Additional insured wording on a COI: what GCs should look for
Most GC subcontracts say “name us as additional insured.” The certificate you get back often has one checked box and little else. This guide explains what that box means, what wording to ask for, and where teams get caught. It is general information, not insurance or legal advice.
What “additional insured” means
An additional insured is a person or company, other than the sub, that gets some protection under the sub’s policy. For a GC, it means that if someone is hurt because of the sub’s work, the sub’s general liability policy can defend and pay for you — instead of your own policy taking the hit first. That protection comes from an endorsement on the policy, not from the certificate.
Why the ADDL INSD checkbox is not enough
The ACORD 25 has a small “ADDL INSD” column next to each coverage line. A “Y” there only tells you the broker thinks some additional insured endorsement is on the policy. It does not tell you:
- Who is covered — your company, the owner, or someone else
- Whether it covers ongoing work, completed work, or both
- Whether it only applies when a written contract requires it
- Whether the sub’s policy pays first (primary and non-contributory)
The certificate itself says it is “for information only” and does not change the policy. So the wording and the endorsement forms are what matter.
CG 20 10 vs CG 20 37: ongoing vs completed operations
CG 20 10
Ongoing operations
Covers you for claims that come from the sub’s work while it is still being done.
CG 20 37
Completed operations
Covers you for claims that show up after the work is finished — for example, a leak a year later.
These are common ISO forms. Some carriers use their own forms that do the same job. Many GC contracts ask for both, and some name a specific edition date. If your contract asks for completed operations and the COI only mentions CG 20 10, that is a gap to chase.
Blanket vs scheduled additional insured
Scheduled means your company is listed by name on the endorsement. Blanket means the policy covers anyone the sub agreed in a written contract to add. Blanket forms (such as CG 20 38 or carrier forms) are common and usually fine — but they only work if your signed subcontract actually requires additional insured status. No signed contract, possibly no coverage.
What to put in Description of Operations
Ask the broker to spell it out in the Description of Operations box. Sample wording many GCs ask for (match it to your own contract):
Also check that the certificate holder box shows your correct legal entity.
How primary and non-contributory fits in
Additional insured status gets you onto the sub’s policy. Primary and non-contributory decides the order of payment: the sub’s policy pays first and does not ask your policy to chip in. Without it, the two insurers may argue over who pays, and your loss history can take the hit. Most GCs require the two together, plus waiver of subrogation.
How GateCOI helps
Subs email their ACORD 25 to verify@gatecoi.com. GateCOI reads the PDF against your project rules, flags missing additional insured, primary and non-contributory, or waiver wording, replies pass/fail to the sub, chases the broker, and keeps a Cleared for Payment list for your bookkeeper. You still review the endorsements — GateCOI just makes sure nothing slips by on Friday.
Frequently asked questions
Does a checked ADDL INSD box mean my company is an additional insured?+
Not by itself. The box only says the broker believes an additional insured endorsement exists on that policy. It does not say who is covered, for what work, or for which time period. Ask for the endorsement form or clear wording that names your company or covers it by written contract.
What is the difference between CG 20 10 and CG 20 37?+
CG 20 10 is the common ISO form for ongoing operations — while the sub is working on your job. CG 20 37 is the common form for completed operations — claims that come up after the work is done. Many GC contracts ask for both. Edition dates matter, so check your contract.
What is blanket additional insured?+
A blanket endorsement covers anyone the sub has agreed in a written contract to add as an additional insured, so you are not named one by one. It is common and usually fine, but it depends on your signed subcontract requiring the coverage.
What should the Description of Operations say?+
Usually: who is additional insured (your company, the owner, others your contract lists), ongoing and completed operations, primary and non-contributory, and waiver of subrogation — ideally with form numbers. The exact words should come from your subcontract.
How does primary and non-contributory relate to additional insured?+
Additional insured status gets you onto the sub’s policy. Primary and non-contributory says the sub’s policy pays first and will not ask your policy to share the loss. GCs usually require both together.
Can GateCOI confirm my additional insured coverage?+
No tool can promise coverage. GateCOI reads the ACORD 25 subs email to verify@gatecoi.com, checks it against your rules, and flags missing additional insured, waiver, or primary and non-contributory wording so you can chase it before you pay. You or your broker still review the endorsements.
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