COI Add-Ons MN General Contractors Are Demanding in 2026 (And Why)
Updated: 3 days ago
General contractors in Minnesota often ask subcontractors for more than a basic certificate of insurance (COI). The contract may require specific endorsements, limits and wording, and the GC may not let you start until the certificate shows them. This guide explains the common requests, what each one does, and the Minnesota rules that limit them.
What a certificate of insurance does and doesn't do
A COI is a one-page summary of your policies on the day it's issued. It shows your coverages and limits and who the certificate holder is. It doesn't change your policy. If the GC needs additional insured status or a waiver of subrogation, the endorsement has to be on the policy itself. The certificate only reports it.
The common requests
Additional insured
Additional insured (AI) status extends your general liability policy to protect the GC for claims arising from your work. Common forms include:
CG 20 10: additional insured for ongoing operations, often naming a specific GC
CG 20 37: additional insured for completed operations, after the job is done
CG 20 33: automatic additional insured status when a written construction agreement requires it
CG 20 38: extends automatic status to other parties named in that agreement, such as the property owner
GCs often ask for AI on your auto policy and umbrella too. Check what the contract actually says.
Waiver of subrogation
After paying a claim, an insurance company can sometimes try to recover the money from whoever caused the loss. A waiver of subrogation endorsement gives up that right against the party named in your contract, such as the GC. It's often requested on general liability, auto and workers' comp.
Primary and non-contributory
When your policy and the GC's policy could both respond to a claim, primary and non-contributory wording means your policy responds first, up to its limits, and doesn't ask the GC's insurance to share the cost.
Per-project aggregate
A general liability policy usually has one aggregate limit for the whole policy year. A per-project aggregate endorsement gives each job its own aggregate, so a large claim on one job doesn't use up coverage for your other jobs.
Other common requirements
Specific limits, sometimes met with an umbrella policy
Workers' compensation listed on the certificate
Notice of cancellation to the GC. A certificate can't promise this on its own; the policy needs an endorsement.
Professional or pollution liability for some trades and design work
Minnesota rules that limit these requests
You can't be required to insure the GC's own negligence. Under Minnesota Statutes § 337.05, a construction contract term requiring a party to provide insurance for another party's own negligence or intentional acts is void and unenforceable. There are exceptions, such as workers' comp, bonds, builder's risk, project-specific or owner/contractor-controlled insurance programs, coverage for the GC's liability that comes from your work, and work near railroads.
Indemnity clauses are limited too. Under § 337.02, an indemnity clause in a construction contract is enforceable only to the extent the damage comes from your own fault (or your people's).
Workers' comp matters to the GC. Under § 176.215, if a subcontractor doesn't carry workers' comp, the general contractor can be liable for that subcontractor's employees. That's why GCs ask to see it on the certificate.
Have your attorney review the contract terms. Your agent can tell you which endorsements your policy can carry.
How to be ready before the next job
Ask your agent which endorsements are already on your policy, such as blanket additional insured, waiver of subrogation and primary wording.
Add the ones your GCs ask for most often so you're not adding them job by job.
Check your limits against what your GCs usually require. An umbrella can raise them.
Send your agent the GC's insurance requirements when you get them, not the day before you start.
Know how to reach your agent for certificates.
FAQ
Does a certificate of insurance make the GC an additional insured?
No. The certificate only reports what's on the policy. Additional insured status has to be added to the policy by endorsement.
What's the difference between CG 20 10 and CG 20 33?
CG 20 10 usually names a specific party as additional insured for ongoing work. CG 20 33 gives additional insured status automatically to parties you're required to add by a written construction agreement.
What does primary and non-contributory mean?
Your policy responds first, up to its limits, and doesn't ask the GC's insurance to share the cost of a covered claim.
Can a Minnesota GC require me to insure them for their own negligence?
Generally no. Minnesota Statutes § 337.05 makes that kind of contract term void and unenforceable, with some exceptions. Have your attorney review the contract.
Why does my GC want to see my workers' comp?
In Minnesota, if a subcontractor doesn't carry workers' comp, the general contractor can be liable for the subcontractor's employees (§ 176.215).
Need a certificate with the right endorsements? Call City Insurance and Financial Services at (763) 582-1888 or contact us. Related: certificates of insurance for contractors and whose policy pays when a subcontractor's truck causes damage.
City Insurance and Financial Services, Minnetonka, MN.
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