California Contractor Insurance
Asena Capital Insurance Services — California-licensed insurance brokerage serving contractors statewide. Phone: (858) 925-9555. Email: info@asenainsurance.com.
C-12 earthwork and paving contractors dig, move, grade, compact and pave. Heavy equipment, trenching near utilities and dump-truck traffic make equipment and auto coverage as important as general liability.
CSLB's definition: “An earthwork and paving contractor digs, moves, and places material forming the surface of the earth, other than water, in such a manner that a cut, fill, excavation, grade, trench, backfill, or tunnel (if incidental thereto) can be executed, including the use of explosives for these purposes. This classification includes the mixing, fabricating and placing of paving and any other surfacing materials.” (California Code of Regulations / Business and Professions Code, via cslb.ca.gov).
CSLB's public license file (September 2026) shows 2,287 current C-12 licenses statewide. 58% have a workers' comp policy on file and 38% are filed exempt. 34% are sole owners, 56% corporations and 5% LLCs; 109 were issued in the last 12 months.
Right now 15 C-12 licenses are suspended for workers' comp and 57 for bond problems — a suspended license cannot legally contract.
| Licenses | With WC policy | Exempt | New (12 mo) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perris | 59 | 41% | 56% | 0 |
| Bakersfield | 52 | 52% | 44% | 2 |
| San Jose | 46 | 59% | 30% | 2 |
| Riverside | 37 | 59% | 35% | 0 |
| Los Angeles | 35 | 43% | 40% | 2 |
| Fresno | 34 | 59% | 35% | 0 |
| Santa Rosa | 29 | 69% | 31% | 5 |
| San Diego | 24 | 67% | 33% | 1 |
| Vacaville | 23 | 43% | 52% | 0 |
| Sacramento | 20 | 70% | 25% | 3 |
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.
The carrier assigns WCIRB classes based on grading, excavation, paving and equipment-operation payroll.
Underwriters look at excavation depth, underground utility work, public vs. private work, and whether you do any demolition or hauling for others.
Contracts commonly require $1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate, additional insured status for the GC or owner, primary and non-contributory wording and a waiver of subrogation. We request additional insured endorsements for you when a contract calls for them.
Dump trucks, water trucks and equipment trailers may need heavier commercial auto underwriting and, depending on weight and use, motor-carrier filings.
California's private passenger minimums are 30/60/15 (since January 1, 2025); contracts usually require $1 million combined single limit.
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).
Asena Capital Insurance Services compares multiple markets for earthwork & paving contractors and requests additional insured endorsements for you when a contract calls for them. Call (858) 925-9555 or request a quote — only your name, phone and email are required. CA License #6008596.
undefined
undefined
undefined