Fencing Contractor Insurance in California (C-13)

What the C-13 license covers

The CSLB’s definition

“A fencing contractor constructs, erects, alters, or repairs all types of fences, corrals, runs, railings, cribs, game court enclosures, guard rails and barriers, playground game equipment, backstops, posts, flagpoles, and gates, excluding masonry walls.”

Most fence claims start underground or on the road: a post hole that strikes a utility line, or a loaded trailer in an accident. Injuries from augers, post drivers and lifting materials drive the comp side.

The C-13 coverage stack

General Liability — with no exclusion for damage to underground utilities
Workers’ Compensation — rated 6400
Commercial Auto — trucks and trailers hauling posts, panels and concrete
Inland Marine — augers, post drivers, skid steers and welders
CSLB license bond — the $25,000 bond every C-13 license needs
Excess & Umbrella — for HOA, commercial and public-works contracts

C-13 requirements

What California requires of a C-13 licensee

Requirement	What applies to C-13 fence contractors
Contractor’s license bond	A $25,000 bond is required to activate and keep the license. LLC licensees also need a $100,000 LLC employee/worker bond. How the bond works
Workers’ compensation	Required now if you have even one employee. With no employees you can file a CSLB exemption, but that option ends for every classification on January 1, 2028. Check your requirement
General liability	Required by the CSLB only for LLC licensees (at least $1 million). General contractors and owners require it anyway, usually with additional insured status.

Workers’ comp class code and 2026 rate

Class code	Description	Advisory rate per $100 payroll
6400	Fence construction, metal or wood	$6.02

Source: WCIRB California, approved September 1, 2026 advisory pure premium rates and classification descriptions. These are benchmark loss costs, not quotes: each carrier files its own rates, and your experience mod and credits adjust the final premium.

Fence construction has a single code, 6400. Gate automation or electrical work can fall under other codes, so tell us if your crews install operators or access systems.

Code 6400

$6.02 per $100 of payroll in 2026

Call 811

and check your GL for utility-strike exclusions

WC by 2028

every C-13 needs a policy, employees or not

Common questions

C-13 coverage, answered

What is the workers’ comp class code for fence contractors in California?

Fence construction, metal or wood, is code 6400. The WCIRB’s 2026 advisory rate is $6.02 per $100 of payroll.

Does insurance cover hitting a utility line while digging post holes?

General liability can, but some policies exclude or limit underground damage. Confirm your policy covers it, and call 811 before every dig.

Is general liability required for a C-13 license?

Only for LLC licensees, at least $1 million. HOAs, property managers and general contractors will still require it.

Do fence contractors need workers’ comp with no employees?

A C-13 with no employees can file the CSLB exemption until January 1, 2028. After that every licensee needs a policy.

Fencing Contractor Insurance in California

The CSLB’s definition

The C-13 coverage stack

What California requires of a C-13 licensee

Workers’ comp class code and 2026 rate

C-13 coverage, answered

Get a C-13 quote that fits the work