From North Park kitchens to Kearny Mesa contractors and shops downtown, San Diego employers need workers’ comp from their first hire. We compare policies by payroll, classification, and safety record.
Tell us about your team, and a licensed agent will follow up by phone or video with options to compare.
By submitting, you agree a licensed insurance agent may contact you about workers’ compensation options.
Rate changes, contractor licensing rules, and new Cal/OSHA requirements drive most of the questions we hear.
| Business type | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants and bars | Higher benchmark rates for 2026 | California's advisory rates rose 10.4% on average for policies starting September 1, 2026. |
| Contractors | Workers' comp proof for your license | Some trades already need it with no employees, and all licensed contractors will by 2028. |
| Retail and services | Workplace violence prevention plans | Most California employers now need a written plan, and prevention also means fewer claims. |
With benchmark rates up for 2026, we compare your renewal against other insurers before you sign.
We help contractors get the certificate the CSLB needs to keep their license active.
We help you meet reporting deadlines and plan return-to-work steps after an injury.
It may. California’s advisory benchmark rates rose 10.4% on average for policies starting on or after September 1, 2026, though each insurer sets its own rates. Comparing insurers at renewal is one way to offset an increase.
Some already do. Roofing, concrete, HVAC, tree service, and other high-risk trades lost the exemption in 2023, and under current law every CSLB-licensed contractor will need workers’ comp starting January 1, 2028.
It’s a separate requirement, but related. Since July 2024, California requires most employers to have a written workplace violence prevention plan, and preventing incidents also means fewer workers’ comp claims.
It depends on your payroll and claims history. Restaurant classifications fall in the middle of the range, well below construction, and premiums are figured per $100 of payroll, so a quote with your actual payroll is the clearest way to know.
Yes, though it’s simpler at renewal. If you switch mid-term, the old policy is audited through the cancellation date and the new policy starts fresh. Make sure there’s no gap in coverage.
Share your headcount, payroll, and renewal date, and a licensed agent will lay out options by phone or video.
