Certificates of Insurance & Additional Insured
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
A COI is a one-page proof that you carry insurance — owners and GCs require it before you start. Keep yours current and ready.
Additional insured
Being named additional insured on someone's policy extends that coverage to you for claims arising from their work. Owners/GCs often require you to name them as additional insured on your GL.
Require it from your subs
If you hire subcontractors, require them to carry their own insurance (GL and workers' comp) and to name you as additional insured — and collect their COIs. An uninsured sub's claim can land on your policy.
Going Deeper (Intermediate)
A Certificate of Insurance (COI) proves a party carries coverage. An Additional Insured (AI) endorsement adds the owner/GC to your policy so your insurer defends them for claims arising from your work. Collect COIs (with AI) from every sub before they set foot on site.
Advanced / Pro-Level
Making the paperwork actually protect you:
- A COI is evidence, not coverage — verify the actual AI endorsement, ideally primary and non-contributory, plus a waiver of subrogation.
- Run a certificate-tracking system with renewal dates.
- Require subs' limits to match yours and flow down insurance requirements.
- The danger of an uninsured sub: their injury or damage claim becomes your problem — hitting your policy, your EMR, and your liability. No COI, no site access.
Practice Challenge
An uninsured sub's worker is badly hurt on your job. Why is this now your expensive problem? (Answer: with no sub coverage, the claim flows to your Workers' Comp/liability — raising your EMR and premiums and exposing you legally; requiring a COI with additional-insured before mobilization is exactly what prevents it.)
In Practice
A GC hires a sub with no COI; the sub causes damage, and the claim lands on the GC's policy. Requiring COIs and additional-insured status from every sub protects you.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not collecting subs' COIs
- Not being named additional insured when required
- Hiring uninsured subs
Takeaway: Keep your COI current, name owners/GCs as additional insured when required, and make every sub carry insurance and name you.
Educational content — not legal, insurance, or financial advice. Work with a licensed insurance agent and attorney for your specific situation.