In my home state (MD) we are not required to carry any insurance if you operate on a journeyman license. As soon as you pass the masters test and apply for the masters license you need to carry (I think) $500k liability. I say "I think" because it only cost me $350 yr for $1M and I carry that ($500k would cost me $300). The counties won't even issue the masters without proof of insurance and the state won't issue a statewide license until you have (at least) one county license (your base/home county).
FYI: even if I do no contracting and only have the masters to work for someone else I still need the insurance to get the masters.
