If you’re a contractor in California — handyman, electrician, HVAC, plumber, painter, landscaper, drywall, flooring, roofer, or any small trade — most general contractors, property managers, and direct clients will not put you on the job without proof of general liability insurance. The market standard is $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate. CoverToday is a Los Angeles-based independent broker writing GL for trades since 2016, with COIs delivered in hours so you don’t lose a job to paperwork.
What general liability covers
- Bodily injury — if a third party gets hurt because of your work (someone trips on your toolbox, an apprentice drops a hammer on a homeowner’s foot).
- Property damage — if you damage the property you’re working on or adjacent property (water leak from a plumbing job, a paint splash, a hole in a wall).
- Completed operations — covers claims after you finish the job (a roof leaks 6 months later because of your work).
- Personal & advertising injury — covers claims like libel or copyright infringement in your business activities.
What GL does NOT cover
GL is general liability — it does NOT cover: damage to your tools or equipment (need Inland Marine), injuries to your own employees (need Workers’ Comp), poor workmanship claims unless they cause secondary damage (need Professional Liability), or your vehicles (need Commercial Auto). Most California contractors carry GL plus Workers’ Comp plus Commercial Auto bundled into a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP).
What it costs
A small one-person trade in California typically pays $400–$1,200/year for $1M/$2M general liability, depending on trade, gross receipts, and claims history. Roofers, HVAC, and electrical trades are higher risk and price higher than painters, handymen, or landscapers. Annual gross receipts above $250k usually push you to a higher premium tier.
How CoverToday writes contractor GL
- Multi-carrier shopping — we work with carriers who write each trade specifically. We don’t quote a roofer with a painter carrier and vice versa.
- COI delivery in hours — most contractors call us when they need a COI to start a job tomorrow. We can often issue same-day coverage and have your COI in your inbox within 2–3 hours.
- Bilingual service — English and Russian.
- BOP bundling — we’ll quote GL on its own or as part of a BOP that adds property + business income protection.
Get a quote today
Call or text 310-299-5555. Have your trade, gross receipts last 12 months, number of employees, and the COI requirements from the contracting party ready. CoverToday Insurance Agency, LLC. CA License #0K77310.