It is not easy to become a contractor in California. A contractor must be at least 18 years if age and have at least four years experience at the journeyman level. The applicant for the license must also take and pass a law and trade examination. A person who completes all the requirements and becomes a license contractor must then have California contractor insurance.
This insurance is required by law and is quite lengthy. They must have Additional Insured and Additional, Additional (A1) and Blanket A1 Endorsements. They must also have Bodily Injury; Deductible; Liability; General Liability; Liability and property damage. This massive coverage is to cover the many possible accidents that can happen on a construction project.
These policies assure the property owner that if they are injured or their property is damaged by the contractor they will be reimbursed. It also covers other people, such as employees or visitors should an accident occur. It is never known when something will happen that will cause damage or cause injury to someone on the construction site.
Anyone hiring a contractor to do a job should ask to see his or her Certificate of Liability Insurance. This is a small certificate that names the Certificate Holder (insurance company) involved and asserts that the contractor has liability insurance. This gives a sense of relief to the property owner should an accident or other mishap occur.
Construction projects are considered one of the most dangerous places of employment. People are injured every day by falling objects, scaffolding giving way and other such misfortunes. This type of accident involves considerable expense and having adequate coverage is essential before ever starting a job.
Having adequate California contractor’s insurance also protects the contractor from charges or a lawsuit should something accidentally happen on the premises. This insurance is especially in working on small projects, such as in a home, where there may be priceless art or other objects that might be damaged by one of their employees. Paint is spilled, boards fall over, and many things unforeseen can happen which results in repairs having to be made.
In California, proof of contractor’s insurance must be filed with the state. Anyone found working without California contractor insurance is subject to a severe fine and can have their license temporarily suspended or revoked all together. Having the right insurance is a protection, both for the contractor and the person or persons they are working for.
California contractor insurance
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