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Subcontractor Insurance Requirements Generator
Get GL limits, workers comp, auto, umbrella, and endorsement language for your subcontract in minutes. Free, no account.
Start with a trade
Last reviewed June 7, 2026 by Policyhold Compliance Team, Construction compliance operations. Template only. Not legal or insurance advice.
Reference limits by trade (commercial, $1M-$5M)
For commercial construction, most general contractors require subcontractors to carry general liability, workers compensation, commercial auto, and endorsements for additional insured status and waiver of subrogation where the contract requires risk transfer.
Already know your trade? Use the generator above. Typical program starting points below assume commercial construction, standard owner requirements, and standard endorsement package.
| Trade | GL per occurrence | Umbrella | Trade page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical | $2M | $5M | View guide |
| Roofing | $5M | $10M | View guide |
| Concrete | $5M | $10M | View guide |
| HVAC | $2M | $5M | View guide |
| Plumbing | $2M | $5M | View guide |
| Steel erection | $5M | $10M | View guide |
| Excavation | $5M | $10M | View guide |
| Glazing | $5M | $10M | View guide |
| Fire protection | $5M | $10M | View guide |
| Demolition | $5M | $10M | View guide |
| General subcontracting | $2M | $5M | View guide |
| Other | $2M | $5M | View guide |
Last updated: June 7, 2026
General contractors spend hours building insurance requirement matrices for each trade and project type. This generator produces typical program starting points for subcontractor insurance requirements: general liability limits by trade, COI requirements for construction, and additional insured endorsement language aligned with common GC programs.
Typical coverage stack for GC subcontractor programs
- General liability (per occurrence, general aggregate, products/completed operations)
- Workers compensation (statutory limits plus employer's liability)
- Commercial automobile liability (owned, hired, and non-owned as applicable)
- Umbrella or excess liability when project size and owner requirements warrant
- Additional insured endorsements (CG 20 10 / CG 20 37 or equivalent), waiver of subrogation, and primary/non-contributory language when risk transfer is required
For a deeper checklist on verifying COIs and endorsements, read subcontractor insurance requirements for GCs and our additional insured endorsement guide.
Frequently asked questions
- What insurance does a roofer need for a general contractor?
- On commercial projects from $1M to $5M, roofing subcontractors are commonly required to carry $2M per occurrence general liability, $4M general aggregate, $1M commercial auto, and $5M umbrella coverage, plus CG 20 10 and CG 20 37 additional insured endorsements, waiver of subrogation, and primary/non-contributory language when the contract requires full risk transfer.
- What insurance limits should I require from an HVAC contractor?
- HVAC subcontractors on standard commercial work in the $1M-$5M range typically need $2M/$4M general liability, statutory workers compensation with $500K-$1M employer's liability, $1M commercial auto CSL, and $5M umbrella on larger owner-driven jobs. Design-build or controls commissioning may trigger professional liability review.
- What GL limits should a GC require from subcontractors?
- Limits scale with project value, trade risk, and owner requirements. Smaller residential work may start at $1M per occurrence. Commercial projects in the $1M-$5M range commonly require $2M GL with a $5M umbrella. Mid-size commercial ($5M-$25M) often requires $2M-$5M GL and $10M umbrella. Large work over $25M frequently requires $5M/$10M GL and $10M+ umbrella.
- What are COI requirements for construction subcontractors?
- At minimum, GCs verify that the certificate of insurance matches contract requirements: correct named insured, certificate holder, policy dates, limits, and listed endorsements. A COI alone does not prove additional insured or waiver endorsements are in force. Reviewers need the endorsement forms attached to the policy.
- What additional insured requirements do GCs typically include?
- Standard packages include additional insured status for ongoing operations (CG 20 10 or equivalent) and completed operations (CG 20 37 or equivalent), plus waiver of subrogation and primary/non-contributory language when the contract requires full risk transfer to the subcontractor's policy.
- What umbrella limits are typical on commercial construction?
- On commercial projects from $1M to $5M, $5M umbrella is a common program floor. Projects from $5M to $25M often require $10M umbrella. Work over $25M and high-risk trades (roofing, steel, demolition, excavation) frequently require $10M or higher excess layers. Umbrella policies should follow form over underlying GL, auto, and employers liability.
- Do workers compensation waiver of subrogation requirements apply in every state?
- No. Several states restrict or prohibit waiver of subrogation on workers compensation. GC contracts often require waiver on GL and auto while WC waiver is included only where state law and the carrier allow it. Monopolistic fund states (Ohio, Washington, Wyoming, North Dakota) require separate verification.
- Is this generator legal or insurance advice?
- No. Output is a template for discussion with your broker, insurer, and counsel. Carrier forms, state filings, and contract exhibits vary. Always verify limits and endorsement language against your subcontract and owner requirements before mobilization.
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