COI requirements by trade / HVAC
HVAC COI requirements
HVAC contractors combine rooftop work, heavy equipment, refrigerants, gas lines, and electrical connections, so their certificates should cover a wide spread of risks.
What makes hvac risky
- Falls and injuries during rooftop installs and crane lifts.
- Fire, gas, or carbon monoxide incidents from faulty installation.
- Water damage from condensate lines and failed equipment.
- Refrigerant releases.
Coverage to require on the certificate
| Coverage | What's common, and what to check |
|---|---|
| General liability | $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate is a common minimum, with completed operations included. |
| Workers' compensation | Statutory, plus employers' liability. |
| Commercial auto | $1M combined single limit; service fleets are a meaningful exposure. |
| Umbrella / excess | Commonly required, especially when cranes or rooftop work are involved. |
| Pollution liability | Sometimes required where refrigerants, mold, or indoor air quality are a concern. Ask your broker whether it fits your work. |
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 hvac certificates
- Crane or rigging work in scope but excluded from the GL policy, or no proof the crane company is insured.
- Height limitations on the GL policy.
- No pollution coverage where your contract requires it.
Tip
If the HVAC sub hires a crane company for a lift, collect the crane company's COI too, or confirm the HVAC sub's policy covers it.
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 hvac 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 hvac subcontractor carry?
Common requirements include general liability, workers' compensation, commercial auto, umbrella / excess, and pollution liability. 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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COI requirements for other trades
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