General Contractor Insurance
California — B License Specialists
B contractors need the $25,000 license bond now, workers' comp as soon as they have employees, and workers' comp on every active license from January 1, 2028. General liability isn't required by CSLB (except for LLCs), but most general contractors and property owners require it. As a GC managing subcontractors, you need higher limits and broader coverage than most trades. COI processing available.
SB 216 Alert: Starting January 1, 2028 (SB 216, as delayed by SB 1455), every active California contractor license must carry workers' comp, except joint ventures with no employees. Until then, C-8, C-20, C-22, C-39 and C-61/D-49 licenses must already carry it, and every other license needs it as soon as it has an employee. No-employee Workers’ Compensation eligibility depends on business structure, classification, and underwriting. Learn more →
Coverage Every B General Contractors Needs
California requires three coverages to maintain your B license. We bundle them for coverage fit.
General Liability
REQUIREDCovers third-party bodily injury and property damage. Required by CSLB for B license. GCs managing multiple subcontractors need higher limits — often $2M/$4M.
Workers Compensation
REQUIREDReview Workers’ Compensation when employees are present; Class code varies by work type. As a GC, you may also be liable for uninsured subcontractors injuries under CA Labor Code 2750.5.
Commercial Auto
Covers trucks, vans, and equipment in transit. Personal auto policies exclude business use.
Contractor License Bond
REQUIRED$25,000 CSLB bond required for all B license holders. Protects consumers.
Builders Risk
Covers buildings under construction against fire, theft, vandalism, and weather damage. Required by most lenders on new construction projects.
Umbrella / Excess
Extra liability above GL limits. Most commercial GC projects require $2M–$5M umbrella. Relatively affordable for the protection it provides.
Top Carriers for General Contractors
| Carrier | AM Best | Best For | Typical GL Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berkshire Hathaway GUARD | A++ | General contractors, bundled coverage | $1,800–$5,000 |
| Travelers | A++ | Established GCs, commercial projects | $2,000–$5,500 |
| Nationwide | A+ | Mid-size GCs, residential and commercial | $1,500–$4,500 |
| Markel Insurance | A | Specialty GC work, hard-to-place | $1,800–$5,000 |
| A | Hard-to-place WC risks, new businesses | $2,000–$6,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Your B General Contractor Insurance Quote Today
COI processing. carrier availability varies. Serving all of California.
General Contractor Insurance by California City
We serve general contractors across all of California. Find city-specific rates, carriers, and CSLB requirements: