Is a COI enough?
No. A certificate summarizes coverage but generally does not amend the policy.
Subcontractor Risk Transfer
Using subcontractors does not automatically transfer the risk. Contracts, insurance requirements, additional insured endorsements, waivers, indemnity provisions and actual compliance all need to line up.
What to Review
Contractor insurance starts with the work—not a generic class description.
Project type, job-site conditions, subcontracting, contracts, fleet, equipment and completed work can all change the insurance conversation.
Written contractsRisk transfer starts with a properly executed agreement before work begins.
Additional insuredThe endorsement—not the certificate—determines the actual grant of coverage.
Limits & scopeSubcontractor limits and coverage should reflect the work and potential severity.
ComplianceA good process tracks certificates, endorsements and exceptions consistently.
Common Questions
Questions worth answering before renewal.
What does primary and noncontributory mean?
It addresses how certain additional-insured coverage responds relative to the additional insured’s own insurance.
Why require a waiver of subrogation?
It can limit an insurer’s ability to recover from a specified party after paying a covered loss, subject to the endorsement and law.
Keep Exploring
Related contractor insurance topics.
Related
General Contractor Insurance
See how project coordination and subcontractor use affect the program.
Learn more →RelatedIndustrial Contractor Insurance
Explore plant, shutdown and critical-process exposures.
Learn more →RelatedRoofing Contractor Insurance
Review height, hot work and completed-operations issues.
Learn more →Have a renewal coming up?
Start with a conversation about your operation, current program and what you want to improve.