Sandpoint, North Idaho — where Marks Insurance Agency serves local contractors

For North Idaho Contractors

Insurance built for your crew, tools, and next job.

General liability, tools, commercial auto, workers' comp placement, and fast certificates of insurance — placed by a Sandpoint family agency through Farm Bureau Insurance. Talk to a real local agent.

Family-owned in Sandpoint since 1976 Backed by Farm Bureau Insurance Local Sandpoint & Ponderay agents

Verified Google Reviews

From the contractors and crews we already work with

Joel of Joel’s Mexican Restaurant in Sandpoint with the Marks Insurance Agency team outside the restaurant

“The Marks Agency has been a great partner for our business. From our early days as a food truck to growing into our own restaurant in Sandpoint, they’ve helped us make sure we had the right insurance coverage in place. We really appreciate working with a local agency that understands small businesses and is easy to reach when we have questions or need help. Their team has been there for us with great service, support with claims, and guidance as our business has grown. It means a lot to work with people who are part of the same community we serve, and we’d gladly recommend The Marks Agency to other local business owners.”

— Joel, Joel’s Mexican Restaurant

Sandpoint, Idaho

“Great hometown service. I’ve been with the Marks Agency for over 10 years. They handle all my insurance needs. Home, auto, contractor, and life insurance.”

— David M.

Sandpoint, Idaho

“If you value doing business with good, friendly, and honorable people, the Marks Agency is the place to take your insurance needs. In my experience, they look beyond the customer and treat you as a person. They respond promptly to my calls. It is so refreshing to have a person from my own community to discuss my insurance needs rather than some call center several states away. I highly recommend them.”

— Kurt K.

Ponderay, Idaho

“Great team and accommodating to my crazy schedule. Josh and Caiya were very clear about the change over process. and the entire staff is warm and friendly.”

— Richard N.

Sandpoint, Idaho

Who This Is For

Built for the trades we work with every week

We work with North Idaho contractors across most trades. If yours isn't on the list, we still likely write your coverage — give us a call.

General contractor
Framer / carpenter
Electrician
Plumber
HVAC
Roofer
Painter
Excavator / dirt work
Landscaper
Drywall / flooring / tile
Concrete / masonry

Why Marks Agency

Local agents who know the trades you work in

// 01

Real people, every call

You call our Ponderay office, you talk to John, Josh, or Caiya. No menu trees. No 1-800 number routed three states away.

// 02

Idaho-built coverage

Farm Bureau Insurance is Idaho-owned. Claims decisions are made in Idaho — not in a corporate office across the country.

// 03

Three generations local

Our family has been in Sandpoint and Ponderay since the 1950s. We know the contractors, the GCs, and the building inspectors by name.

Coverage

What we cover for North Idaho contractors

We build coverage around what you actually do — your trade, your trucks, your crew, the kinds of jobs you take. No off-the-shelf bundle that leaves gaps when you need it most.

General Liability

Bodily injury, property damage, and product liability — the coverage most clients (and most jobs) require before you can start.

Tools & Equipment

Coverage for the gear you carry between jobs — power tools, ladders, generators, trailers — against theft and damage.

Commercial Auto

Coverage for trucks, vans, and trailers used for business — work vehicles need different coverage than personal auto.

Workers' Comp Placement

Required by Idaho law for most employers. We help you get it placed and keep your premium right-sized.

Certificates of Insurance

Need a COI for a GC, a property owner, or a city permit? We turn them around fast — no middleman.

Builder's Risk

Coverage during construction projects — protects materials, equipment, and the structure itself while work is in progress.

How It Works

From first call to coverage in three steps

1.

Tell us about your business

Fill out the short form below — name, business, what kind of work you do, when's a good time to talk.

2.

We review what you have

If you have a current policy, send it over. We'll go through it and flag gaps before our call.

3.

We talk it through together

Phone, in person at our Ponderay office, or on a job site if that's easier. We'll quote what fits your operation.

Common Questions

Common questions from contractors

Real answers to what we hear most often from North Idaho contractors and crews.

How fast can I get a Certificate of Insurance?
Most COIs go out the same business day. Send us the project details — additional insureds, waiver language, project address — and we issue from our office.
What does a contractor's general liability policy in Idaho actually cover?
It covers third-party bodily injury, third-party property damage, and product/completed-operations claims. It does NOT cover damage to your own work, your own tools, or injuries to your employees — those need separate coverages (builder's risk, tools floater, workers' comp).
Do I need workers' comp if I'm a one-person shop?
In Idaho, sole proprietors with no employees usually aren't required to carry workers' comp on themselves. The moment you hire someone (even a 1099 in some cases), you likely need it. We can walk through your specific setup.
Can you write coverage for a contractor working all over North Idaho?
Yes. Our agency is in Ponderay, but we write contractors working across Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, Shoshone, Benewah, and surrounding counties. Local matters — your agent and your claims adjuster are both based in Idaho.
How much does contractor's insurance cost in Idaho?
It depends on your trade, payroll, gross receipts, the kinds of jobs you take, and your claims history. A small one-truck operation might run $600–$1,500/year for general liability alone; a larger crew with multiple trucks and employees runs higher. Schedule a call and we'll walk through your numbers.

Schedule a Call

Talk to a local agent about your coverage

Tell us about your business

Takes about a minute. One of our team will call to set up a time.

Best time to reach you *

When do you want to talk? *

Or call us right now: (208) 263-3161