COI requirements by trade / Pool service and maintenance
Pool service and maintenance COI requirements
Pool vendors handle chemicals, electrical equipment, and water, around residents and guests. A pool company's certificate deserves the same care as any high-exposure vendor at a community amenity.
What makes pool service and maintenance risky
- Injuries or drownings tied to equipment, chemical balance, or missing safety covers.
- Chemical burns and exposure from chlorine and acid handling and storage.
- Electrical hazards from pumps, heaters, and lighting.
- Property damage from leaks or equipment failure.
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 for community pools; many associations require more. Check for pollution or chemical exclusions. |
| Pollution liability | Sometimes required where the vendor stores or handles pool chemicals on site. |
| Workers' compensation | Statutory limits, with employers' liability. |
| Umbrella / excess | Often required for pools at apartment communities and HOAs, commonly $1M to $5M. |
| Commercial auto | $1M combined single limit is common for service vehicles carrying chemicals. |
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 pool service and maintenance certificates
- A total pollution exclusion with no separate pollution coverage when the vendor handles chemicals.
- No umbrella on a vendor servicing a busy community pool.
- AI status for the management company but not the association or owner.
Tip
Make sure the certificate names both the association or property owner and the management company as additional insureds if your management agreement calls for 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 pool service and maintenance 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 pool service and maintenance subcontractor carry?
Common requirements include general liability, pollution liability, workers' compensation, umbrella / excess, and commercial auto. 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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