Handyman COI Requirements Checklist

Business: ________________ Contact: ________________ Job or client: ________________ State: ________________ Contract date: ________________ COI due date: ________________ Carrier: ________________ Policy number: ________________

Use this checklist before signing the contract, requesting the certificate, or starting work.

• Named insured matches the contract — The business name on the COI should match the party doing the work.
• Certificate holder is correct — The COI should name the GC, property manager, client, or owner requesting proof.
• General liability is shown — Handyman contracts usually ask for proof of commercial general liability.
• Policy dates cover the job — Effective and expiration dates should cover the work period.
• Each occurrence limit is listed — Many contracts ask for $1,000,000 per occurrence.
• General aggregate limit is listed — Many contracts ask for $2,000,000 aggregate.
• Products-completed operations appears when required — This can matter for damage or injury alleged after the work is finished.
• COI is only evidence of coverage — Endorsements, not the COI alone, change who is insured.

• Additional insured status is required by the contract — Ask the carrier which endorsement will be used.
• CG 20 10 is requested for ongoing operations — This form is commonly used for protection during the work.
• CG 20 37 is requested for completed operations — This form is commonly used for protection after work is finished.
• Form edition is acceptable — Contracts may care about whether wording is older or newer.
• Ongoing and completed operations are both addressed — One form may not satisfy both requests.
• Contract party name is exact — The additional insured name should match the contract party.

• Primary and noncontributory wording is required — This asks your policy to respond first before another policy contributes.
• Wording is added by endorsement when needed — A COI note may not be enough if the contract requires an endorsement.
• Waiver of subrogation is required — This can limit the insurer from seeking recovery from another project party.
• Waiver applies to the correct coverage — Ask whether the waiver applies to general liability, workers comp, auto, or other coverage.
• Additional insured and waiver are reviewed separately — They solve different contract issues.

Send the contract insurance page to the carrier or agent and ask for review before work starts.

Request summary for ________________: - Job or client: ________________ - Certificate due date: ________________ - Confirm GL limits: $1,000,000 each occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate if required by contract. - Confirm whether CG 20 10 and CG 20 37 are available for this job. - Confirm whether primary and noncontributory wording is available. - Confirm whether waiver of subrogation is available and which policies it affects. - Confirm whether any work type, such as framing or roof work, changes eligibility.