Plumbing contractors · Responsible master plumbers · Texas
Plumbing Contractor Insurance in Texas
In Texas, the responsible master plumber must carry commercial general liability of at least $300,000 for all claims in a one-year period, on file with the plumbing board. Most plumbing companies also need commercial auto for service vans, coverage for tools and equipment, and a workers' comp decision. Builders and commercial customers usually require higher limits.
Plumbing contractors: text your RMP license number and what you do (service, remodel, new construction) to 830-305-4080 for a quote. We can quote plumbing contractors today.
What the plumbing board requires of a responsible master plumber
A responsible master plumber (RMP) in Texas must keep commercial general liability covering bodily injury and property damage, from negligence or contract claims, of at least $300,000 for all claims in a one-year period. The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners' rules add that it must cover every type of plumbing done under the license, including LP-gas, medical gas and fire sprinkler work.
| Requirement | What the board says |
|---|---|
| Coverage type | Commercial general liability for property damage or bodily injury, whether the claim comes from negligence or a contract. (Board certificate of insurance form) |
| Minimum amount | Not less than $300,000 for all claims arising in any one-year period. (Board certificate of insurance form) |
| Who can write it | An insurer authorized in Texas or an eligible surplus lines insurer, with the form signed by its agent. (Board certificate of insurance form) |
| Scope | All types of plumbing done under the RMP's license, including LP-gas, medical gas and multipurpose residential fire protection sprinkler work. (Board rules, §367.6) |
| Timing | Kept in force at all times. A valid certificate must be uploaded to the RMP's online account before acting as RMP. (Board rules, §367.6) |
| Customer request | Give the insurance carrier's name and the agent's name, address and phone within 30 days of a written request. (Board rules, §367.6) |
Rules checked November 2026 against the board's administrative rules (September 2025) and its certificate of insurance form. Check the board for current rules.
Filing the RMP certificate of insurance
Use the board's certificate of insurance form, signed by your insurance agent, and upload it to your RMP online account before acting as RMP. The certificate expires when the policy expires, so file a new one at or before each renewal. The board's form says uploads are approved instantly and emailed forms can take up to 10 days.
What happens if the insurance lapses
The board's penalty schedule lists failing to maintain insurance while acting as an RMP at $5,000, and failing to give insurance information to a customer on request at $1,000. Keep the policy and the certificate current, and set a renewal reminder well before the expiration date.
Cities check the certificate
Cities that issue plumbing permits check the RMP's certificate with the board, so a lapsed or missing certificate can hold up a permit.
Changing companies or adding an RMP
A master plumber can be the RMP of record for only one company at a time. Board rule §367.5 requires written notice to the board within 10 business days after the change. The certificate of insurance names the business, so set up the new company's policy and certificate before you switch.
Why builders and customers ask for more than $300,000
The board's $300,000 is a floor for the license, not what a job will require. Builders, general contractors and commercial customers often ask for:
- Higher per-occurrence and aggregate limits
- Additional insured status, including for completed work
- Primary and noncontributory wording
- Waiver of subrogation
- Auto liability limits and workers' comp, or a waiver
- An umbrella over the other policies. Commercial umbrella for contractors is an ask-us item.
Read the contract's insurance section before you sign, or send it to us. Texas limits how far a construction contract can push additional insured coverage for someone else's negligence; see the FAQ on our contractor insurance in Texas page.
Water damage after the job: completed operations
Most claims that hurt a plumbing company show up after the job is done: a fitting lets go or a water heater install leaks into the drywall. The Texas Department of Insurance says products-completed operations coverage handles bodily injury and property damage away from your premises that comes from your completed work.
A general liability policy generally won't pay to redo your own faulty work, but it may pay for the resulting damage to other property. TDI's example uses a roof, and the same principle applies to a failed fitting or water heater install. TDI also notes the pollution exclusion is broad, so sewer, backflow and septic tie-in contractors should ask about pollution coverage.
Service vans and trucks: commercial auto
Board rules require the RMP license number (with "M", "MPL" or "RMP" in front) and the company name on both sides of every service vehicle, in contrasting letters at least two inches tall. The Texas Department of Insurance says most personal auto policies don't cover driving for business, so a lettered plumbing van belongs on a commercial auto policy.
Texas requires at least 30/60/25 liability. We can quote commercial auto for plumbing vans and trucks today. See commercial auto insurance in Texas.
Tools, equipment and your shop
General liability doesn't cover your own tools. TDI lists contractor equipment under inland marine coverage, which follows tools, jetters, cameras and machines from the shop to the job.
If you have a shop, warehouse or office with inventory, we'll check whether your shop fits a business owners policy or needs a separate property policy. Commercial property policies exclude flood, so see flood insurance if the shop sits near a creek or river.
Workers' comp: a decision, not a default
Texas doesn't require most private employers to carry workers' comp, but employers on government contracts must cover employees on the project, and many general contractors require it of subs (TDI). See general liability vs workers' comp in Texas.
What affects the cost
- Service, remodel and new construction mix
- Residential versus commercial work
- Payroll, revenue and use of subcontractors
- Gas, medical gas and fire sprinkler work
- The limits your contracts demand
- Vehicles and drivers
- Claims history and years licensed
What to send for a quote
- RMP name and license number
- Endorsements held (LP-gas, medical gas, water supply protection, fire sprinkler)
- Years in business, revenue and payroll
- Work mix and subcontractors
- Vehicles (VINs) and drivers
- Tools and equipment values, and the shop address if any
- Current declarations pages and three to five years of loss runs
- Any contract insurance exhibit
Related: contractor insurance in Texas, Texas commercial insurance, New Braunfels, San Marcos, Boerne and our coverage list.
Plumbing contractor insurance FAQ
What insurance does a plumbing company need in Texas?
In Texas, the responsible master plumber must carry commercial general liability of at least $300,000 for all claims in a one-year period, on file with the plumbing board. Most plumbing companies also need commercial auto for service vans, coverage for tools and equipment, and a workers' comp decision. Builders and commercial customers usually require higher limits.
What insurance does a responsible master plumber need?
A responsible master plumber in Texas must keep commercial general liability covering bodily injury and property damage, from negligence or contract claims, of at least $300,000 for all claims in a one-year period. Board rule 22 TAC §367.6 adds that it must cover every type of plumbing done under the license, including LP-gas, medical gas and fire sprinkler work.
Does the RMP policy have to cover gas and medical gas work?
Yes. Texas plumbing board rule 22 TAC §367.6 says the RMP's insurance must include coverage for all types of plumbing performed under the license, including LP-gas plumbing, medical gas plumbing and multipurpose residential fire protection sprinkler systems. Tell your agent which endorsements you hold so the policy matches the work you actually do.
How do I file my RMP certificate of insurance?
Use the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners' certificate of insurance form, signed by your insurance agent, and upload it to your RMP online account before acting as RMP. The certificate expires when the policy expires, so file a new one at or before each renewal. The board says emailed forms can take up to 10 days.
What if I change plumbing companies?
In Texas, a master plumber can be the responsible master plumber of record for only one company at a time. Board rule 22 TAC §367.5 requires written notice to the board within 10 business days after the change. The certificate of insurance names the business, so set up the new company's policy and certificate before you switch.
Do I have to tell a customer who my insurance company is?
Yes, if they ask in writing. Texas plumbing board rules require the RMP or company owner to give the insurance carrier's name and the agent's name, address and phone number within 30 days. The customer is the person who got the plumbing work, even when a home warranty company or general contractor hired you.
Does my personal auto policy cover my plumbing van?
Probably not. The Texas Department of Insurance says most personal auto policies don't cover driving for business, and a plumbing van carries the company name and RMP license number on both sides under board rules. Put work vans and trucks on a commercial auto policy, with liability at least the Texas 30/60/25 minimum.
Does general liability cover water damage from a leak after I finish a job?
It can. The Texas Department of Insurance says products-completed operations coverage handles bodily injury and property damage away from your premises that comes from your completed work. A policy generally won't pay to redo your own faulty work, but it may pay for the resulting damage. Check your limits and exclusions.
Do plumbers have to carry workers' comp in Texas?
Not by state law for most private employers. The Texas Department of Insurance says workers' comp is optional for most private employers, but employers on government contracts must cover employees working on the project. Many general contractors also require it of their subcontractors, so check your contracts before you decide.
Who insures plumbing contractors near Canyon Lake and New Braunfels?
Allen Jones Insurance Agency is an independent insurance agency in Canyon Lake, Texas that quotes plumbing contractors across Texas: general liability that meets the plumbing board's RMP rule, commercial auto for service vans and trucks, and a review of tools, shop and workers' comp coverage. Text your RMP license number to 830-305-4080 to start.
Get a quote
Text 830-305-4080 with your RMP license number, what you do, and any contract insurance requirements, or request a quote online. Allen follows up personally. A quote request is not a bind.
Check the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners for current rules.
Allen Jones Insurance Agency · PO Box 1927, Canyon Lake, TX 78133 · ajones@
Licensed in Texas, Florida, Arizona and New Mexico. Coverage is subject to underwriting. General information, not legal advice.