Fast workers' comp coverage for construction, roofing, HVAC, and landscaping businesses in San Diego, CA. Same-day COI. PEO-backed. No year-end audit.
San Diego County has one of the most active residential construction markets in California, driven by strong population growth and ongoing military housing development. Small contractors in San Diego face strict CSLB compliance requirements — all licensed contractors must carry active workers' comp or file a valid exemption.
Workers comp rates in California are calculated per $100 in payroll and vary by class code. Below are typical rates for the most common industries in San Diego.
| Trade | Code | Rate / $100 Payroll | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roofing | 5552 | $22.00–$28.00 | High |
| Framing / Carpentry | 5645 | $14.00–$18.00 | High |
| Concrete | 5213 | $9.00–$13.00 | Medium |
| Electrical | 5190 | $5.00–$8.00 | Medium |
| Plumbing | 5183 | $5.50–$9.00 | Medium |
| Home Health | 8835 | $3.00–$6.00 | Low |
| Landscaping | 0042 | $7.00–$11.00 | Medium |
| Demolition | 5213 | $12.00–$18.00 | High |
* Rates are estimates. Actual rates depend on claims history, exact class code, and PEO program. Call for an exact quote.
A PEO (Professional Employer Organization) acts as a co-employer of your workers. Instead of buying an individual workers' comp policy — which requires a large deposit and an annual audit — you join the PEO's master plan. This means you pay weekly based on your actual payroll, there's no upfront deposit, and no year-end audit. For contractors in San Diego working in high-risk industries like construction, roofing, or towing, the PEO model is often the only way to get affordable, fast coverage.
In California, the Workers' Compensation Act (Labor Code §3700) requires all employers — including sole proprietors with even one employee — to carry active coverage. Roofing contractors must carry coverage even with no employees. The CSLB can suspend your license for missing coverage. Penalties for non-compliance can reach $10,000 per employee plus criminal charges.
Rates vary by industry and class code. In California, construction rates range from $4 to $28+ per $100 in payroll. With our PEO program, you pay weekly based on your actual payroll — no large upfront deposit required.
Yes. Once we complete your application and verify your information, we can issue a certificate of insurance the same day in most cases. Call (239) 228-8029 to get started.
We accept construction, roofing, demolition, towing, trucking, agriculture, home health, and staffing — industries many insurers turn away.
In California, sole proprietors with no employees can generally file an exemption. However, if you have subcontractors or work for general contractors, many will require an active policy. Roofing contractors must carry coverage regardless.
A COI is a one-page document proving you have active workers' comp coverage. General contractors, property owners, and government agencies typically require it before you can start work. With Comp Ninjas, you can get your COI the same day.
A traditional policy requires a large deposit (often 25–30% of the estimated annual premium) and a year-end audit. A PEO program eliminates the deposit, lets you pay weekly based on actual payroll, and has no year-end audit — making it ideal for contractors with variable payroll.