California Contractors Insurance & CSLB Bonds
Don't risk your license with an out-of-state agent. We are a marketing division of Bearstar Insurance Services, headquartered right here in California. We know the CSLB requirements inside and out.
Protecting Your CSLB License is Our Priority
California is one of the toughest states for contractors. Between the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), strict Workers' Compensation laws, and expensive lawsuit risks, you need an agent who actually reads the fine print. Since January 1, 2025, you need a CSLB license for any job worth $1,000 or more, and for any job that needs a permit or uses workers, no matter how small.
The Hardhat Insurance Team is the specialized marketing division of Bearstar Insurance Services. Because Bearstar is based in California, we have direct access to regional carriers that other agents can't reach. We ensure your Certificates of Insurance meet the specific requirements of California city permits and general contractors. Roofing contractor? See our roofing contractor insurance page. Excavation contractor? See our excavation contractor insurance page. Tree service contractor? See our tree service insurance page. Demolition contractor? See our demolition contractor insurance page.
Commercial General Liability
California General Liability
Construction defect lawsuits are common in California. We provide robust liability policies that protect your assets if you are sued for property damage or injury.
Meets CSLB reporting requirements.
Completed operations coverage, which matters because California allows latent defect claims up to 10 years after a project is finished.
Surety Bonds
$25,000 Contractor License Bond
Every active contractor in California must have a $25,000 Contractor's Bond on file with the CSLB. We can often issue these bonds instantly and you can get a fast quote online without having to get on the phone. Bidding public work? Every contractor and sub on a California public works job must also register with the Department of Industrial Relations each year, and most of those jobs require bid, performance and payment bonds.
Bond programs for new licensees and owners rebuilding credit.
Bond of Qualifying Individual (BQI) also available.
California law is strict: if you have employees, you need workers' compensation, and the CSLB requires proof of it on your license. Concrete (C-8), HVAC (C-20), asbestos (C-22), roofing (C-39) and tree and palm (D-49) licensees need it even with no employees, and under SB 216 every licensee will by January 1, 2028. We help you find affordable rates to cover medical costs and lost wages if a crew member gets hurt.
Pay-as-you-go billing tied to each payroll, so you don't overpay up front.
Waiver of subrogation endorsements for GCs who require them on California contracts.
Workers' Compensation
What We Cover
Commercial Auto
Work Truck & Fleet
Your personal auto policy will not cover an accident if you are driving for work. Traffic in LA and the Bay Area is dangerous. Protect your work trucks against accidents, theft, and uninsured drivers. We offer filings for DMV and higher limits for commercial contracts.
Builders Risk
Builders Risk (Course of Construction)
Protect your project from California's specific risks—including wildfire and theft of materials. Coverage runs from the first delivery of materials until the owner accepts the work.
Covers materials stored on site, at your yard or on the truck.
Usually required by lenders on ADUs, remodels and new homes.
Inland Marine (Tools & Equipment): Covers tools and equipment stolen from vans and jobsites, a constant problem in LA and the Bay Area.
Professional Liability: For design-build firms, construction managers and contractors who stamp or draw plans.
Excess Liability (Umbrella): For public agency, commercial and multifamily contracts that require $2M to $10M in total limits.
And More
Local Service Area
We insure trade specialists across the entire Golden State.
Southern California: Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and the Inland Empire.
Northern California: The Bay Area, Sacramento, and the Central Valley.
Whether you are a sole proprietor doing remodels in Irvine or a framing crew working on new developments in Fresno, we have the markets to cover you.
Serving Contractors From SoCal to the Bay
Need a CSLB-Compliant Certificate?
Our intake team is ready to get your file to a licensed California agent immediately.
Contractor Insurance in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego & Across California
We insure contractors from the border to the Oregon line. Here's what we see most often in California's biggest markets, all handled by one licensed broker at (949) 868-7350.
Los Angeles
LA-area GCs and developers usually want $1M/$2M general liability, additional insured status, a waiver of subrogation and proof of workers' comp before you're on site. We turn certificates fast for jobs across Los Angeles County.
Orange County
We're based out of Irvine. Remodelers, ADU builders and specialty trades across OC get local service and carriers that know the county's HOA and property manager requirements.
San Diego
From military housing to coastal remodels, San Diego County work often needs higher limits and primary/non-contributory wording. We line up the endorsements before you sign.
Inland Empire
Riverside and San Bernardino counties keep new-home and warehouse crews busy. We cover work trucks on long commutes, builders risk on new homes, and wildfire-exposed job sites.
Bay Area
San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose jobs come with strict certificate wording and big commercial GCs. We write the limits and umbrella those contracts call for.
Sacramento & Central Valley
State, school district and county jobs need DIR registration, bonds and higher limits, while Fresno and Bakersfield crews need affordable comp for field labor. We handle both.
California Workers’ Comp: State Fund vs. Private Carriers
California employers can buy workers’ comp from the State Compensation Insurance Fund (State Fund), from a private insurer, or self-insure. State Fund was created in 1914 as a self-supporting nonprofit. It competes with private carriers and is also the insurer of last resort for employers who can’t find coverage elsewhere.
The rules on who must buy are tightening. Roofers (C-39) have always needed comp, even with no employees, and since 2023 so have concrete (C-8), HVAC (C-20), asbestos abatement (C-22) and tree and palm (D-49) licensees. Under SB 216, as delayed by SB 1455, every licensed contractor needs a policy starting January 1, 2028, and CSLB must have a process to verify no-employee exemptions by January 1, 2027.
State Fund often fits small California contractors who were turned down elsewhere or want a single, local insurer.
A private carrier may fit contractors who want to bundle comp with general liability and auto, work in more than one state, or get a sharper rate for their class code.
As your broker, we quote State Fund and private carriers side by side so you can compare price, payment plans and service before you choose. Call (949) 868-7350.
California Contractor Insurance FAQ
Does California require general liability insurance for contractors?
Not for most licenses. Contractors licensed as an LLC must carry at least $1 million in liability coverage, plus $100,000 for each member over five, up to $5 million. Contractors building single-family homes must also tell the homeowner in writing whether they carry commercial general liability. Most general contractors require $1M/$2M either way.
What bonds does a California contractor need?
Every active license needs a $25,000 contractor license bond on file with the CSLB. Contractors licensed as an LLC also need a $100,000 LLC employee/worker bond. Many public and private projects add bid, performance and payment bonds.
Do I need workers' comp in California if I have no employees?
Today most licensees with no employees can file an exemption. Concrete (C-8), HVAC (C-20), asbestos abatement (C-22), roofing (C-39) and tree and palm (D-49) licensees must carry it anyway. Under SB 216, every licensed contractor will need workers' comp by January 1, 2028. CSLB must have a process to verify no-employee exemptions by January 1, 2027.
How long can a California contractor be sued for construction defects?
Up to 10 years after a project is finished for latent defects, the kind that aren't visible on a reasonable inspection. Completed operations coverage is what responds to those claims, so we make sure it's on your policy.
Do I need a contractor license for a small job in California?
Since January 1, 2025, you need a CSLB license for any job of $1,000 or more in labor and materials. Below that, you still need one if the job requires a building permit or you use anyone to help. Working without a license can void your contracts and your ability to collect.
Contact
Call
info@hardhatinsurance.net
Hard Hat Insurance is a specialized marketing division of Bearstar Insurance Services.
Insurance services provided by Bearstar Insurance Services.
Jesus Galvan is a licensed insurance broker in CA, ID, NV, OR, TX and WA, serving contractors in AZ, CO and across the western U.S. California License #4291921.
Other license numbers available upon request. Coverage availability varies by state.
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