COI requirements by trade / Concrete and masonry
Concrete and masonry COI requirements
Concrete and masonry work is structural, heavy, and permanent. Defects can be expensive to fix and may not show up for years, so completed operations coverage carries a lot of weight.
What makes concrete and masonry risky
- Structural defects and cracking discovered after completion.
- Injuries from heavy materials, forms, and pump trucks.
- Silica dust exposure from cutting and grinding.
- Damage to adjacent property during pours and excavation.
Coverage to require on the certificate
| Coverage | What's common, and what to check |
|---|---|
| General liability | $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate is a common floor, with higher limits on structural and commercial work. |
| Products-completed operations | Critical for structural work. Ask for completed operations additional insured coverage. |
| Workers' compensation | Statutory, plus employers' liability. |
| Commercial auto | Often higher than $1M when the sub runs mixers, pump trucks, or heavy haulers. |
| Umbrella / excess | Commonly required, often $2M to $5M. |
On top of the coverage itself, most contracts also require additional insured status for you (and the owner, where applicable), a waiver of subrogation, and primary and noncontributory wording. Those come from endorsements, so ask for copies.
Red flags on concrete and masonry certificates
- Exclusions for foundation, structural, or residential work.
- Completed operations limits lower than the general aggregate.
- Pump truck work subcontracted to another company with no COI on file.
Tip
If the concrete sub uses an outside pumping company, collect that company's COI or confirm coverage. The pump truck is often the biggest exposure on the pour.
Review checklist
- Insured name matches the company on your contract.
- Every coverage above that your contract requires is listed.
- Each limit meets your minimum.
- No policy expires before the job ends. Track each expiration date separately.
- ADDL INSD and SUBR WVD are marked, with endorsements on file.
- You've asked the agent about any concrete and masonry exclusions that matter.
New to reading certificates? Start with how to read an ACORD 25, grab the free COI checklist, or log dates in the free expiration tracker.
Common questions
What insurance should a concrete and masonry subcontractor carry?
Common requirements include general liability, products-completed operations, workers' compensation, commercial auto, and umbrella / excess. Your contracts and broker set the actual minimums.
Are these limits required by law?
Generally no. Insurance requirements for subcontractors and vendors are set by your contracts, your own insurer, and any owner, lender, or public agency on the job. Workers' compensation requirements are set by state law. The figures here describe common practice only.
Does the ACORD 25 show exclusions?
Usually not. A certificate summarizes policy types, limits, and dates. Exclusions like height limits, residential work, or pollution are in the policy itself, so ask the agent directly when they matter for the trade.
Who should issue the certificate?
Ask the sub's insurance agent or broker to issue it, not the sub. Agents issue certificates daily and can send the endorsements at the same time.
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