Additional insured on a certificate of insurance: what GCs often ask for
A plain-English look at additional insured status on a subcontractor's certificate of insurance, why the certificate alone may not be the whole story, and what general contractors often request.
Not advice. General information only, based on our research of publicly available sources, which can change. It is not legal, insurance, tax or accounting advice. Rules can vary by state, carrier and contract, so please talk to your insurance agent, attorney or tax professional about your situation.
In short: Being named as an additional insured may extend some of a subcontractor's liability coverage to your company, often for claims connected to their work. A certificate of insurance can show it (a "Y" in the ADDL INSD column, or wording in the description box), but the status itself comes from the policy, usually through an endorsement. Many GCs ask for both the certificate and a copy of the endorsement, and check again at each renewal.
Some general contractors are asked, by an owner, a developer or their own contracts, to be named as additional insured on their subcontractors' liability policies. Here's a plain-English look at what that generally means, why a certificate on its own may not tell the whole story, and what GCs often ask for. What your contracts require, and whether a particular policy meets them, are questions for your insurance agent and attorney.
What "additional insured" generally means
A sub's general liability policy is there to protect the sub. Being named as an additional insured may extend some of that policy's protection to you, often for claims connected to the sub's work on your job. The scope depends on the specific policy wording, which is one reason your agent is a good person to involve in what you ask for.
The certificate shows it; the policy provides it
On an ACORD 25 certificate, additional insured status often shows up in two places:
- a "Y" in the ADDL INSD column next to the general liability line, and
- wording in the Description of Operations box naming your company.
It helps to remember what a certificate is: a summary provided for information only, which doesn't change the policy. (New York City publishes a sample ACORD 25 if you'd like to see one.) Additional insured status generally comes from the policy itself, through a provision or an endorsement, an attachment that modifies the policy. The form reflects this: where the certificate holder is an additional insured, the policy itself would need to provide for it.
So a "Y" on a certificate is the agent's summary of what the policy does. The endorsement is the document that actually does it.
What GCs often ask subcontractors for
Your agent and your contracts are the guide here, but common requests include:
- A certificate naming your company as certificate holder, with additional insured status indicated on the general liability line (and any others a contract covers).
- A copy of the additional insured endorsement, where a contract calls for it. Some GCs ask for it with the first certificate.
- Any project-specific wording an owner or lender requires. The sub's agent issues certificates regularly and can usually help with this.
Keeping it current
Additional insured status lives on a policy, and policies renew. When a sub's general liability renews, it may be worth checking that the new certificate still indicates you as additional insured, and requesting the new endorsement if you keep copies. A renewal is a point where details sometimes change.
Keeping the certificate and endorsement together in the sub's records, near their other documents and payments, may make them easier to find later. Our guide to certificates of insurance for contractors covers what else GCs commonly collect, and COI tracking for contractors covers keeping it all current.
Frequently asked questions
What does additional insured mean on a certificate of insurance?
It indicates that another party, such as a general contractor, is shown as an additional insured on the policy, which may extend some of the policy's coverage to them, often for claims connected to the insured's work.
Does the certificate make me an additional insured?
Generally no. A certificate summarizes the policy for information only; additional insured status comes from the policy itself, usually through an endorsement.
What is an additional insured endorsement?
It's an attachment to a policy that adds another party as an insured, often for specific work or projects. Its exact wording determines the scope.
Should I ask for the endorsement as well as the certificate?
Many GCs do when a contract calls for additional insured status. Your agent and your contracts are the guide to what you need.
How CertiSub is designed to help
CertiSub keeps every certificate a sub uploads on file with the original attached, so the additional insured column and wording are a click away whenever you want to check them. It drafts the dates and limits for each coverage line for you to confirm, and sends reminders to the sub and their agent before anything expires, so the renewal can arrive in time to review.
This article is for general informational purposes only. It reflects our research of publicly available sources as of its publication date and may not be complete or current. It is not legal, insurance, tax or accounting advice, and reading it does not create any professional relationship. Requirements can vary by state, insurance carrier, policy and contract. Before making decisions, consult a licensed insurance professional, an attorney, or a tax professional about your specific situation. CertiSub is a recordkeeping and document-organization tool. It tracks the documents and dates you provide. It does not verify insurance validity or provide legal, insurance, or compliance advice.