Contractor Insurance
Bay Area contractors need insurance that moves as fast as they do. Same-day certificates, pay-as-you-go workers comp, and coverage built for your trade — from HVAC to landscaping to electrical.
Your GC Needs a Certificate by 5pm. Can Your Agent Deliver?
At least twice a week, a contractor calls our office with the same story: “I need a certificate by end of day or I can’t start the job tomorrow.” Additional insured, primary and non-contributory, waiver of subrogation — the whole package.
If your agent takes 3-5 days to deliver a certificate, you’re losing work. Period.
And if you’re still paying a massive workers comp deposit upfront and getting hit with surprise audit bills at year-end, your cash flow is suffering for no reason.
We solve both problems.
Trades We Cover Across the Peninsula & SF
Don’t see your trade? Call us — chances are we’ve covered it.
What Contractor Insurance Actually Includes
General Liability (CGL)
The foundation. Covers bodily injury, property damage, completed operations, and products liability. GCs in the Peninsula and SF require $1M minimum — we recommend $2M because of the high cost of living, aggressive plaintiff attorneys, and expensive homes you’re working in.
Workers Compensation
Required by California law if you have employees. Penalties for not having it: up to $500K fine and possible jail time. We offer pay-as-you-go workers comp from select carriers — you pay premium on actual payroll each period instead of estimating upfront and getting hit with a surprise audit bill.
Commercial Auto
If you use your truck for work, your personal auto policy won’t cover tools in the truck, materials you’re transporting, or liability when driving for work. Commercial auto fills every gap.
Inland Marine (Tools & Equipment)
Your tools are worth real money. Commercial auto covers the vehicle, not the contents. One truck break-in in SF and you’re replacing everything out of pocket — unless you have inland marine coverage with replacement cost.
Umbrella
Extends your GL limits for when a serious job goes sideways. If you’re doing commercial work or public projects, GCs often require $2M-5M in total liability anyway.
Pay-As-You-Go Workers Comp: A Game-Changer for Contractors
The Old Way
- ×Estimate annual payroll upfront (usually wrong)
- ×Pay a big deposit (25-50% of estimated premium)
- ×Make monthly payments on the estimate
- ×Get audited at year-end
- ×Receive a surprise bill (or wait months for a refund)
The Better Way
- ✓No upfront deposit (or minimal)
- ✓Report actual payroll each pay period
- ✓Pay premium on what you actually paid employees
- ✓No year-end audit surprise
- ✓Cash flow stays in your business
For contractors with fluctuating or seasonal payroll, this is a game-changer. You’re paying on real numbers, not guesses — and that deposit money stays working in your business instead of sitting with the carrier.
Several of our preferred A-rated carriers offer pay-as-you-go. We match you based on your trade, size, and payroll patterns.
Same-Day Certificate of Insurance Delivery
When the GC needs proof of coverage before you start a job, we deliver. Most certificate requests are turned around the same day — including additional insured endorsements, primary and non-contributory language, and waiver of subrogation.
What we handle:
- Certificate of Insurance (COI)
- Additional Insured Endorsements
- Primary & Non-Contributory
- Waiver of Subrogation
- Direct delivery to the GC
Send us the contract requirements. We’ll have the certificate in your inbox — or your GC’s — within hours, not days.
Paul’s Take
“Contractors need two things from their insurance agent: fast certificates and workers comp that doesn’t wreck their cash flow. I’ve been insuring Bay Area contractors since the 1970s — plumbers, electricians, HVAC techs, painters, landscapers. The contractors who come to us almost always have the same story: their last agent was slow on certificates and they lost a job because of it. That doesn’t happen here. We deliver same-day, and with pay-as-you-go workers comp, your cash flow stays where it belongs — in your business.”
— Paul Nadler, Principal
The 5 Most Expensive Contractor Insurance Mistakes
Using personal auto for work
Your personal policy won’t cover tools, materials, or liability when driving for business. One accident and you’re personally exposed.
Skipping workers comp
California law requires it if you have employees. Fines up to $500K. Not worth the risk.
$1M GL when the GC requires $2M
You show up to the job, certificate doesn’t meet requirements, GC sends you home. Lost time, lost money.
No inland marine
Tools stolen from your truck? Without inland marine, you’re replacing everything out of pocket. Commercial auto doesn’t cover contents.
Misclassifying workers comp
Putting everyone under the cheapest class code is fraud. When you have a claim, the carrier investigates. If they find misclassification, they can deny the claim and you’re personally liable.
Get the Contractor’s Insurance Playbook — Free
We’re finalizing a comprehensive guide covering GL, workers comp (including pay-as-you-go), commercial auto, tools coverage, and the COI process — written specifically for Bay Area contractors by Paul & Zach Nadler. Drop your email and we’ll send it to you as soon as it’s ready.
Need a Certificate by End of Day?
We deliver same-day for most requests. Whether you need a new policy, a certificate for tomorrow’s job, or workers comp that doesn’t wreck your cash flow — call us.