Congrats on your new CSLB license

Your first GC will ask for a certificate of insurance

You’ve filed your bond and handled workers’ comp to activate your license. The next thing almost every general contractor and commercial client asks for is general liability, on a certificate that names them. We’ll get you covered and get you that certificate the same day.

Get my quote Call 800-897-8221
Your first-job checklist

What a general contractor will ask you for

Licensing gets you allowed to work. A certificate of insurance gets you on the jobsite. Before your first subcontract starts, expect the GC to ask for proof of the coverage on the right, often with their company named as additional insured and a waiver of subrogation.

Insureaze is a California broker that works only with contractors. We compare carriers for your trade, explain coverage without the jargon, and our clients issue their own certificates instantly from our portal, so you never lose a job waiting on paperwork. Read the full first-year checklist.

Before your first job

  • General liability — usually $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate, with the GC as additional insured
  • Certificate of insurance — issued instantly from our portal once you’re covered
  • Workers’ comp or your CSLB exemption — required for some trades now, for everyone on January 1, 2028
  • Commercial auto — if your truck is in the business name or carries crews and equipment
  • Tools and equipment — once your gear costs more than you could replace out of pocket
Common questions

New license, answered

I just got my contractor license. What insurance do I need?
Your license already required the $25,000 CSLB bond and either workers’ comp or a no-employee exemption. The next thing nearly every general contractor or commercial client asks for is general liability, usually $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, shown on a certificate of insurance that names them as additional insured. LLC licensees are also required by the CSLB to carry general liability.
Is general liability required for a new California contractor’s license?
Only for LLC licensees, who must carry at least $1 million. Sole proprietors and corporations aren’t required to by the CSLB, but most general contractors, property managers and commercial owners won’t let you start without it.
How fast can I get a certificate of insurance?
Once your policy is in place, Insureaze clients pull certificates instantly from our client portal, any time of day, including additional insured and waiver of subrogation wording when the policy includes it.
Do I need workers’ comp if I have no employees?
C-8, C-20, C-22, C-39 and C-61/D-49 licensees need it regardless of employees. Everyone else can file the CSLB exemption until January 1, 2028, when it ends for every classification. Any employee means you need a policy now.

Get covered before your first job starts

Tell us your trade and what the GC is asking for. Real options back to you, usually within one business day, and your certificate issued instantly once you’re covered.

Get my quote Call 800-897-8221