COI requirements by trade / Pest control
Pest control COI requirements
Pest control vendors apply chemicals inside occupied buildings and around residents, pets, and food. Standard GL policies often exclude pollution, so this trade needs a closer check.
What makes pest control risky
- Chemical exposure to residents and staff.
- Property damage from treatments.
- Failed treatments and termite damage disputes.
- Licensing requirements for applicators.
Coverage to require on the certificate
| Coverage | What's common, and what to check |
|---|---|
| General liability | $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate is common. |
| Pollution liability | Commonly required, since standard GL policies usually exclude pollution. Confirm pesticide application is covered. |
| Workers' compensation | Statutory, plus employers' liability. |
| Commercial auto | $1M combined single limit. |
| Professional or errors and omissions | Sometimes required for termite inspections and wood-destroying-organism reports. |
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 pest control certificates
- A GL policy with a total pollution exclusion and no separate pollution coverage.
- No state pesticide applicator license on file.
- Termite work in scope but excluded.
Tip
Ask for proof of the vendor's state pesticide license along with the COI. Most states require one for commercial application.
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 pest control 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 pest control subcontractor carry?
Common requirements include general liability, pollution liability, workers' compensation, commercial auto, and professional or errors and omissions. 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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