Electricians (C-10) and plumbers (C-36) are two of the most in-demand trades in California — and two of the most exposed to liability. A wiring mistake causes a house fire. A pipe connection fails and floods a commercial building. Here is what CSLB requires, what your clients require, and what your insurance program should look like.
Electrical and plumbing work are among the highest-liability trades in construction. The work is hidden inside walls, underground, and above ceilings — which means defects are not discovered until something goes wrong, and when something goes wrong, the damage is usually severe. A faulty electrical connection can cause a fire that destroys a building. A failed plumbing joint can cause flooding that ruins everything on the floors below.
That liability exposure is why every general contractor, property manager, and commercial client requires electricians and plumbers to carry robust insurance — and why the CSLB has specific requirements for licensure.
To hold a C-10 (Electrical) or C-36 (Plumbing) contractor license in California, the CSLB requires:
GL for electricians and plumbers covers:
Completed operations coverage is the most critical component for electricians and plumbers. Most GL claims in these trades come from work that was completed and later failed — not from accidents during the job. Make sure your policy includes completed operations with adequate limits.
Standard limits: $1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate. Many commercial clients require $2 million per occurrence.
Electrical and plumbing work involves significant injury risk: electric shock, falls from ladders, burns, cuts from tools, exposure to hazardous materials (asbestos, lead), and back injuries from working in tight spaces.
Workers comp class codes:
| Code | Description | Approx. Rate per $100 Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| 5190 | Electrical Wiring — Within Buildings | $4.50 – $7.00 |
| 5183 | Plumbing — Residential and Commercial | $4.00 – $6.50 |
For a sole proprietor with no employees, expect $2,500 to $5,000 per year under SB 216 requirements. For a business with 3-5 employees, expect $8,000 to $25,000 per year depending on payroll.
Your work van or truck is a commercial vehicle. It hauls tools, equipment, and materials to job sites. It is not covered by personal auto insurance during business use. Read our guide on commercial vs. personal auto.
Your tools are your livelihood. A set of professional electrical or plumbing tools can cost $5,000 to $20,000. Inland marine covers them wherever they are — in your van, at a job site, or in storage. Theft from work vans is one of the most common claims in the trades.
For electricians and plumbers who also do design work (designing electrical systems, specifying plumbing layouts), professional liability covers claims alleging that your design was faulty. This is separate from GL completed operations, which covers faulty workmanship.
Need insurance for your electrical or plumbing business? Via Rapida Services is an authorized Hartford agent. Hartford, rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best, writes complete contractor insurance packages for C-10 and C-36 licensees.
Call 209-670-1556 Business Insurance| Coverage | Electrician (C-10) | Plumber (C-36) |
|---|---|---|
| General Liability ($1M/$2M) | $1,200 – $3,500/yr | $1,200 – $3,500/yr |
| Workers Comp (sole proprietor) | $2,500 – $5,000/yr | $2,500 – $5,000/yr |
| Workers Comp (3-5 employees) | $8,000 – $25,000/yr | $8,000 – $25,000/yr |
| Commercial Auto (1-2 vehicles) | $2,000 – $5,000/yr | $2,000 – $5,000/yr |
| Inland Marine (tools) | $300 – $1,000/yr | $300 – $1,000/yr |
| Contractor Bond ($25K) | $100 – $500/yr | $100 – $500/yr |
General contractors do not wait. When a GC hires you for a job, they need your Certificate of Insurance (COI) before you set foot on the job site. If you cannot produce one quickly, you lose the job to the contractor who can.
Via Rapida issues COIs same day — including additional insured endorsements for the GC and property owner. When a new job comes in, call us and we have your COI ready in hours.