How is general contractor insurance different from a subcontractor's policy?

A GC's program has to do double duty: carry your own GL, WC, and (often) fleet coverage, AND manage additional insured, primary/noncontributory, and waiver of subrogation status flowing up from every subcontractor on the job. A sub only has to satisfy your requirements — you have to build and enforce them.

Do general contractors need to enroll in an OCIP or CCIP wrap-up?

It depends on the project — an owner-controlled (OCIP) or contractor-controlled (CCIP) wrap-up consolidates GL and WC coverage for everyone on a specific job under one program, which changes what your standalone policy needs to do on that project versus your other work. Confirm wrap-up requirements per contract, not as a blanket assumption.

What GL limits do California GCs typically carry?

Commonly $1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate as a floor, with umbrella/excess layered on for larger commercial, public works, or multi-story residential jobs — project owners and lenders often set the actual required limit in the contract.

Do I need commercial auto insurance for company trucks running between job sites?

Yes, if the vehicles are owned, leased, or regularly used for business — a personal auto policy typically excludes business use, and if the vehicle meets CA Motor Carrier Permit (MCP-65) thresholds, that's a separate DMV requirement on top of the insurance itself.

What's the right way to verify a subcontractor's certificate of insurance?

A documented process, not a verbal check — confirm the certificate holder name matches your contract exactly, that the additional insured status is a real policy endorsement (not just a name on the COI), and that limits and expiration dates actually meet your subcontract requirements before the sub starts work.

California — General Contractor Insurance Specialists

General Contractor Insurance

A general contractor's insurance program does more work than a subcontractor's: it has to carry your own general liability and workers' comp, collect and verify certificates of insurance from every subcontractor on the job, and often enroll in an owner-controlled or contractor-controlled wrap-up (OCIP/CCIP) that changes who's actually providing coverage on a given project. If your crews or equipment move between job sites in company trucks, that's a separate commercial auto and MCP-65 conversation on top of it. Fast, affordable quotes from California-licensed specialists — get a quote today.

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Coverage availability, terms, and pricing vary by carrier, classification, risk profile, and state. Nothing on this page constitutes a binding coverage determination. Turnaround times for quotes and certificates of insurance depend on the completeness and accuracy of the information provided, the complexity of the risk, and carrier requirements. We are not responsible for delays caused by incomplete submissions or information not provided in advance.

Coverage availability, terms, and pricing vary by carrier, classification, risk profile, and state. Turnaround times for quotes and certificates of insurance depend on the completeness and accuracy of the information provided, the complexity of the risk, and carrier requirements. We are not responsible for delays caused by incomplete submissions or information not provided in advance.

Why General Contractors Choose Us for GC Insurance

General contractors carry a different kind of insurance responsibility than a single-trade subcontractor: your own general liability and workers' comp have to be in place, but you're also the one collecting, verifying, and enforcing certificates of insurance from every subcontractor on the job — and on some projects, coordinating an owner-controlled or contractor-controlled wrap-up (OCIP/CCIP) that changes who's actually providing coverage. If your operation runs its own trucks between job sites, that adds a commercial auto and MCP-65 conversation most single-trade subs never have to think about. We build GC programs around that full picture — occurrence-form GL with the additional insured and primary/noncontributory endorsements your subcontract language actually requires, workers' comp priced against your real payroll and EMR, and fleet coverage that's coordinated with the rest of your program rather than bolted on separately.

Why contractors choose us

California Licensed Insurance Specialists — CA Lic. 0K70385
Multiple Top-Rated Carrier Partners — We Shop, You Save
Construction & Transportation Focus — We Know Your Trade

Carrier partners include:

TravelersThe HartfordLiberty MutualCNANationwideMarkelZurichChubbGUARDICW GroupEmployersAIG

+ 38 additional carrier markets

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Coverage in Your General Contractors Program

Coverage lines available for General Contractor Insurance operations. Not every line is required for every contractor — we'll help you build the right program for your risk profile and contract requirements.

General Liability & Subcontractor Risk Transfer

Occurrence-form GL (ISO CG 00 01) built to both carry your own risk and manage additional insured (CG 20 10/CG 20 37) and primary/noncontributory (CG 20 01) status flowing up from your subs.

OCIP/CCIP Wrap-Up Coordination

Guidance on wrap-up enrollment and how it changes your program when a project owner or you, as GC, control a consolidated insurance program across the job.

Commercial Auto & Fleet Coverage

Commercial auto liability and physical damage for company trucks moving crews, tools, and materials between job sites, coordinated with your CA DMV Motor Carrier Permit (MCP-65) if applicable.

General Contractors Insurance — Frequently Asked Questions

California-specific answers for general contractor insurance operations. For more, see our full contractor insurance FAQ or call 844-978-7283.

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Coverage availability, pricing, and terms vary by carrier, trade classification, risk profile, and state. The answers above are general in nature and do not constitute a binding coverage determination or legal advice. Availability is not guaranteed and depends on underwriting review.

Related Coverage & Resources

California Contractors Insurance Project Wrap Insurance (OCIP/CCIP)Commercial Auto Insurance for Contractors

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