What insurance does a C-20 contractor need?

Workers' compensation is required by law once they have employees; the CSLB suspends a licence without it. Beyond that, producers usually place: Workers' comp; General liability with completed operations; Commercial auto (service fleets); Tools and equipment; Pollution for refrigerant handling.

How many C-20 contractors are there in California?

11,429 active licences hold the C-20 classification as of 2026-09-06; 11,194 (98%) have workers' comp on file and 8 are exempt.

When do C-20 workers' comp policies renew?

2,182 renew within 90 days. January is the peak month.

Which WCIRB class codes apply to C-20 work?

Most often 5538 (Sheet metal work, shop and outside; HVAC installation), 5183 (Plumbing). The WCIRB assigns the class from the actual operations and payroll, so verify per account in the WCIRB classification search.

CSLB classification · HVAC

C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor

Name: C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor: California licence and insurance statistics
Creator: Birdray
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Installs and services HVAC systems. Residential service shops renew on a tight annual cycle and compare carriers often.

11,429

Active licences

11,194

With workers' comp

98%

2,182

Renewing in 90 days

514

Lapsed or suspended

Exempt

190

New in 90 days

Coverages a producer should expect

›Workers' comp
›General liability with completed operations
›Commercial auto (service fleets)
›Tools and equipment
›Pollution for refrigerant handling

Exposures underwriters ask about

· Service fleet auto
· Attic and rooftop work
· Refrigerant handling

WCIRB classes usually assigned

5538 Sheet metal work, shop and outside; HVAC installation
5183 Plumbing

Governing class depends on actual operations and payroll. Verify with the WCIRB classification search before quoting.

Carriers writing this class

Policies on file, statewide

C-20 workers' comp renewals by month, California

473

Sep

933

Oct

577

Nov

829

Dec

1,391

Jan

842

Feb

893

Mar

976

Apr

1,014

May

1,249

Jun

940

Jul

549

Aug

Sep

Counties with the most

Related classes in HVAC

C-4 Boiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting Contractor C-38 Refrigeration Contractor D-62 Air and Water Balancing

Frequently asked

What does a C-20 licence allow a contractor to do?: Installs and services HVAC systems. Residential service shops renew on a tight annual cycle and compare carriers often.
What insurance does a C-20 contractor need?: Workers' compensation is required by law once they have employees; the CSLB suspends a licence without it. Beyond that, producers usually place: Workers' comp; General liability with completed operations; Commercial auto (service fleets); Tools and equipment; Pollution for refrigerant handling.
How many C-20 contractors are there in California?: 11,429 active licences hold the C-20 classification as of 2026-09-06; 11,194 (98%) have workers' comp on file and 8 are exempt.
When do C-20 workers' comp policies renew?: 2,182 renew within 90 days. January is the peak month.
Which WCIRB class codes apply to C-20 work?: Most often 5538 (Sheet metal work, shop and outside; HVAC installation), 5183 (Plumbing). The WCIRB assigns the class from the actual operations and payroll, so verify per account in the WCIRB classification search.

Selling to C-20 contractors in California?

Birdray runs signal-timed outbound for one agency per territory: the companies behind these numbers, the person to email, and the renewal date, sent from your inbox. The database is free to search.

How the outbound works Search free

Sources: CSLB licence and workers' compensation records, California Secretary of State, OSHA, FMCSA, county permits. Aggregates only; no individual contractor appears on this page. "Active" means a CLEAR licence status. Renewal counts include policies on file with the CSLB expiring in the window. Refreshed weekly; this page as of 2026-09-06. Every field and its source →