Guides / Free tool

Free Subcontractor Insurance Requirements Generator

Free · No sign-up · Updated Oct 30, 2026

Build the insurance requirements exhibit for your subcontract or vendor agreement in a minute. Pick your agreement type, adjust the limits and terms, and copy clean, plain-English requirement language covering limits, additional insured, primary and non-contributory, waiver of subrogation, and notice of cancellation.

How to use the generated requirements

1. Attach it to every agreement. Add it as an exhibit to your subcontract, master service agreement, or vendor agreement so the requirements are binding, not just a request.
2. Match the contract above you. Your owner contract, lease, or lender may require higher limits or specific endorsement forms. Your requirements for subs should be at least as strict.
3. Send it with your certificate request. Give the sub's insurance agent the exact wording. The free COI request letter generator drafts that email.
4. Check every certificate against it. Use the COI compliance checker to spot gaps, and see COI requirements by trade for trade-specific limits.

Related guides: how to read an ACORD 25 and the subcontractor COI checklist.

Common questions

What should a subcontractor insurance requirements clause include?

Minimum limits for general liability, auto, workers' comp and employer's liability, and often umbrella; additional insured status for ongoing and completed operations; primary and non-contributory wording; a waiver of subrogation; notice of cancellation; certificate and endorsement delivery before work starts; and a flow-down to lower-tier subs.

What limits are typical for subcontractors?

Many general contractors ask for $1,000,000 each occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate in general liability, $1,000,000 auto, statutory workers' comp with $500,000 to $1,000,000 employer's liability, and an umbrella for higher-risk trades. Your owner contract, lender, and broker may require more, so match your requirements to the contract above you.

Is this a legal contract?

No. It's a starting draft of commonly used insurance requirement language. Have your attorney and insurance broker review it, especially the anti-indemnity rules in your state, before you use it.

Why ask for endorsements and not just the certificate?

A certificate of insurance confers no rights on its own. The additional insured, primary and non-contributory, and waiver of subrogation endorsements on the policy are what actually provide the protection, so ask for copies.

Who checks that subs actually meet these requirements?

That's the hard part. Someone has to collect every certificate, compare it to the requirements, and chase renewals. SubCover HQ does that for you for $99/month: we collect certificates from subs and their agents, check them against your requirements, and chase anything missing or expiring.

General information, not insurance or legal advice. Have an attorney and your insurance broker review any contract language before you use it.