California Contractor Insurance
Asena Capital Insurance Services — California-licensed insurance brokerage serving contractors statewide. Phone: (858) 925-9555. Email: info@asenainsurance.com.
Asena Capital provides California painter insurance guidance for C-33 operations. A review can include General Liability, Workers’ Compensation when employees are present, Commercial Auto for business vehicle use, contractor bond requirements, tools, materials, and contract exposures.
A useful review starts with interior or exterior painting, spray application, surface preparation, ladder or lift use, restoration, occupied properties, and any work involving older coatings. Payroll, subcontractor certificates, vehicles, ladders, sprayers, tools, customer property, and contract requirements can change the review.
For projects involving pre-1978 structures or specialized materials, discuss lead-paint and pollution-related exclusions with a licensed professional. Request a coverage review with complete business details. Individual terms and availability depend on carrier eligibility and underwriting.
CSLB's definition: “A painting and decorating contractor prepares by scraping, sandblasting or other means and applies any of the following: paints, papers, textures, fabrics, pigments, oils, turpentines, japans, driers, thinners, varnishes, shellacs, stains, fillers, waxes, adhesives, water and any other vehicles, mediums and materials which adhere by evaporation and may be mixed, used and applied to the surfaces of structures and the appurtenances thereto for purposes of decorating, protecting, fireproofing and waterproofing.” (California Code of Regulations / Business and Professions Code, via cslb.ca.gov).
CSLB's public license file (September 2026) shows 15,279 current C-33 licenses statewide. 44% have a workers' comp policy on file and 53% are filed exempt. 59% are sole owners, 36% corporations and 3% LLCs; 913 were issued in the last 12 months.
Right now 158 C-33 licenses are suspended for workers' comp and 645 for bond problems — a suspended license cannot legally contract.
| Licenses | With WC policy | Exempt | New (12 mo) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 521 | 45% | 51% | 45 |
| San Diego | 471 | 43% | 53% | 31 |
| San Jose | 380 | 51% | 46% | 29 |
| Sacramento | 310 | 37% | 60% | 30 |
| San Francisco | 309 | 52% | 46% | 12 |
| Santa Rosa | 194 | 47% | 51% | 18 |
| Fresno | 194 | 48% | 47% | 14 |
| Anaheim | 192 | 53% | 46% | 18 |
| Bakersfield | 153 | 39% | 54% | 11 |
| Riverside | 140 | 49% | 49% | 9 |
Any California contractor with employees must carry workers' comp (Labor Code 3700). A license with no employees can currently file an exemption with CSLB; beginning January 1, 2028 (SB 1455), CSLB will require workers' comp for all active licenses, with joint-venture licenses the only exception.
Painting payroll is generally reported under WCIRB class 5474 or 5482, depending on hourly wage.
Every active California contractor license needs a $25,000 contractor license bond on file with CSLB (raised from $15,000 on January 1, 2023). For owners with good credit, the bond commonly costs about $140–$250 a year; price depends mainly on credit.
LLC licenses also need a $100,000 employee/worker bond and liability insurance of at least $1 million (plus $100,000 per member over five, up to $5 million).
undefined
undefined
undefined
Painter contractors in California should describe the work actually performed, the CSLB classification that applies, employees and payroll, subcontractors, vehicles, locations, contracts, and claims history before an insurance review. Coverage, limits, eligibility, pricing, and effective dates depend on the complete operation and underwriting; this page is not a binding quote or legal determination.
Prepare the legal entity, CSLB license and classification, description of interior and exterior painting, surface preparation, and related finishing work, employee duties and payroll, subcontractor practices, vehicles and equipment, locations, contract requirements, prior coverage, and claims.
No. The classification is one input. Actual operations, project mix, employees, subcontractors, vehicles, locations, contracts, losses, policy terms, and underwriting also affect the review.
The review may include General Liability, Workers' Compensation where applicable, Commercial Auto, tools or equipment, contractor license bonds, and contract-specific certificates or endorsements. The appropriate combination depends on the actual business.
Official references: California CSLB · CSLB workers' compensation requirements · California DIR employer information · CSLB licensing classifications