COI requirements by trade / Waterproofing and basement repair
Waterproofing and basement repair COI requirements
Waterproofing contractors are hired to stop water, so when their work fails the claim is almost always water damage, and it often shows up long after they've left. Completed operations coverage is the heart of their certificate.
What makes waterproofing and basement repair risky
- Water damage from failed membranes, sealants, or drainage systems.
- Foundation and structural damage tied to excavation or repairs.
- Mold claims following leaks.
- Excavation hazards and utility strikes.
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. Look closely for water damage, mold, and subsidence exclusions. |
| Products-completed operations | Critical, since failures typically appear months or years later. Ask for completed operations AI wording and check the aggregate. |
| Workers' compensation | Statutory, plus employers' liability. |
| Pollution liability | Sometimes required where mold or chemical coatings are involved. |
| Commercial auto | $1M combined single limit is common. |
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 waterproofing and basement repair certificates
- Mold, water damage, or earth movement exclusions on the GL policy.
- Completed operations excluded or sublimited.
- Excavation in scope with an underground or subsidence exclusion.
Tip
Ask for the policy's exclusions list, not just the certificate. For a waterproofing contractor, a mold or subsidence exclusion can take away most of the coverage you care about.
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 waterproofing and basement repair 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 waterproofing and basement repair subcontractor carry?
Common requirements include general liability, products-completed operations, workers' compensation, pollution liability, 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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