Framing Contractor Insurance
Framing is one of the most injury-prone trades in construction, and carriers price it that way. We place framing and rough carpentry contractors with carriers that write the class, and we help keep your crew in the right California wage code.
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Wage threshold applies to policies starting on or after September 1, 2026. See what changed and the 2028 workers' comp deadline.
Where framing contractors get hurt by claims
These are the exposures carriers look at first when they price your policy.
Falls from height
Working on walls, roofs, and open floors makes falls the biggest source of serious claims.
Nail gun injuries
Pneumatic nailers cause frequent injuries to crews and occasionally to others on site.
Structural defects
Framing errors can surface as defect claims years after a building is finished.
Wage code placement
California carpentry payroll is split by wage. Placing workers in the wrong code is expensive at audit.
Coverage most framing contractors carry
We package these together so limits line up with your contracts and nothing overlaps.
General liability
Covers injury and property damage claims, including defects found after completion.
Workers' compensation
Required once you have employees. Required for every California license starting January 1, 2028.
Contractor license bond
Required to hold or renew your license.
Builder's risk
Protects the structure while it is being built, when your contract requires it.
Tools and equipment
Covers nailers, saws, compressors, and lifts.
Umbrella
Adds limits for multi-family and commercial contracts.
Framing / Carpentry insurance rules by state
California
C-5 framers can file a no-employee workers' comp exemption until January 1, 2028. After that date, nearly every license class needs a policy.
California contractor insuranceNevada
Framers need a Nevada State Contractors Board license and a bond. Workers' comp is required once you have employees.
Nevada contractor insuranceArizona
Framers need an Arizona Registrar of Contractors license and a bond. Workers' comp is required once you have employees.
Arizona contractor insuranceTexas
Texas has no statewide framing license, and workers' comp is optional for most employers. Most GCs still require GL and workers' comp from subs.
Texas contractor insuranceFraming / Carpentry insurance questions
Do framing contractors need workers' comp in California with no employees?+
Not yet. C-5 framing contractors with no employees can file an exemption with the CSLB until January 1, 2028. After that date, the exemption ends for nearly every license class under SB 216.
What changed for California carpentry workers' comp in September 2026?+
For policies starting on or after September 1, 2026, the wage threshold between the high-wage and low-wage carpentry codes rose from $41 to $46 an hour, one of the largest jumps of any trade. A framer paid $44 an hour now falls into the more expensive code.
Why is framing insurance expensive?+
Framing has high injury frequency and severity, especially falls, and carries long-tail defect exposure. Your experience, loss history, the size of buildings you frame, and your safety program all affect price.
Do I need builder's risk as a framer?+
Usually the owner or general contractor carries builder's risk. If your contract makes you responsible for the structure during framing, you may need it. Read the insurance section of the contract before you start.
Get your framing / carpentry insurance quote
Free and no obligation. Most quotes are returned within one business day.