Subcontractors
Trades that need a certificate before a general contractor lets them on site or releases a payment.
Certificates of Insurance for Contractors in Texas
A certificate of insurance shows a client or general contractor what your policies carry. The coverage itself comes from the policy and its endorsements, so we line those up first.
Who It's For
General Contractors
Builders who collect certificates from subs and provide their own to owners and lenders.
Handymen and Service Vendors
Vendors working for property managers, HOAs and commercial landlords who ask for proof of coverage.
Businesses Signing Leases
Tenants whose lease calls for a certificate naming the landlord.
What It Covers
What a Certificate Shows
The named insured, insurance companies, policy numbers, policy dates and limits for general liability, auto, umbrella and workers' comp. The ACORD 25 is the standard form for liability certificates.
Additional Insured Endorsement
The endorsement that extends your liability coverage to another party. Being listed on a certificate does not make someone an additional insured; the endorsement does.
Waiver of Subrogation
An endorsement in which your insurance company gives up its right to recover a paid claim from the party named in your contract.
Primary and Noncontributory
Wording that makes your policy respond first, without asking the additional insured's own insurance to share, for claims covered under the contract.
Notice of Cancellation
In Texas, a certificate holder has a legal right to notice of cancellation when it is named in the policy or an endorsement and the policy, endorsement or state law requires the notice. A certificate cannot change those terms, so a contract that asks for 30 days notice needs an endorsement.
Texas Certificate Rules
Texas Insurance Code chapter 1811 says a certificate of insurance is not a policy and does not amend, extend or alter the coverage of the policy it lists. An insurance company or agency may not issue a certificate that changes the coverage or gives the certificate holder a contractual right. If a contract needs additional insured, waiver of subrogation or primary and noncontributory terms, the policy has to carry those endorsements; the certificate reports them.
Texas Department of Insurance rules treat standard certificate forms from ACORD, AAIS and ISO as approved once they are filed with the department, and insurance companies can file their own forms. When a request asks us to type contract language onto a certificate that the policy does not carry, we cannot do it. We can request the endorsement from the insurance company or attach a copy of the endorsement the policy already has.
Once your policy is in force, send the certificate holder's legal name and mailing address, the project or contract number if there is one, and a copy of the insurance section of the contract through our contact form or to service@timberbrookins.com. A standard certificate for current coverage is the simple part. When a contract calls for an endorsement your policy does not have, the insurance company may need to add it first, and some endorsements change your premium.
Request a Certificate for a policy you already have with us.
Common Questions
What Is a Certificate of Insurance?
A one page summary of your policies, usually on the ACORD 25 form for liability coverage, showing who is insured, the insurance companies, policy dates and limits. In Texas, a certificate is not a policy and does not change coverage.
Does Being a Certificate Holder Make You an Additional Insured?
No. A certificate holder receives the certificate. Additional insured status comes from an endorsement on the policy, and the certificate can note that the endorsement applies.
What Is a Waiver of Subrogation?
An endorsement in which your insurance company agrees not to pursue the certificate holder to recover what it paid on a claim. Many general contractor agreements and commercial leases require it on general liability, auto and workers' comp.
What Does Primary and Noncontributory Mean?
Your policy pays first for a covered claim and does not ask the additional insured's own insurance to share the loss. It is added by endorsement, and general contractors and property managers commonly require it.
How Do I Request a Certificate of Insurance From Timberbrook?
Send the certificate holder's name and address and any contract requirements through our contact form or email service@timberbrookins.com. If the contract needs an endorsement your policy does not have yet, we request it from the insurance company before we issue the certificate.
Related Coverage
Ready to Talk Coverage?
Send a request or call us to get started.