Hudson Insurance cancelled your CSLB bond? Your license may be suspended — replace the bond before the 90-day window closes (~Nov 30). Get the fix checklist → or call (949) 415-4567
Contractor-Specific Insurance Broker · Built for Established California Contractors

California Contractor Insurance

Work directly with a licensed broker who only insures construction. General liability, workers comp, umbrella, bonds, and builders risk written to your contract requirements — additional insured, primary & non-contributory, waivers, per-project aggregate — and shopped across multiple carriers. COIs issued within 24 hours of your request.

Electrical HVAC Roofing Plumbing Painting General Contractor Carpentry Concrete Commercial Contractors + More Trades
24hr
COI Issuance
40+
CSLB Classifications
58
California Counties

Doing $1M+ commercial work? See our Commercial Contractor guide.

Get Your Free Quote

One licensed construction broker. Multiple carriers shopped. No obligation.

Your request goes directly to a licensed Altamira construction broker — never sold or shared with other agencies. No obligation.

Typical Annual GL Premiums — Established Contractors ($1M+ Revenue)
Electrical$9,000–$20,000+/yr HVAC$7,000–$16,000+/yr Plumbing$8,000–$18,000+/yr Drywall$8,000–$18,000+/yr Concrete$10,000–$25,000+/yr Roofing*$25,000–$60,000+/yr

*Roofing range is for $2M+ revenue. Your premium depends on payroll, loss history, limits, and contract requirements.

Construction Only
No restaurants, no personal lines. Every account we write is a contractor, builder, or developer.
Written to Your Contracts
CG 20 10 / 20 37, primary & non-contributory, waivers, per-project aggregate — right the first time.
COIs Within 24 Hours
Standard certificates with endorsements, issued within 24 hours of your request.
Many Carriers, One Broker
We shop your program across admitted and specialty markets. You deal with one licensed broker.
How It Works

How Working With a Construction Broker Works

You work directly with a licensed Altamira construction broker — not a call center, and your information is never sold to other agencies.

1

Tell Us About Your Business

Trade, revenue, employees, and what you need covered. Under 2 minutes — or call (949) 415-4567.

2

We Review Your Program

We look at your current coverage, contract requirements, and X-Mod to find the gaps before a GC — or a claim — finds them.

3

We Shop Carriers, You Choose

Your program goes to multiple carriers. You get options side by side, and we bind coverage that meets your contracts.

Why It Matters

Sound Familiar?

The wrong broker doesn't just cost you money — it costs you jobs.

✕

My Broker Is a Generalist

They don't know construction, don't understand your trade, and miss coverage gaps that matter on a California job site.

✕

My COI Got Rejected

Prime contractors have specific additional insured endorsement and exclusion requirements. A broker who doesn't know the space won't get them right.

✕

Nobody Picks Up the Phone

When you need a certificate or have a coverage question, you can't afford to wait days for a callback.

✕

COIs Take Days — Sometimes Weeks

You can't get paid or start work without a COI in hand. Slow issuance kills your cash flow and risks losing the job entirely.

✕

I Bought the Wrong Coverage

The wrong policy means claims get denied when it matters most. If your broker didn't know your business, you may not be covered the way you think.

✕

My Account Manager Keeps Changing

Constant turnover means re-explaining your business every renewal and falling through the cracks at the worst possible time.

✕

My Broker Got Acquired

When independent agencies sell to nationals, service suffers immediately and your account becomes a number in a queue.

That's why we work only with construction — and shop every program independently across multiple carriers. See how switching works →

Coverage Types

Insurance Every California Contractor Needs

California has some of the strictest construction regulations in the country. From mandatory workers' comp to CSLB bond requirements, we ensure your coverage is in full compliance — and actually protects your business.

General Liability Insurance

Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage during your construction operations. Required by virtually every GC, property manager, and public agency in California before you step on a jobsite.

Bodily Injury Property Damage Completed Ops Personal Injury

Workers' Compensation

California law mandates workers' comp for any employer with at least one employee. Covers medical costs, lost wages, and rehabilitation. Non-compliance triggers stop-work orders and personal liability for the business owner. High-hazard class or 20+ employees? See our high-hazard workers’ comp program.

Legally Required in CA Medical Bills Lost Wages Rehab Costs

Commercial Auto Insurance

Covers your trucks, vans, and service vehicles used for business — California personal auto policies explicitly exclude business use. Protects against liability and physical damage on the road and at jobsites.

Work Trucks & Vans Liability Collision Hired & Non-Owned

Umbrella / Excess Liability

Extends your liability limits beyond your primary GL or auto policy. Required on most California public works projects, school district contracts, and major commercial GC subcontracts — often $2M–$5M minimum.

Public Works Req'd Higher Limits Broad Coverage

CSLB Contractor License Bond

The CSLB requires a $25,000 contractor license bond for all licensed contractors. This is a separate transaction from your insurance — a surety bond, not an insurance policy. We can place your bond alongside your insurance coverage.

$25K Required Separate from Insurance All Classifications

Tools & Equipment (Inland Marine)

Covers your tools, equipment, and materials in transit, on the jobsite, or in storage. General liability does not cover your own property — a single theft or equipment loss can sideline your operation without this coverage.

Theft Transit Damage Jobsite Loss Equipment Floater

Contractor E&O (Professional Liability)

Covers financial-loss claims that GL excludes — faulty workmanship, wrong specifications, or installation errors that cost a client money without bodily injury or property damage. Increasingly required on design-build and commercial contracts.

Faulty Workmanship Design Errors Financial Loss

Pollution Liability

Covers cleanup costs and third-party claims from pollution conditions your work causes or disturbs — fuel spills, silica dust, disturbed asbestos or lead, stormwater runoff. Standard GL policies exclude pollution.

Pollution liability details →
Cleanup Costs Silica & Dust Runoff Claims
COI Issuance — 24 Hours: Need a certificate of insurance for a GC, project owner, or lender? Standard COIs — including additional insured endorsements — are issued within 24 hours of your request once coverage is bound.
All California Trades

Coverage for Every Licensed CA Trade

Whether you hold a Class B General Engineering & Building license or a specialty C classification, we work with carriers that understand your trade's specific risk profile and CSLB requirements.

Electrical

Electrical

C-10 License · High-voltage & low-voltage operations covered
HVAC

HVAC

C-20 License · Heating, cooling & ventilation contractors
Painting

Painting

C-33 License · Residential & commercial painters
Roofing

Roofing

C-39 License · Full roofing system coverage
Concrete

Concrete

C-8 License · Flatwork, foundations & structural
Carpentry

Carpentry

C-5 / C-6 License · Framing & finish carpentry
Plumbing

Plumbing

C-36 License · Residential & commercial plumbers
Flooring

Flooring

C-15 License · Hardwood, tile, carpet & LVP
Drywall

Drywall

C-9 License · Drywall, lathing & plastering
Excavation

Excavation

C-12 License · Grading, earthwork & trenching
Acoustical

Acoustical

C-2 License · Suspended ceilings & soundproofing
General Contractor

General Contractor

Class B License · Full GC operations covered
Specialty

Other Trades

All other C classifications and specialty trades
Service Area

Serving Contractors Across California

From the Bay Area to Southern California, we serve licensed contractors in every major California market — with local knowledge of city permit requirements, prevailing wage projects, and regional insurance markets.

Los Angeles

LA County · Largest CA market

San Diego

SD County · Military & commercial

San Francisco

Bay Area · High-value projects

San Jose

Silicon Valley · Tech campus work

Fresno

Central Valley · Growing market

Sacramento

State capital · Public works hub

Long Beach

Port & industrial projects

Oakland

East Bay · Infrastructure & housing

Bakersfield

Kern County · Energy & residential

Orange County

High-end residential & commercial

Riverside

Inland Empire · Fast-growing market

San Bernardino

Inland Empire · Logistics & warehousing
Why Choose Us

Built for California Contractors

California is the hardest state in the country to be a contractor — the most regulations, the highest insurance minimums, and the most complex workers' comp system. We know all of it cold.

01

CSLB-Compliant Coverage

We understand CSLB license bond requirements, COI language demanded by GCs, and California-specific endorsements like additional insured waivers of subrogation required on public works projects.

02

Workers' Comp Specialists

California's workers' comp system is among the most complex in the nation. We work with carriers that specialize in construction WC — getting you accurate class codes, experience mod management, and competitive pricing.

03

Fast COI Turnaround

When a GC requests a certificate, we issue it — with the right additional insured endorsements — within 24 hours of your request, keeping you on the job and off the bench.

04

All Trades, All Markets

From a 10-person specialty sub in the Inland Empire to a 50-person electrical contractor in San Francisco, we match your program to carriers that want your trade, size, and California market.

California Contractor Insurance At a Glance

CSLB license bond$25,000 required
Workers' compRequired (1+ employee)
GL minimum (typical GC contract)$1M / $2M
Umbrella on commercial contracts$2M–$10M
Annual GL premium ($1M+ revenue)~$7K–$25K+
CSLB bond cost~$100–$300/yr
COI turnaroundWithin 24 hours

Ready to Get Covered?

California's construction market moves fast. Don't let missing or inadequate insurance cost you a contract. Work with a broker who truly understands construction.

Get a Free Quote
FAQ

California Contractor Insurance FAQ

Common questions from California-licensed contractors about insurance requirements, CSLB bonds, and coverage costs.

California contractors typically need general liability insurance, workers' compensation (legally required for any employee), commercial auto for work vehicles, and a $25,000 CSLB contractor license bond. Many commercial and public works projects also require an umbrella policy of $2M or more.

Yes — California Labor Code requires all employers to carry workers' compensation insurance for every employee, including part-time and seasonal workers. Failure to carry workers' comp is a criminal misdemeanor in California and can result in stop-work orders, fines of up to $100,000, and personal liability for employee injuries.

The CSLB requires all licensed California contractors to maintain a $25,000 contractor license bond. This surety bond protects consumers if the contractor fails to complete work or violates license law. The bond must be on file with the CSLB at all times — a lapse will suspend your contractor's license.

California contractor insurance costs more than most states due to high labor costs, dense population, and regulatory requirements. General liability for a small contractor typically starts around $1,200–$3,500/year. Workers' comp rates vary significantly by trade classification (e.g., roofing is higher risk than painting). Submit a quote for accurate pricing.

You need the $25,000 contractor license bond on file with the CSLB to get licensed. General liability insurance is not technically required by the CSLB itself, but it is required by essentially every GC, property owner, and public agency before you will be awarded work. Most contractors carry both.

Any construction project in California valued at $500 or more in combined labor and materials requires a CSLB license. This covers all trades including Class B General Building Contractors, and all C specialty licenses (C-10 electrical, C-36 plumbing, C-20 HVAC, C-39 roofing, C-33 painting, and dozens more).

CaliforniaContractorInsurance.com is operated by Altamira Insurance Agency (CA License #6017420), a California-licensed insurance agency specializing in construction. This website is not an insurance company; coverage is arranged through licensed insurance professionals. Coverage terms, conditions, exclusions, and pricing are determined solely by the licensed insurer and may vary based on individual risk factors, trade classification, location, and underwriting guidelines.

CSLB bond information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or insurance advice. For specific CSLB licensing requirements, visit cslb.ca.gov. Always verify coverage details with your licensed insurance professional.

Site operated by Altamira Insurance Agency · CA License #6017420 · See also: Fiber Contractor Insurance