What should a California contractor prepare for a business insurance review?

Prepare the business name, license or trade information, employee and payroll details, operations, vehicles or equipment when relevant, contracts, prior coverage, and claims history. A licensed team member can then review the request subject to carrier eligibility, policy terms, and underwriting.

How are business insurance limits or terms selected for a contractor?

Limits and terms are not universal. They can be influenced by the contractor's actual work, contracts, employee duties, vehicle use, project requirements, prior loss history, carrier guidelines, and applicable California requirements. The appropriate structure must be reviewed for the individual operation.

Can Asena provide an exact price or guarantee coverage for this page?

No. Any indication is preliminary until complete information is reviewed. Availability, pricing, limits, effective dates, certificates, and coverage are subject to carrier eligibility, policy terms, underwriting, and written confirmation.

Class A vs Class B vs Class C California Licenses

Quick Answer

California issues three primary contractor license classifications: Class A — General Engineering (heavy civil), Class B — General Building (structures using two or more unrelated trades), and Class C — Specialty (one specific trade like electrical, plumbing, roofing). Each has different scope, exam, and insurance requirements. Call (858) 925-9555 to insure any classification.

Class A — General Engineering

Covers heavy civil work: highways, bridges, dams, pipelines, drainage, tunnels, irrigation, and specialized engineering construction. Requires 4 years of journey-level experience in engineering construction and passing the Class A trade exam.

Typical insurance: higher GL limits ($2M/$4M common), commercial auto rated for heavy equipment, often performance/payment bonds for public-works contracts.

Class B — General Building

Covers structures that require at least two unrelated trades — e.g., framing + plumbing + electrical. A B-licensee can self-perform any C-class work if it's part of a multi-trade structure. Cannot do single-trade work outside this scope.

Typical insurance: GL $1M/$2M minimum, broader subcontractor liability coverage, builder's risk for projects under construction.

Class C — Specialty

40+ specific trades — C-8 Concrete, C-10 Electrical, C-15 Flooring, C-20 HVAC, C-27 Landscape, C-33 Painting, C-36 Plumbing, C-39 Roofing, C-46 Solar, C-53 Pool, etc. Each C-class can only perform work in its specific scope.

Typical insurance: trade-specific WC class code, GL with completed operations, Tools & Equipment.

Common Confusion Points

A B-licensee cannot do single-trade work outside a multi-trade structure
A C-licensee cannot perform unrelated trades on the same project
An A-licensee cannot do residential building construction (that's B territory)

Adding a classification? Call (858) 925-9555 — insurance changes with scope.

Call (858) 925-9555 for class-specific insurance.