House Lifting Contractor

The Only Insurance Program Built for House Lifting Contractors

Lifting an entire home off its foundation is one of the riskiest and most specialized construction trades in the U.S. Whether you’re elevating a property for FEMA/NFIP flood compliance, renovating after a storm, or mitigating future flood risk, moving a house in the air impacts the foundation, walls, roof, utilities, and every trade in between.

Standard General Contractor insurance policies do not cover house lifting. They were never designed for the unique risks involved. That’s why Melissa Ems Insurance Agency developed the first and only insurance program specifically for house-lifting contractors—backed by nationally recognized, AM Best-rated carriers.

‍

Why Regular Contractor Insurance Falls Short

If you’re lifting a home, a typical GC policy will leave dangerous gaps. Key exposures include:

• Structural Liability – damage to foundations, walls, roofs, or utilities mid-lift.
• Employee & Subcontractor Risks – workers on the job must carry equal or higher coverage limits for their trades, or you could be liable.
• Specialized Equipment – hydraulic jacks, lifts, beams, and heavy machinery need coverage beyond standard forms.
• Transportation & Auto Liability – moving heavy equipment and materials requires proper commercial auto insurance, not just personal auto.

‍

Comprehensive Coverage for House Lifting Contractors

Our custom insurance program protects your business at every stage:

• General Liability Insurance – written to cover house elevation, flood mitigation, and structural renovation.
• Workers’ Compensation Insurance – protects your crew and keeps you compliant with state laws.
• Commercial Auto Insurance – covers trucks, trailers, and vehicles transporting heavy lifting equipment.
• Contractor Equipment Insurance – insures hydraulic lifts, jacks, beams, cribbing, and other essential machinery.
• Umbrella / Excess Liability – provides an added layer of protection above primary policies.
• Subcontractor Compliance – ensures all subs carry equal or higher liability limits.
• Completed Operations Coverage – protection after the house is set and renovation is underway.

‍

Not a Cookie-Cutter Policy

At Melissa Ems Insurance Agency, we don’t believe in "one-size-fits-all." House lifting is a unique trade, and the risks are far too complex for cookie-cutter insurance policies.

We work directly with top AM Best–rated carriers to customize coverage to your specific business model, projects, and equipment. Every contractor’s operation is different, which is why we take the time to:

• Identify your unique exposures.
• Tailor policy limits and endorsements to fit your projects.
• Streamline coverage so you’re not overpaying for things you don’t need—or underinsured where it matters most.

This hands-on approach ensures you get the right coverage, not just the easy coverage.

‍

Ongoing Resource & Risk Partner

Insurance shouldn’t stop at the policy. At Melissa Ems Insurance Agency, we don’t disappear once coverage is bound.

• Dedicated Support – Our team is always available to answer questions and walk you through coverage details.
• Subcontractor Verification – We assist in reviewing your employees’ and subcontractors’ insurance certificates to confirm they carry the proper limits for their trade.
• Lawsuit Prevention – By making sure every party on your job site is properly insured, we help reduce the chance your company ends up holding the lawsuit paperwork.

We’re not just your agents—we’re an extension of your risk management team.

‍

We Grow With You

As your company expands, your services often expand with it. Whether you start adding more crews, investing in additional equipment, or taking on bigger and more complex projects, your insurance needs change too.

Melissa Ems Insurance Agency works alongside you to make sure:

• Proper coverage is always in place as you scale operations.
• New insurance requirements are met when you win larger contracts—whether that means endorsing your current policy or streamlining into a different policy type.
• Growing risk exposures are addressed before they become claims.

We’re not just writing today’s policy—we’re building a long-term insurance strategy that grows with your business.

‍

Licensed in All 50 States

Whether you’re working in Florida flood zones, the Gulf Coast, New Jersey shorelines, or inland river communities, we can cover your operations. Our program is available nationwide, so your business can stay protected no matter where you build.

‍

Why Contractors Choose Melissa Ems Insurance Agency

• First in the Nation: The only agency to design a program exclusively for house-lifting contractors.
• Top-Rated Carriers: Insurance placed with AM Best-rated companies for financial strength and reliability.
• Complete Coverage Package: From general liability to workers’ comp, auto, equipment, and umbrella—one agency, one program.
• Industry Expertise: Melissa Ems was a claims adjuster - catastrophe and field - before opening her agency.   She is also a Certified Risk Manager and Certified Insurance Counselor.   She and her team understand FEMA flood maps, NFIP compliance, and the risks unique to house elevation projects.

‍

Get the Right Coverage Before the Lift

Don’t rely on standard contractor policies that exclude the very work you do. Protect your business, employees, equipment, and reputation with coverage engineered for house lifting contractors.