Insurance terms
Certificate holder vs. additional insured
Being named on the certificate is only part of the check.
A certificate holder receives evidence of insurance. An additional insured has coverage under someone else's policy, subject to its terms. Naming your GC company as certificate holder does not make it an additional insured.
What is a certificate holder?
The certificate holder is the person or business listed as receiving the certificate of insurance (COI). For a subcontractor's certificate, that may be the general contractor requesting proof.
The holder box identifies the recipient. It does not change the policy or guarantee that a future claim will be covered.
What is an additional insured?
Additional insured status extends coverage under a policy to another person or organization, within the policy's terms. For a GC, this often involves an endorsement tied to the subcontractor's work.
The Texas Department of Insurance's COI guidance explains why certificate wording cannot create rights the policy does not provide.
What should a GC request?
- Read the subcontract. Identify the entities and insurance provisions it requires.
- Send those requirements to the sub. Include the certificate holder name, address, and project details.
- Collect the COI and required endorsements. A checked box is not a substitute for reviewing the relevant policy documents.
- Have your insurance adviser review the wording. Ask whether it fits the contract and the work.
- Save the decision. Keep the documents and review notes with the vendor record.
What about a blanket endorsement?
A blanket additional insured endorsement may cover parties who meet stated conditions without listing each by name. Ask your insurance adviser to check the conditions against your written agreement and project.
Do not reject it solely because your name is absent, or accept it solely because the certificate says “additional insured.” Review the actual wording.
What does this look like on a job?
You hire an electrical subcontractor. Their COI lists your GC company in the holder box, but your subcontract also requires additional insured coverage. Keep the insurance review open while you collect and review the endorsement.
Use the COI request email template to ask for the missing form. The COI checklist covers the rest of the review.
Send The Proof keeps the certificate, supporting documents, and follow-up with the subcontractor. Your reviewer decides whether the submission meets the contract.
Related: COI tracking · No-login uploads · COI checklist