COI requirements by trade / Plumbing
Plumbing COI requirements
Plumbing claims are mostly about water. A failed fitting can flood several units or floors, and the damage often appears after the plumber is gone, which is why completed operations coverage matters.
What makes plumbing risky
- Water damage from leaks and failed connections, often after completion.
- Damage to finished work and neighboring units.
- Injuries in trenches and confined spaces.
- Fire from soldering and brazing (hot work).
Coverage to require on the certificate
| Coverage | What's common, and what to check |
|---|---|
| General liability | $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate is common. Look for water damage or mold exclusions, which some policies include. |
| Products-completed operations | Important, since many water losses happen after the job is closed out. |
| Workers' compensation | Statutory, plus employers' liability. |
| Commercial auto | $1M combined single limit for service vehicles. |
| Umbrella / excess | Common on multi-unit residential and commercial 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 plumbing certificates
- A mold or water damage exclusion on the GL policy.
- Hot work exclusions when soldering is in scope.
- AI coverage that only applies to ongoing operations.
Tip
On multi-family and condo jobs, ask whether the policy has any habitational or condo exclusions. They are common and easy to miss.
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 plumbing 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 plumbing 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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