Artisan Contractor Insurance
for California Specialty Trades

Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage. $1M/$2M limits are standard. Required by virtually every GC and commercial property manager in California.

Now mandatory for ALL licensed contractors. Ghost policies available for sole proprietors with no employees. Covers medical bills and lost wages for work injuries.

Covers your tools from theft, damage, and loss anywhere in California. GL does NOT cover your own tools — this is the most common coverage gap for artisan contractors.

All CSLB-licensed contractors must maintain a $25,000 Contractor License Bond. Low-cost, fast to obtain — we can bind same-day.

A painter's overspray drifted onto a parked car. GL covered the $3,800 auto repair claim.

A $4,500 wet saw stolen overnight. GL didn't cover it — the Inland Marine floater paid full replacement.

A carpenter's helper fell from a 12-foot ladder. WC covered $45,000 in medical bills and 8 weeks of lost wages.

Client claimed improper substrate prep caused cracked tile throughout a $30,000 bathroom remodel. GL defended and settled.

What is an artisan contractor in California?

An artisan contractor is a specialty trade contractor who performs a single, specific trade — such as painting, carpentry, tile work, masonry, drywall, landscaping, or flooring — as opposed to a general contractor who manages multiple trades. In California, artisan contractors typically hold a C-class CSLB license (e.g., C-33 Painting, C-54 Tile, C-5 Framing). Most artisan contractors work as sole proprietors or small crews, taking subcontract work from general contractors or working directly with homeowners.

What insurance does a California artisan contractor need?

At minimum, a California artisan contractor needs: (1) General Liability insurance — typically $1M/$2M, required by most GCs and job sites; (2) Workers' Compensation — now mandatory for ALL licensed contractors under SB 216, effective January 1, 2026, even sole proprietors with zero employees; (3) Tools & Equipment (Inland Marine) — to protect your tools from theft and damage, since GL does not cover your own equipment. Optional but recommended: Commercial Auto for work vehicles, and a BOP (Business Owner's Policy) that bundles GL and property coverage.

What is SB 216 and how does it affect artisan contractors?

California SB 216 (effective January 1, 2026) eliminated the workers' compensation exemption for most contractor license classifications. Previously, sole proprietors and single-member LLCs in certain trades could file a WC exemption with the CSLB. Under SB 216, ALL licensed contractors — regardless of whether they have employees — must maintain a workers' compensation policy. The CSLB is actively enforcing this requirement and will suspend licenses that are out of compliance. Ghost policies (WC policies with zero payroll) are available for sole proprietors who need to satisfy the requirement without adding payroll.

What is a 'ghost policy' and do I need one?

A ghost policy (also called an owner-exclusion WC policy) is a workers' compensation policy that covers the business entity but excludes the owner from coverage. The premium is minimal (typically $800–$1,500/year) because there is no payroll to rate. Under SB 216, sole proprietors and owner-operators who have no employees but need to satisfy the CSLB's WC requirement use ghost policies. If you are a sole proprietor with no employees and your CSLB license is at risk of suspension due to the new WC requirement, a ghost policy is the solution. Call us — we can bind one same-day.

How much does artisan contractor insurance cost in California?

For a typical California artisan contractor (sole proprietor or small crew), a complete insurance package costs: GL: $600–$1,500/year; WC ghost policy: $800–$1,500/year; Tools & Equipment: $300–$600/year. Total: approximately $1,700–$3,600/year for a complete package. Contractors with employees pay more for WC based on payroll and trade class code. Bundling coverages with a single carrier often reduces total premium by 10–20%.

Do I need insurance to get a CSLB license?

Yes — to obtain and maintain a California Contractor State License Board (CSLB) license, you must: (1) maintain a $25,000 Contractor License Bond (required for all license classes); (2) maintain Workers' Compensation insurance (required under SB 216 for all licensed contractors as of January 1, 2026). General Liability is not required by the CSLB for licensing, but it is required by most general contractors, property managers, and commercial clients as a condition of hiring you.

What NCCI class codes apply to artisan contractors?

Common NCCI workers' compensation class codes for California artisan contractors include: 5474 (Painting — interior/exterior); 5645 (Carpentry — residential); 5403 (Carpentry — commercial); 5207 (Masonry); 5480 (Plastering/Drywall); 5183 (Plumbing); 5190/5191 (Electrical); 0042 (Landscaping); 5474 (Tile/Flooring). The class code determines your WC base rate per $100 of payroll. Misclassification of workers is a common audit issue — we review your operations and ensure your policy uses the correct class codes.