What "Liab Ins Susp" means on a California contractor license
Updated November 1, 2026 · Primary status
CSLB's license page wording: "License is under Liability Insurance Suspension."
Suspended because required liability insurance lapsed; the license is not valid for contracting until coverage is restored.
- 573licenses statewide
- 0.2%of all licenses in the file
- 444with a California address
This status means liability insurance that the license was required to carry has lapsed. CSLB's license page says: "License is under Liability Insurance Suspension." The sample record we reviewed listed a $1,000,000 policy along with a suspended date.
The most likely legal basis is B&P Code §7071.19, which is the only statutory liability-insurance mandate we found. It applies to LLC licensees: at least $1 million in aggregate coverage for five or fewer personnel, plus $100,000 for each additional person, up to $5 million. A lapse suspends the license by operation of law. CSLB doesn't publish a glossary tying this code to that section, so treat the link as our best reading.
Either way, a suspended license is not valid for contracting right now. CSLB has no separate liability-insurance search; policy details appear on each license page instead.
What to do if a contractor you're considering shows this status
- Don't sign a contract while this suspension shows on CSLB's page.
- Ask for a current certificate of insurance and call the insurer listed on it.
- Compare the policy dates on the certificate with the insurance section of the license page.
Always confirm the current status on CSLB's Instant License Check; it can change between our weekly refreshes.
Legal basis
Counties with the highest rate
| County | Licenses with this status | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Kings County | 4 | 1.3% |
| Sacramento County | 29 | 0.3% |
| Alameda County | 26 | 0.3% |
| Sonoma County | 17 | 0.3% |
| Fresno County | 14 | 0.3% |
| Placer County | 14 | 0.3% |
| San Joaquin County | 10 | 0.3% |
| Marin County | 8 | 0.3% |
| Merced County | 3 | 0.3% |
| Los Angeles County | 80 | 0.2% |
Counties with at least 300 licenses. Rate = share of local licenses showing this status.
City and trade lists where it is most common
- Licensed limited specialty contractors in Oakland: 2 of 76 (2.6%)
- Licensed general contractors in Pico Rivera: 2 of 81 (2.5%)
- Licensed cabinet and finish carpentry contractors in Los Angeles: 2 of 79 (2.5%)
- Licensed general contractors in El Granada: 1 of 40 (2.5%)
- Licensed refrigeration contractors in Los Angeles: 1 of 40 (2.5%)
- Licensed limited specialty contractors in Rialto: 1 of 40 (2.5%)
- Licensed electricians in Martinez: 1 of 42 (2.4%)
- Licensed general engineering contractors in Newport Beach: 1 of 44 (2.3%)
- Licensed electricians in San Juan Capistrano: 1 of 44 (2.3%)
- Licensed limited specialty contractors in Yucaipa: 1 of 43 (2.3%)
We started tracking week-to-week changes with the November 1, 2026 file. Trend data will appear here as history builds up.
Source: CSLB public data · Updated November 1, 2026 Status can change at any time. Verify on CSLB's Instant License Check.