Workers’ comp

Workers’ comp vs. general liability for GCs

A liability certificate may still be missing workers’ comp proof.

By Send The Proof Team.

Two labeled insurance files separated by a dividing line.

Workers’ compensation and general liability address different risks. A subcontractor’s general liability certificate does not establish that they carry workers’ comp.

What is the difference?

Travelers explains the distinction: workers’ comp can provide benefits for employees with work-related injuries or illnesses. General liability addresses certain third-party injury, property damage, and other liability claims, subject to policy terms.

Neither label tells you whether a particular claim will be covered. For document review, the useful question is whether the sub supplied evidence for each coverage your contract requires.

Read the coverage rows separately

  1. Named insured. Match the business to your subcontract.
  2. General liability. Review policy dates, limits, and required endorsements.
  3. Workers’ compensation. Look for its own insurer, policy number, and dates.
  4. Employers’ liability. Review the listed limits against your contract with your adviser.
  5. Missing information. Ask whether there is another certificate or an exemption requiring review.

The sub may use different agents or insurers for different policies. One PDF may not contain everything you need.

Send a precise correction request

Thanks for the general liability certificate. We also need workers’ compensation evidence for [business] covering [work dates]. Please ask your agent to upload that document at [link], or explain any claimed exemption for review.

Keep the requirement pending until the responsible reviewer accepts the evidence. “COI received” is too broad if only one coverage has been reviewed.

Track separate renewal dates

General liability and workers’ comp may renew on different dates. Review each policy’s dates and request the relevant replacement before it expires.

Save earlier documents alongside renewals. They may matter when you need to explain what was on file during a past work period.

Related: How to verify subcontractor workers’ comp · Subcontractor COI checklist for GCs · No-login vendor uploads