California Contractor Insurance
Asena Capital Insurance Services — California-licensed insurance brokerage serving contractors statewide. Phone: (858) 925-9555. Email: info@asenainsurance.com.
The A general engineering license covers fixed works requiring specialized engineering knowledge — roads, pipelines, grading, sewers, bridges and similar projects. These contractors are often held to public-agency insurance and bonding requirements.
CSLB's definition: “. A general engineering contractor is a contractor whose principal contracting business is in connection with fixed works requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill, including the following divisions or subjects: irrigation, drainage, water power, water supply, flood control, inland waterways, harbors, docks and wharves, shipyards and ports, dams and hydroelectric projects, levees, river control and reclamation works, railroads, highways, streets and roads, tunnels, airports and airways, sewers and sewage disposal plants and systems, waste reduction plants, bridges, overpasses, underpasses and other similar works, pipelines and other systems for the transmission of petroleum and other liquid or gaseous substances, parks, playgrounds and other recreational works, refineries, chemical plants and similar industrial plants requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill, pow…” (California Code of Regulations / Business and Professions Code, via cslb.ca.gov).
CSLB's public license file (September 2026) shows 13,326 current A licenses statewide. 60% have a workers' comp policy on file and 36% are filed exempt. 28% are sole owners, 64% corporations and 5% LLCs; 583 were issued in the last 12 months.
Right now 130 A licenses are suspended for workers' comp and 333 for bond problems — a suspended license cannot legally contract.
| Licenses | With WC policy | Exempt | New (12 mo) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | 299 | 64% | 32% | 11 |
| Bakersfield | 293 | 60% | 33% | 17 |
| San Diego | 271 | 61% | 36% | 9 |
| Sacramento | 226 | 65% | 32% | 8 |
| Los Angeles | 224 | 62% | 32% | 10 |
| Fresno | 180 | 68% | 26% | 9 |
| Riverside | 177 | 62% | 32% | 11 |
| San Jose | 175 | 62% | 33% | 5 |
| Irvine | 133 | 70% | 30% | 11 |
| Santa Rosa | 130 | 66% | 32% | 6 |
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.
General engineering payroll spans several WCIRB classes depending on the type of fixed works performed.
Public-works contracts often require higher limits, additional insured endorsements for the agency, and sometimes pollution coverage. Carriers look at project types, subcontracting and safety programs.
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.
A-license contractors often run heavy trucks and equipment trailers; fleets may require motor-carrier filings depending on weight and operation.
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 general engineering 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.
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