General liability insurance for California businesses
California doesn't mandate general liability for most businesses, but leases, client contracts and some licenses do. We help California companies choose limits, add the endorsements contracts ask for, and issue certificates quickly.
- Home care organization license
- $1M / $3M
- General and professional liability, Health and Safety Code 1796.37.
- Business auto minimum
- 30/60/15
- California liability minimums in thousands, effective 2025.
- Contract favorite
- Additional insured
- Landlords and clients often require it on your policy.
When California businesses need general liability
- Your commercial lease requires it
- A client, general contractor or public agency asks for a certificate of insurance and additional insured status
- You're licensed as a home care organization (general and professional liability of at least $1M per occurrence and $3M aggregate)
- Your team works on customers' premises
What it covers and what it doesn't
General liability pays for bodily injury and property damage to others, plus personal and advertising injury. It doesn't cover employee injuries (workers' comp, required in California from your first employee), professional mistakes (professional liability), or vehicles. California's minimum auto liability rose to $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident and $15,000 property damage in 2025.
Endorsements California contracts ask for
- Additional insured status for the landlord or client
- Waiver of subrogation
- Primary and non-contributory wording
- Per-project aggregate limits for contractors
Frequently asked questions
Is general liability insurance required in California?
Not by state law for most businesses, but leases, contracts and some licenses require it, including home care organization licenses ($1M per occurrence / $3M aggregate, general and professional liability).
What limits should a small California business carry?
$1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate is the most common starting point. Licensed home care organizations need at least $1 million / $3 million.
Can you add my landlord as an additional insured?
Yes. We add additional insured and other common endorsements and issue the certificate.
Sources: California Health and Safety Code section 1796.37; California Insurance Code minimum auto liability (SB 1107).
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