What Matters Most
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Confirming a contractor's general liability insurance can feel frustrating and confusing. The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) won’t always give you a clear answer. You might be left wondering where to look next, or whether the contractor you’re interested in is insured at all. How do you confirm this information?
Shugarman's Bath has completed more than 7,000 tub and shower remodels across San Diego and Orange County. All of our jobs carried general liability insurance to protect the homeowner. We know how a homeowner can confirm coverage and protect themselves before signing anything.
This article covers where to find a contractor's general liability insurance, what the CSLB shows, and why a written commitment in your contract matters more than a certificate of insurance.
Table of Contents:
- How Do You Confirm a Remodeling Contractor Has General Liability Insurance?
- What Does the CSLB Show?
- Does a Certificate of Insurance Guarantee Coverage for the Whole Project?
How Do You Confirm a Remodeling Contractor Has General Liability Insurance?
You can confirm a remodeling contractor has general liability insurance in three ways.
- Start by checking the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Some contractors list their general liability insurance there, though not every company does.
- Contact the contractor directly and ask for the name of the contractor's insurance agent, or ask the contractor to request it for you. Once you have it, confirm the certificate shows general liability coverage, along with the policy dates and liability limits.
- The strongest protection is having the contractor explicitly state in their contract that they have general liability coverage. A contractor can cancel their general liability insurance at any time. The contract is legally binding. If your contract states that they carry general liability and they cancel anyway, you have legal grounds to hold them to what they promised.
Shugarman's Bath states that it has general liability in every contract, including the carrier, the insurance agent, and their contact information. That means you can request a certificate of insurance at any time. Because it's written into a binding contract, you can be protected if that coverage isn’t in place after signing.
What Does the CSLB Show?
The CSLB sometimes lists whether a contractor carries general liability insurance, but this isn't consistent across every company. You’ll see this information for Limited Liability Companies (LLCs). California law requires LLC-licensed contractors to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance to hold that license. Sole proprietorships, corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, and tribal businesses don't have that same requirement.
A CSLB listing can also change over time. A contractor in good standing today can have their insurance lapse later. That update does not always show up right away.
Does a Certificate of Insurance Guarantee Coverage for the Whole Project?
No, a certificate of insurance does not guarantee coverage through a whole project. A certificate of insurance only confirms coverage as of the day it was issued.
You can request an updated certificate closer to your start date. However, the certificate is still a snapshot. Your contract stating that the contractor carries general liability insurance is what will give you the best protection.
Make General Liability Insurance Part of the Conversation
The CSLB might not give you the answer you’re looking for. You're better off contacting the contractor directly and requesting a certificate of insurance. Best practice is to make sure your remodeling contract states plainly that they carry general liability coverage.
Now that you know how to confirm whether a contractor has general liability coverage, read our guide on finding the right contractor for a tub or shower remodel. While the guide focuses on tub and shower remodeling, you can use these parameters to find a good contractor for any part of home improvement.
If you have questions about our coverage or general inquiries about tub and shower remodeling, contact Shugarman's Bath today to speak with an expert.
The opinions expressed in the referenced materials are those of the authors only, not necessarily of Shugarman’s Bath. While these referenced materials are useful in answering generalized questions, each bathroom is unique. For a particular question about your tub or shower remodeling project, contact your Shugarman’s Bath consultant.
