Insurance Built for Your
Specific Trade in California

Roofing is the highest-risk trade in California construction. Workers’ Compensation rates for roofers (NCCI class 5551) are among the highest in the industry — residential steep-slope work can run $15–$28 per $100 of payroll, reflecting the severe fall risk and frequency of claims. The CSLB requires all C-39 Roofing Contractors to maintain active General Liability insurance, and most GCs require proof of WC before a roofer sets foot on a job site.

General contractors carry the broadest liability exposure in construction. As the GC, you are responsible not just for your own work but for the work of every subcontractor on the job. If a sub causes an injury or property damage and doesn’t have adequate insurance, the GC’s policy is often the one that pays. The CSLB requires all Class A, Class B, and Class C license holders to maintain active GL insurance.

Framing contractors work at height on open structures before walls and floors are enclosed, creating significant fall and struck-by exposures. NCCI class 5645 covers residential framing and rough carpentry; finish carpenters qualify for the lower class 2802 rate. The CSLB requires all C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry license holders to maintain active General Liability insurance. Most GCs require proof of WC before a framing crew starts work.

Painting contractors face unique liability exposures including VOC fume claims, lead paint disturbance on pre-1978 structures, and overspray damage to adjacent property. The CSLB requires all C-33 Painting & Decorating Contractors to maintain active GL insurance. Residential painters fall under NCCI class 5474; commercial painters qualify for class 5482. Lead abatement work requires additional pollution liability coverage.

Electrical contractors face a unique combination of risks: arc flash events, electrocution, fires caused by completed work, and falls from elevated work areas. The CSLB requires all C-10 Electrical Contractors to maintain active GL insurance. Most electricians fall under NCCI class 5190 — but low-voltage technicians (data, security, AV) qualify for the significantly lower class 5191 rate. Completed operations coverage is essential, as wiring errors that cause fires after the job is complete are a major exposure.

Water damage claims are among the most expensive in the construction industry. A single pipe failure in a commercial building can cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage — and the damage often doesn’t appear until days or weeks after the job is complete. The CSLB requires all C-36 Plumbing Contractors to maintain active GL insurance. Completed operations coverage is not optional for plumbers.

HVAC contractors face a coverage gap that most contractors don’t know about: standard General Liability policies contain a pollution exclusion that applies to refrigerant releases. If a refrigerant leak from a system you installed causes property damage or health claims, a basic GL policy will deny the claim. The CSLB requires all C-20 and C-38 license holders to maintain active GL insurance. Every HVAC policy we write includes a pollution liability endorsement to fill this gap.

California handymen can work without a CSLB license only if the total project cost — parts and labor — is under $500. At $500 or above, a CSLB license is required. Despite not always needing a license, handymen still face significant liability exposure: a client trip-and-fall, accidental property damage, or a helper injured on the job can result in claims that exceed $100,000. General Liability and Workers’ Comp are essential even for solo handymen.

Landscaping contractors face a wide range of exposures: pesticide and herbicide application liability, equipment damage to client property, worker injuries from mowing and trimming equipment, and commercial auto exposure from towing trailers. The CSLB requires all C-27 Landscaping Contractors to maintain active GL insurance. Contractors who apply pesticides may need additional pollution liability coverage.

Excavation contractors face one of the most severe liability exposures in construction: underground utility strikes. A single gas line hit can result in a multi-million dollar claim. The CSLB requires all C-12 Earthwork & Paving Contractors to maintain active GL insurance. Dump truck operators also need commercial auto coverage rated for dump trucks — personal auto policies will not cover business use.

Masonry and concrete contractors face silica dust exposure from cutting and grinding operations, structural defect liability from flatwork and foundations, and heavy equipment risks. The CSLB requires all C-8 Concrete and C-29 Masonry Contractors to maintain active GL insurance. Silica exposure can result in workers’ comp claims years after the exposure, making long-tail WC coverage important for these trades.

Concrete pumping contractors operate specialized boom pump trucks that can cause catastrophic damage if a boom fails or a hose bursts under pressure. A single boom collapse can result in multi-million dollar property damage and serious worker injuries. Standard commercial auto policies often exclude boom operations — specialized inland marine coverage for the pump equipment is essential.