Contractor insurance by trade
General liability is not one size fits all. Pick your trade to see the job-site risks insurers look at, what GCs and homeowners ask you for, and the CSLB rules for your class.
Pick your trade
| Trade | CSLB class | What insurers look at |
|---|---|---|
| Roofing | C-39 | Work at height, hot work, water getting in after the job |
| Concrete | C-8 | Cracking and settling, completed operations |
| Painting | C-33 | Overspray, ladders, damage to finished surfaces |
| Plumbing | C-36 | Leaks and water damage that show up later |
| Electrical | C-10 | Fire risk from finished work |
| HVAC | C-20 | Rooftop units, gas lines, attic work |
| Landscaping | C-27 | Irrigation leaks, grading, debris thrown by equipment |
| General building | B | Whole-project exposure and the subs you hire |
| Framing | C-5 | Structural work that every later trade depends on |
| Drywall | C-9 | Scaffolds, dust and damage inside finished homes |
Why GL needs differ by trade
Insurance companies sort contractors by class because each trade fails in its own way. A roofer's worst day is a leak into a finished living room. A concrete contractor's is a slab that settles two years later. An electrician's is a fire.
That changes three things on your quote:
- Which programs will write you. Not every A-rated program writes every class. When you enter your license number, you see how many write yours.
- What the questions ask. Homes or businesses, new construction, subs and payroll all matter more in some trades than others.
- What gets excluded. Height limits and hot work on roofs, subsidence on concrete, residential new construction for builders. Every quote on the board lists what is included and excluded, so read that line before you pick one.
To see what moves the number, read what drives GL cost in California. To see your real price, start from your licence.
Licence types that go to an agent
Some licence types are never quoted online. They go straight to a licensed agent, who works them by phone:
- C-22 Asbestos Abatement
- C-11 Elevator
- D-9 Drilling, Blasting and Oil Field Work
- D-30 Pile Driving and Pressure Foundation Jacking
- C-16 Fire Protection
- ASB asbestos certification
If you hold one of these, call or text (877) 940-4313. If your class is not on this list, enter your license number and the quote shows which A-rated programs write it.
Trades that need workers' comp even with no employees
Every CSLB licensee must file a workers' comp certificate or an exemption with CSLB (B&P §7125). Five classes cannot use the exemption. They must carry workers' comp even with no employees:
- C-8 Concrete
- C-20 HVAC
- C-22 Asbestos Abatement
- C-39 Roofing
- D-49 Tree Service
The rule is set to widen. SB 216 required workers' comp for all licensees from 1/1/2026, and SB 1455 (2024) delayed that to 1/1/2028. Details: California contractor workers' comp and 2028. We quote workers' comp by phone, not online.
One licence, several classes
Many contractors hold more than one class. The quote reads your classes from the CSLB record, and the trade question lets you say what work you mainly do. Quote the work you actually do.
Whatever your trade, the online quote uses limits of $1M per occurrence and $2M aggregate, the limits GCs usually ask for. Once you are covered, we send the certificate to your GC. Workers' comp, commercial auto, umbrella and bonds are handled by phone with a licensed agent.
If your licence is an LLC, CSLB sets a minimum liability limit by law. See the CSLB LLC insurance requirement and license bond vs insurance.
Common questions
Does contractor insurance cost the same for every trade?
No. Insurance companies rate each CSLB class by its own risk, so a roofer and a painter with the same payroll get different quotes. Enter your license number to see your real price.
Which contractors need workers' comp even without employees in California?
C-8 concrete, C-20 HVAC, C-22 asbestos abatement, C-39 roofing and D-49 tree service must carry workers' comp even with no employees.
Can I get an asbestos contractor insurance quote online?
No. C-22 asbestos and ASB certification are never quoted online. Call or text a licensed agent at (877) 940-4313.
What if my CSLB license has more than one classification?
Enter your license number. The quote reads all your classes from the CSLB record, and you choose the work you mainly do in the trade question.
Does it matter if I work on homes or businesses?
Yes. Residential and commercial work carry different risks, so the quote asks which you do. It can change which programs fit and what they exclude.
General information about California rules, not legal advice. Check your own licence with CSLB. Coverage is subject to the policy's terms, conditions and exclusions, and to the insurance company's approval. Some licence types are quoted by an agent instead of online. Updated 2026-10-09.