Contractor’s Insurance

Get a Contractor Insurance Quote

Contractor Insurance for California Trades

Whether you’re framing a home in La Crescenta, remodeling a kitchen in Glendale, bidding a tenant improvement in Pasadena, or running field crews across Los Angeles County, every project carries risk. Jobsite injuries, damaged property, tool theft, auto accidents, and contract requirements are part of the daily reality for California contractors. We help you meet these challenges with coverage designed for your trade, your clients, and your project requirements — no guesswork, no confusion.

Who Needs Contractor Insurance?

Construction crane lifting a container above stacked blocks.

From ground-up construction to full-scale remodels, GCs face high exposure and strict insurance requirements. We help you meet owner, lender, and municipality expectations.

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Plumbers, electricians, HVAC techs, roofers, concrete crews, painters, and all skilled trades require tailored liability, workers’ comp, property, and auto coverage.

Local Contractors We Serve in La Crescenta & Greater Los Angeles

Jobs in Glendale, Montrose, Burbank & Pasadena

We insure contractors working across shopping districts, hillside neighborhoods, commercial plazas, and residential communities throughout these cities.

Projects Across Los Angeles, Orange & Ventura Counties

Whether you’re servicing a single neighborhood or running crews throughout multiple counties, we provide consistent coverage and fast certificates.

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Core Coverages for Contractors

Person with a cast on their left arm, indicating an injury.

Protects you if someone is hurt or if you accidentally damage a client’s property. Required for nearly all contractor licenses, leases, and jobsite access.

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Required in California for any contractor with employees. Covers medical bills and lost wages from jobsite injuries like falls, cuts, burns, or lifting accidents.

Truck icon with a shield and the letter "I" inside.

Covers work trucks, vans, trailers, and vehicles hauling tools or materials. Includes liability, physical damage, and optional hired/non-owned coverage for jobsite errands.

Three interlocking gear icons.

Tools, Equipment & Inland Marine Insurance


Protects your tools, generators, trailers, and equipment from theft or damage — on job sites, in transit, or stored. Critical for trades with expensive gear.

Construction worker laying bricks with a trowel.

Builder’s Risk for Projects Under Construction


Covers structures, materials, and improvements during construction or renovation. Required by many lenders and project owners for ground-up and major remodels.

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Bonds, License & Permit Requirements


From California contractor license bonds to performance and payment bonds, we help you meet CSLB licensing rules and job-specific bonding requirements.

California Contractor Requirements & Compliance

  • CSLB Licensing & Insurance Expectations: Most contractors need general liability (highly recommended), workers’ comp (required if you have employees), and a $25,000 contractor license bond to stay compliant.


  • Limits Often Required by GCs, Owners & Municipalities: We help you meet requirements such as $1M/$2M liability limits, primary/noncontributory wording, waiver of subrogation, and additional insured endorsements.


  • Meeting Contract & Certificate of Insurance (COI) Language: Fast certificates are critical for inspections, jobsite access, and payment releases. We handle COIs quickly — often the same day.

Tailored Insurance for Different Trades

  • Residential Remodeling & Handyman Work: Coverage for carpentry, finish work, small remodels, and jobs inside occupied homes.


  • Commercial & Tenant Improvement Contractors: Solutions for interior buildouts, offices, retail spaces, restaurants, and commercial renovations.


  • Specialty Trades: Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC, Roofing, Concrete, Painting — each with unique liability, equipment, and workers’ comp exposures.

Why Contractors Choose Express Center Insurance

30+ Years Serving Southern California Construction


We understand local jobsite requirements and the unique risks of hillside, commercial, and residential contracting.

Fast Certificates, Additional Insureds & Endorsements

We know how urgent COIs can be for bids, inspections, and project funding — we respond quickly.

Support for New Ventures, Lapsed Coverage & Hard-to-Place Risks

Whether you’re starting a new contracting business, coming back after a lapse, or have prior claims, we help you find solutions.

FAQs About Contractor Insurance in California

  • What insurance do I need as a contractor in California?

    Most contractors need general liability, a license bond, and workers’ comp if they have employees. Many also need commercial auto and tool/equipment coverage.

  • Is contractor insurance required in California?

    Some coverages are required (license bond, workers’ comp), and others are required by project owners or general contractors.

  • How much contractor insurance do I need for a remodeling business in LA County?

    Typical limits start at $1M/$2M for liability, but some commercial jobs require higher limits or umbrella coverage.

  • What about subcontractors working under me?

    You may need proof of their insurance and additional insured endorsements to stay compliant with contracts.

  • Can you help me if I need coverage quickly for a bid?

    Yes — we frequently turn around quotes and certificates fast for tight bid deadlines.

How to Get a Contractor Insurance Quote

Use Our Online Contractor & Construction Forms

Upload your info quickly so we can prepare accurate quotes.

Call or Text Ed for Immediate Help on Bids & Jobs

Direct access means fast answers when a GC, project manager, or city inspector requests paperwork.