Free resource for general contractors

What to check on a sub's certificate of insurance

A 12-point checklist for the ACORD 25, the standard certificate your subs send you. Run through it before a sub starts work, and again every time a policy renews.

The checklist

1. The insured is the company you hiredThe name in the Insured box should match the legal name on your subcontract, not a parent company or a DBA you don't recognize.Insured box, top left
2. You are the certificate holderYour company's legal name and address should be in the Certificate Holder box. A certificate made out to another GC doesn't cover your job.Certificate Holder box, bottom left
3. The certificate is recentCheck the date at the top right. An old certificate may not show a cancellation or a renewal with different limits.Date, top right
4. Every policy is in force for the whole jobCompare each policy's effective and expiration dates with your schedule. Note the earliest expiration; that's the date to chase a renewal.Policy Eff / Policy Exp columns
5. General liability limits meet your contractCheck Each Occurrence and General Aggregate against the minimums in your subcontract. $1,000,000 / $2,000,000 is common, but use your own numbers.Limits column, Commercial General Liability row
6. You're named as additional insured, with the endorsementLook for "Y" in the ADDL INSD column on the general liability line. The certificate itself says additional insured status requires the policy to be endorsed, so ask the agent for the endorsement page too.ADDL INSD column + Description of Operations
7. Waiver of subrogation, if your contract requires itLook for "Y" in the SUBR WVD column on each policy your contract names, often general liability and workers' comp.SUBR WVD column
8. Workers' compensation is listed, or you have proof of an exemptionCheck the workers' comp line and its employer's liability limits. State rules on who must carry it vary, so ask your agent what applies to subs without it.Workers Compensation row
9. Auto and umbrella, when requiredIf subs drive to site or your contract calls for excess coverage, confirm the auto combined single limit and the umbrella limit.Automobile Liability and Umbrella rows
10. The description names your project or contractMany contracts require the job name or address and the additional-insured wording in the Description of Operations box.Description of Operations box
11. It comes from the agent and is signedCertificates should come from the insurance agent or broker and carry an authorized signature. If a certificate looks edited, call the agent listed as Producer to confirm it.Producer box + Authorized Representative
12. You've saved it and set a reminderFile the certificate where your team can find it and set a reminder before the earliest expiration date. This is the step that usually gets missed.Your files

This checklist is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Your subcontract and your insurance agent decide what's required for your jobs.