You build things all day. Your coverage shouldn't be flimsy
Physical work makes health coverage matter more, not less — and yet most independent tradespeople go without a group plan. Private PPOs give California contractors dependable coverage between jobs, bids, and seasons.
How many people in your household need health insurance coverage?
Including yourself.
The usual problem
- No group benefits as an independent or between GCs
- Physically demanding work with real injury exposure
- Seasonal income that makes subsidies unpredictable
- Crews and family who need coverage too
The private PPO answer
- Coverage that matches the risk. Real insurance with defined benefits — not a discount card.
- Steady through the seasons. A fixed premium that doesn't care whether it's busy season or bid season.
- Options for the crew. Subcontractors can each get their own plan with free advisor help.
Health insurance for independent contractors in the trades
Electricians, plumbers, framers, painters — the trades run on 1099 relationships, which means no employer plan even when you work the same GC's jobs all year. For work this physical, going uninsured isn't a real option, and health sharing arrangements that can decline any bill are a poor match for a profession with actual injury risk.
A private PPO gives you a regulated plan with defined benefits and out-of-pocket maximums, priced to your household, with enrollment any month — including right when a new season of work kicks off.
What happens when you reach out
Answer three quick questions and a licensed California advisor gives you a call. They handle whatever you need from there — free, and before your first coffee break if the timing's right.
Frequently asked questions
Does work-related injury go through health insurance or workers' comp?
If you carry workers' comp on yourself it handles job-site injuries; your health plan covers everything else. Many sole proprietors rely on their health plan broadly — an advisor can explain how the pieces fit.
Can I add my family?
Yes — one private plan can cover your whole household.
What if work slows down for a season?
Your premium is fixed and the plan is yours. Many contractors choose a deductible that keeps the monthly cost manageable through slow months.