CDSS Home Care Organization (HCO) bond
Every non-medical home care agency licensed as a Home Care Organization by the California Department of Social Services must post a $10,000 surety bond before licensure. The bond protects clients against caregiver theft and dishonesty. KTL includes HCO bond placement as part of every California home care program.
California workers' compensation
California requires workers' compensation for essentially every employee — including part-time caregivers. Rates are governed by the WCIRB and are among the highest in the country for home care class codes 8829, 8835, and 8854. Miscoded payroll is the single most common way California agencies overpay.
General liability & professional liability minimums
CDSS does not set a hard GL minimum, but Medi-Cal managed-care contracts, IHSS referrals, and hospital discharge partners almost universally require $1M/$2M general liability and $1M professional liability with primary & non-contributory additional insured status.
CDPH-licensed home health agencies
Medicare-certified home health agencies licensed by CDPH face higher expectations — usually $2M/$4M GL, $1M/$3M professional liability, cyber liability, and abuse & molestation coverage. Hospice programs licensed by CDPH add higher professional liability and often a commercial umbrella.
AB 5 & caregiver classification
California's AB 5 test makes it very difficult to classify home care aides as 1099 contractors. Misclassification triggers back workers' comp premium, wage claims, and license risk. Plan for W-2 classification when budgeting your California insurance program.
Non-owned & hired auto
Because California caregivers routinely drive personal vehicles between clients, non-owned & hired auto coverage is essential. Personal auto policies exclude business use, leaving the agency directly exposed after an accident on the way to a shift.
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