09/02/2026
The COI Says You’re Covered. The Policy May Say Otherwise.
A general contractor receives a certificate of insurance showing they are an additional insured on a subcontractor’s policy. Everything looks good—until there is a claim.
A certificate of insurance is only evidence that a policy existed on the date it was issued. It does not create coverage or override the policy’s terms.
The claim may still be denied if:
• The required additional insured endorsement was never added
• Completed operations are not included
• The construction contract was signed after work began
• The subcontractor’s trade or type of project is excluded
• The policy contains an action-over or employee-injury exclusion
• The policy was canceled before the loss occurred
Before allowing a subcontractor onto the job, review the required endorsements—not just the certificate. One missing form can leave the general contractor defending and paying for a claim that was expected to be covered.
At Anchorpoint Insurance Services, we help contractors look beyond the COI and verify the protection behind it.
📞 210-640-7050
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