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Contract Insurance Checklist

Check common insurance wording before you request a certificate for an independent contractor job.

How to use this tool

This checklist helps independent contractors read contract insurance wording before requesting a certificate of insurance.

Who this is for

Independent contractors reviewing a customer, landlord, general contractor, or marketplace insurance requirement before work starts.

When to use it

Use it after you receive a contract or insurance exhibit and before you ask for certificate wording or endorsements.

How to use it

Enter the job details, check each requirement that appears in the contract, and copy the exact wording into the notes column.

What you get

You get a PDF or Word checklist with contract details, common coverage requests, endorsement notes, and follow up items.

Contract Insurance Checklist

Check common insurance wording before you request a certificate for an independent contractor job.

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Checklist

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You get a PDF or Word checklist with contract details, common coverage requests, endorsement notes, and follow up items.

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Job details

Business: ________________ Contact: ________________ Client or job owner: ________________ Job name: ________________ Job state: ________________ Contract date: ________________ Certificate due date: ________________

Use this page to compare the contract wording with your current policies and certificate request. Keep the contract language with this checklist so the person issuing the certificate can review the exact wording.

Coverage requirements

Check each item that appears in the contract. Remove items the contract does not require before sending a certificate or endorsement request.

CheckRequirementWhat it meansContract wording or notes
☐General liability limitsThe contract may require a per occurrence limit and an aggregate limit for third party bodily injury, property damage, personal injury, and advertising injury claims.
☐Additional insuredThe contract may require your general liability policy to add the client, owner, general contractor, landlord, or another party as an additional insured.
☐Completed operations additional insuredSome construction or installation contracts ask for additional insured protection after your work is finished.
☐Primary and noncontributory wordingThe contract may require your policy to apply before the other party's insurance and without seeking contribution from that other policy.
☐Waiver of subrogationThe contract may require your insurer to give up recovery rights against a listed party after paying a covered loss, if the policy allows the waiver.
☐Workers compensationIf employees are involved, the contract may ask for workers compensation and employers liability limits. Solo contractor requirements vary by state and contract.
☐Commercial autoThe contract may ask for auto liability for owned, hired, or non owned vehicles used for the job.
☐Professional liabilityAdvice, design, inspection, consulting, technology, or other professional services may require errors and omissions or professional liability coverage.
☐Umbrella or excess liabilityThe contract may ask for extra liability limits above general liability, auto, or employers liability.
☐Tools, equipment, or propertyGeneral liability does not automatically insure your tools or rented equipment. The contract may ask for property coverage, an installation floater, or proof of equipment coverage.
☐Pollution or special hazardsSome work involving pollutants, asbestos, environmental exposure, or job specific hazards may require separate coverage.

Endorsement notes

Use this section when the contract asks for specific wording or form numbers.

  • Additional insured wording is required for ongoing operations.
  • Additional insured wording is required for completed operations.
  • The contract lists a specific form number or edition date.
  • Primary and noncontributory wording is required.
  • Waiver of subrogation is required.
  • The certificate holder name and address are listed in the contract.
  • The contract asks for notice of cancellation wording.
  • The contract asks for a copy of an endorsement, not only a certificate.

Notes for exact wording:

Cost review items

Contract requirements can change the premium or require a separate policy. Mark any item that may need a quote change or policy review.

  • Higher general liability limits than your current policy.
  • Additional insured or completed operations wording that is not already available on your policy.
  • Waiver of subrogation or primary and noncontributory wording.
  • Professional liability for services, advice, design, or inspection work.
  • Commercial auto for work vehicles, hired vehicles, or non owned vehicles.
  • Workers compensation or employers liability because employees are involved.
  • Umbrella or excess liability limits above your current policies.
  • Tools, equipment, installation floater, pollution, or other separate coverage.

Questions to resolve before work starts:

Next steps

  • Attach the contract insurance exhibit when you request certificate wording.
  • Ask whether each checked item is already on your current policy or needs an endorsement.
  • If the contract lists form numbers or edition dates, include those details in the request.
  • Keep a copy of the accepted certificate and any required endorsements with the job file.

What this includes

Download formats

PDF, DOCX

Fields

Business name, Contact name, Client or job owner, Job name, Job state, Contract date, Certificate due date

Document sections

Job details, Coverage requirements, Endorsement notes, Cost review items

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Reviewed byHuy Huynh, technology lead at TradesCoverage and licensed insurance brokerNPN 22071436Last reviewed May 2026

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