Californiacontractor insurance & bonding requirements
Updated April 2026 · Source: CSLB B-Class + California Code of Regulations §823
Minimum requirements
- General liability
- $1,000,000
- Auto liability
- $500,000
- Surety bond
- $25,000
- Workers' comp
- Required for crews
Licensed general contractors in Californiacarry commercial insurance so that if a crew member gets injured on-site, a homeowner's appliance is damaged during demo, or a neighboring property suffers an impact from construction, the contractor's policy (not the homeowner's) pays the claim. AskBaily does not match homeowners to contractors below these minimums.
Contractor bond $25K; qualifier bond $25K if exempt from license status.
Common questions
What insurance does a California general contractor need?
A California general contractor needs at minimum $1,000,000 general liability coverage plus $500,000 auto liability. Workers' compensation insurance is required for crews. Per CSLB B-Class + California Code of Regulations §823.
How much is the surety bond for California contractors?
California requires a minimum $25,000 surety bond at the license level. Some project-size tiers or local authorities require additional project-specific bonds. See CSLB B-Class + California Code of Regulations §823 for the current schedule.
Who is the licensing authority in California?
CSLB B-Class + California Code of Regulations §823 is the authority for California contractor oversight. Public license lookup is available at https://www.cslb.ca.gov/.
How does AskBaily verify contractors in California?
AskBaily runs automated verification against CSLB B-Class + California Code of Regulations §823 before a contractor is matched to a homeowner project. The pro's license number is validated live at signup.
What happens if a contractor doesn't carry the required insurance?
Underinsured contractors are removed from the AskBaily match pool immediately. A homeowner who hires an unlicensed or underinsured contractor in California can lose the right to mechanic's lien protection, may be held liable for on-site injuries, and forfeits protection under CSLB B-Class + California Code of Regulations §823. That's why AskBaily's policy is to match only verified pros.
Nearby jurisdictions
AskBaily cities in California
Homeowners in these cities can chat with Baily today; matched pros must meet the requirements above.
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