Can you find what fails?
Every round is a specimen certificate of insurance next to the project's requirements. The certificate always looks fine. Your job is to find the lines that aren't.
The worked example
Four of five lines fail. Here's what we flag, and why.
Certificate of liability insuranceSpecimen
| Coverage | Project requires | Certificate shows | Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| General liability | $1M / $2M | $1M / $2M | Meets |
| Additional insured | CG 20 10 + CG 20 37 | Box checked, no endorsement | Fails |
| Umbrella | $10M | $5M | Fails |
| Workers' comp | Statutory + waiver | Statutory, no waiver | Fails |
| Policy term | Through Aug 2027 | Expires Mar 2027 | Fails |
4 of 5 checks failThe certificate says covered. The policy doesn't.
Why they fail
- Additional insured. The box is checked, but no endorsement is attached, so there's no proof you're covered. Additional insured, explained
- Umbrella. The umbrella is $5M short of the requirement.
- Workers' comp. No waiver of subrogation on workers' comp, where injury claims land. Waiver of subrogation, explained
- Policy term. The policy expires five months before the work ends.
Round 2: the drywall contractor
Sample Drywall LLC · Sample school addition, 2027. Mark every line you think fails the project requirements.
Certificate of liability insuranceSpecimen
| Coverage | Project requires | Certificate shows | Your call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Each occurrence | $1M | $1M | |
| General aggregate | Per project (CG 25 03) | $2M, per policy | |
| Additional insureds | Owner and GC | GC only | |
| Primary and noncontributory | Required (CG 20 01) | Not shown | |
| Auto liability | $1M combined single limit | $1M combined single limit |
Answers: 3 of 5 lines fail
- General aggregate. The aggregate is shared with every other job this contractor has. Per project aggregate, explained
- Additional insureds. The owner isn't named, so the owner isn't covered. Additional insured, explained
- Primary and noncontributory. Without it, your own policy may have to share the loss. Primary and noncontributory, explained
Round 3: the roofer
Sample Roofing Inc. · Sample warehouse reroof, 2027. Mark every line you think fails the project requirements.
Certificate of liability insuranceSpecimen
| Coverage | Project requires | Certificate shows | Your call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Completed operations AI | CG 20 37, 3 years after completion | CG 20 10 only | |
| GL waiver of subrogation | CG 24 04 | CG 24 04 attached | |
| Umbrella | Follows form, includes AIs | $5M, AI status not stated | |
| Notice of cancellation | 30 days to certificate holder | Per policy provisions | |
| Workers' comp state | California | California |
Answers: 3 of 5 lines fail
- Completed operations AI. Ongoing operations only. A leak after turnover isn't covered for you. Completed operations, explained
- Umbrella. Nothing shows the umbrella covers you as an additional insured. Additional insured, explained
- Notice of cancellation. The certificate makes no promise to tell you if the policy is cancelled. Notice of cancellation, explained
Specimens. Sample data, not real contractors. General information, not legal or insurance advice. New rounds run in The COI Digest. Get it on Tuesdays.