In California, contractor general liability has published minimums, or floors, instead of one price. For $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, Hiscox's general liability starts as low as $350 a year, Blitz's contractor program at $500 plus taxes and fees, and BTIS's Brivado program at $500 depending on the class.[1][2][3] Above those minimums, your premium depends on your trade, your payroll and subcontractor costs, your claims history and the endorsements your contracts require.
This guide is for a California contractor budgeting for a first policy, a renewal or a bid on a bigger contract. It covers the published minimums, what insurers actually rate, why two contractors who bill the same amount pay different premiums, what is added on top of the base premium, and how the audit changes your total annual cost. When you're ready, start the contractor general liability application and we'll price it with several contractor programs.
What is the minimum cost of contractor general liability in California?
The lowest published starting points in Menlo's carrier files are these, all for California contractors:
| Program | Paper | Published minimum | Limits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiscox general liability | Admitted | From $350 a year | Up to $2M online, $5M on request | Contractor classes carry a minimum earned premium[1] |
| Blitz contractors | Non-admitted | $500 plus taxes and fees, $750 for a package | Up to $1M/$2M | Blanket additional insured, primary/non-contributory and waiver of subrogation at no charge[2] |
| Brivado (BTIS) | Non-admitted, A-XV | From $500, varies by class code | $1M/$2M/$2M, $1,000 deductible | 25% minimum earned premium. Blanket AI and waiver included[3] |
| Best Choice (CNA, BTIS) | Admitted | Not published | $1M/$2M/$2M | Blanket AI with waiver and primary/non-contributory included[6] |
| VETA (BTIS) | Non-admitted, A- | Not published | $1M/$2M/$2M, $0 deductible | Tools package $100 or $200[7] |
A minimum is the least the program will charge for any policy. A one-person contractor in a low-risk trade often pays close to it, while a bigger or riskier contractor pays a rate on its exposures that lands well above it.
We don't publish an average contractor premium. Menlo's own quotes span too many trades and business sizes to average honestly, and the carriers' filed rates vary by class.
What do insurers rate a contractor's general liability on?
They rate exposures, not the contract price you charge. RLI's contractor program states it plainly: gross sales are not a rating exposure there, and the premium basis is payroll and subcontractor costs.[4] Other programs use gross receipts for some classes. Either way, the application asks for:
| What they ask | Why it moves the price |
|---|---|
| Your trade (class code) | Roofing and excavation carry more injury and damage risk than interior painting. Each class has its own rate |
| Payroll, owners included | Owner and employee payroll, excluding clerical, is a rating base in many programs[4] |
| Subcontractor costs | Insured subs are rated at a low rate. Uninsured subs are rated as employees[4] |
| Gross receipts | Sets eligibility. Best Choice takes contractors up to $1.5 million in receipts, Brivado up to $15 million[6][3] |
| New residential construction | Tract and subdivision work raises the price or ends eligibility. Brivado caps new homes at 25 a year in California[3] |
| Years in business | New ventures are accepted with 2 years of trade experience on Brivado and 3 on RLI[3][8] |
| Claims history | Recent claims raise the rate or move you to a surplus lines program |
Why do two contractors with the same revenue pay different premiums?
Because revenue isn't what's rated. Take two contractors who each bill $600,000 a year. One is a remodeler who pays $250,000 to insured subcontractors and has one employee. The other does all of the work with an in-house crew and $300,000 of payroll. The second has more payroll exposure, and if any of the first contractor's subs were uninsured, their cost would be rated as payroll too.[4]
Trade affects rating just as much. A carpentry contractor and a roofer with identical payroll land in different class rates, and some small-business programs exclude roofing completely.[9] A contractor who was declined for its trade can read our guide to contractor general liability after a non-renewal.
What is added on top of the premium?
Three things can raise the total above the premium line:
- Surplus lines tax and fees. A non-admitted policy carries California's 3% surplus lines tax and a 0.18% stamping fee, collected by the broker.[5] Our surplus lines tax table shows how it's figured.
- Policy and program fees. Blitz quotes its minimums "plus taxes & fees."[2]
- Endorsements. Programs that include blanket additional insured, waiver of subrogation and primary/non-contributory wording cost nothing extra for those forms.[2][3] Others charge for each one, so compare quotes with the same wording.
How does the audit change what I pay?
The first premium is a deposit based on an estimate of payroll, subcontractor costs or receipts. At the end of the policy period, the insurer audits your actual figures and either bills you for the difference or refunds it. Underestimating payroll leads to a bill later, and uninsured subcontractors found at audit are charged as employees.[4] Keep a certificate from every sub on file.
Cancelling before the policy expires doesn't always return the unused premium. Brivado retains 25% as a minimum earned premium.[3]
How much general liability does a California contractor need?
At least what your contracts and the law require. An LLC licensee with five or fewer people on the personnel of record must carry liability insurance with an aggregate limit of at least $1,000,000, increasing by $100,000 for each additional person up to a maximum of $5,000,000.[10] Every home improvement contract must also tell the owner whether you carry commercial general liability and with which insurer.[11]
Most contracts ask for $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, which is the standard limit on every program above. Umbrella or excess policies usually provide higher limits above the general liability.
Frequently asked questions
How much does $1 million general liability cost for a contractor?
Is general liability cheaper for a contractor with no employees?
Usually, because payroll is a main rating base. The owner's own payroll is still counted in many programs, and uninsured subcontractors are rated as employees.[4]
Do surplus lines policies cost more?
They add California's 3% surplus lines tax and a 0.18% stamping fee.[5] The premium itself can be higher or lower than an admitted quote, and surplus lines programs often take trades admitted insurers decline.
Can I lower my contractor GL premium?
Report payroll and subcontract costs accurately, collect certificates from every sub, keep your class descriptions precise, and compare programs with the same endorsements. A higher deductible also lowers the price where a program offers one.
This guide is general information based on California law and carrier program sheets dated 2023–2026. Rates and minimums change, and your policy's terms control. Menlo Insurance Services (CA license 6020106) is a licensed broker that may earn a commission on a placement. Non-admitted insurers are not backed by the California Insurance Guarantee Association.
References
- 1.Hiscox. “Hiscox NOW Product Info.” 2026. https://6041899.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6041899/Carrier%20Store%20Resources/Hiscox/Product%20Info.pdf ↩
- 2.Blitz Insurance. “Contractors.” 2025. https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6849cf37787dd9efa946a7bf/690399d1e0fd240190510d02_Contractors%20%20PDF%20V2.pdf ↩
- 3.BTIS. “Brivado Contractor General Liability, Ver. 10.24.25.” 2025. https://6041899.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6041899/Carrier%20Store%20Resources/BTIS/brivado_highlights_102425.pdf ↩
- 4.RLI. “What You Need to Know About General Contractors and Subcontractors (CPC-MK528).” 2024. https://6041899.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6041899/Carrier%20Store%20Resources/RLI%20Contrac%20Pac/Contractors_What%20You%20Need%20to%20Know.pdf ↩
- 5.Surplus Line Association of California. “Broker Taxes and Fees.” Accessed 2026-09-27. https://www.slacal.com/resources/broker-taxes-fees ↩
- 6.BTIS. “Best Choice Contractor General Liability (CNA).” 2025. https://6041899.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6041899/Carrier%20Store%20Resources/BTIS/best_choice_highlights_082825.pdf ↩
- 7.BTIS. “VETA Contractor General Liability.” 2023. https://6041899.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6041899/Carrier%20Store%20Resources/BTIS/veta_highlights_050924.pdf ↩
- 8.RLI. “Contrac Pac Program Features (CP-MK500).” 2024. https://6041899.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6041899/Carrier%20Store%20Resources/RLI%20Contrac%20Pac/Quickwrite%20Features.pdf ↩
- 9.MGT Insurance. “Navigation Guide: Artisan Contractors.” 2026. https://6041899.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6041899/Carrier%20Store%20Resources/MGT/artisancontractors-mgtinsurance-navigation-guide.pdf ↩
- 10.California Legislative Information. “Business and Professions Code section 7071.19.” Accessed 2026-09-27. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=7071.19.&lawCode=BPC ↩
- 11.California Legislative Information. “Business and Professions Code section 7159.” Accessed 2026-09-27. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=7159.&lawCode=BPC ↩