility workers in the transportation sector. Traffic control, barriers, and clear communication are crucial to keeping both workers and motorists safe.

He notes that large-scale infrastructure projects exacerbate these challenges.. 

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Infrastructure Contractor Controls That Make a Difference

While you can’t eliminate risk, you can manage it through disciplined loss control and the help of technology. 

For underground exposures, Hayden recommends combining standard 811 locates with private utility locators for a second verification. To help mitigate the risk of trench collapse, many contractors have begun using trenchless technology, such as vacuum excavation trucks, to remove soil without damaging nearby utilities.

Hayden also emphasizes the importance of routine pre-job planning and hazard assessments, especially when working near existing infrastructure. 

“Contractors should take the time to identify all potential hazards, including soil type and the water table, before excavation starts. Once you break ground, it’s too late to plan for what you didn’t know.”

With massive auto fleets and heavy machinery constantly in motion, fleet management is another critical exposure. Large truck and trailer combinations pose high-severity risks on highways and within work zones. 

Hayden adds that contractors should develop and enforce strict driver qualification and training programs, along with consistent vehicle inspection and maintenance schedules. “Every piece of equipment should have a documented maintenance log,” he explains. “Tires, brakes, lights, and hydraulic lines all need to be checked regularly, especially when equipment is running 10–12 hours a day.” On the fleet side, Hayden emphasizes what he calls the ‘Big Five’ for auto safety:

• A strong, written fleet safety policy
• Ongoing driver training and monitoring
• GPS and telematics for tracking driver behavior and more
• Onboard cameras (front, rear, and cab-facing)
• A culture of accountability

“These tools don’t just prevent accidents,” Hayden offers. “They help identify trends like hard braking, speeding, or unsafe backing before they cause a loss. It’s all about using data to build safer habits.”

Infrastructure Contractor Insurance Coverage Essentials

Given their scope of work and exposure, most heavy civil contractors require a layered insurance approach:

1. Inland Marine: Provides financial protection of expensive equipment like excavators, dozers, and dump trucks, often totaling tens of millions of dollars. It’s essential for contractors whose machinery moves between jobsites, since standard property policies often don’t extend beyond fixed locations. Accurate scheduling, current valuations, and inclusion of rented or leased equipment are critical to avoiding costly coverage gaps.

2. Installation Floater: Covers materials, equipment, and components awaiting installation or already in progress, whether stored on-site, in transit, or temporarily off-site.

3. Workers’ Compensation and General Liability: Workers’ Compensation protects employees injured on the job, particularly vital for crews exposed to excavation, equipment, and traffic-related hazards, while general liability coverage shields contractors from third-party claims involving property damage or bodily injury.

4.Umbrella Coverage: Provides added protection for large-scale infrastructure projects, especially those involving state or federal contracts. “DOT jobs often require much higher limits than smaller neighborhood projects,” Hayden notes.

Contract terms can also influence insurance coverage needs. Indemnification clauses, additional insured endorsements, and products/completed operations coverage must all align with project requirements. Partner With a Carrier Who Specializes in Infrastructure Contractor Insurance

Central Insurance stands out for its deep, proven experience in construction and heavy civil. “About 60% of our commercial business in the Southwest Region alone is in heavy civil,” Hayden explains. “We understand the unique challenges they face.”

But Central’s value extends beyond policy coverage. With a specialized construction defect claims team, the company efficiently resolves complex cases that can emerge years after project completion. 

Read On: Construction Insurance: Why Working With a Specialist Elevates Your Coverage

Central’s construction loss control and underwriting teams also take a proactive approach by walking jobsites, identifying vulnerabilities, and helping strengthen safety programs before issues arise. This hands-on partnership provides contractors with an additional layer of confidence in managing risk and maintaining compliance on complex jobsites.

With nearly 150 years of experience and an AM Best rating of “A” (Excellent), Central combines long-standing financial strength with a deep understanding of the construction landscape. When it comes to infrastructure work, experience matters, and so does having a carrier who knows your world, both above and below ground.

Talk with your local independent Central agent about a customized infrastructure contractor insurance quote.