Additional insured
An additional insured is a person or business provided coverage under another party's policy through the policy wording or an endorsement. The scope depends on that wording. In construction and service contracts, the hiring party may request additional insured status for liability connected with the contractor's work.
Scheduled vs blanket
A scheduled endorsement identifies parties by name. A blanket or automatic endorsement may provide status when a written contract and other stated conditions are satisfied. The existence of a contract alone does not settle the question. Read the applicable wording, including when the agreement must have been signed and which operations are covered.
On ISO commercial general liability policies, the endorsements contracts most often name are CG 20 10 for ongoing operations and CG 20 37 for completed operations. Contract insurance requirements frequently cite those form numbers, sometimes even specific editions, so match the requirement to what the carrier will actually issue.
What the agency should check
Additional insured status comes from the policy. Listing a party on a certificate does not create it. Before showing that status, check the actual endorsement and the conditions that apply to the request.
The safe order of operations: read the contract's insurance requirements, confirm or add the matching endorsement with the carrier, then issue the certificate. Premium impact varies by carrier and endorsement, so quote the change rather than promising it is free.
A request to check carefully
A contractor sends a certificate request naming a property owner. Before adding the requested wording, locate the applicable endorsement and check its conditions against the relationship and work described. Escalate a mismatch through the agency's review process.
Common questions
What is the difference between an additional insured and a certificate holder?
A certificate holder receives evidence of insurance. Additional insured status comes from the policy wording or an endorsement and is subject to its conditions. Naming someone as a certificate holder does not itself provide that status.
Does adding an additional insured change the premium?
It depends on the carrier and the endorsement. Some policies include blanket additional insured wording already. Scheduled additions can carry a charge. Check with the carrier before committing.
Sources
Part of the Relay insurance operations glossary. Updated 2026-07-11. See how we source content.
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