The short answer
Customers may request additional insured status, a waiver of subrogation, and primary and noncontributory wording. The actual endorsements—not a checkbox on a certificate—determine what is provided. Blanket forms have conditions; other requests need carrier approval. Availability, timing and cost vary, so review the requirement and policy together.
Use this guide to prepare questions, not to establish coverage. Any unsourced costs, limits or timing ranges are illustrative planning examples, not quotes, verified market averages or carrier commitments.
What each vendor onboarding endorsement does
| Endorsement | What it does | Usual ISO form |
|---|---|---|
| Additional insured | Your policy also protects the customer for claims from your work | CG 20 26; CG 20 10 (ongoing work); CG 20 37 (completed work) |
| Waiver of subrogation | Your insurer can’t sue the customer to recover a claim it paid | CG 24 04; WC 00 03 13 (workers’ comp); CA 04 44 (auto) |
| Primary and noncontributory | Your policy pays first and doesn’t ask the customer’s insurer to share | CG 20 01 |
Businessowners policies use carrier forms that do the same job; the wording matters, not the form number. Procurement wants the endorsement pages attached to the certificate. For certificate errors like a wrong legal name, see why procurement rejects general liability certificates.
Which policies accept which endorsement
| Policy | Additional insured | Waiver | Primary and noncontributory |
|---|---|---|---|
| General liability or BOP | Yes, usually blanket | Yes, usually blanket | Yes, usually blanket |
| Hired and non-owned auto | Often | Often | Sometimes |
| Workers’ comp | No | Yes; some states restrict or charge | No |
| Umbrella | Yes, if it matches the GL terms | Varies | Often |
| Tech E&O and cyber | Rarely | Sometimes | Sometimes |
Requests on Tech E&O, cyber and workers’ comp are the ones to negotiate; see how a $5M Tech E&O and cyber requirement is structured.
Blanket vs. scheduled endorsements: why wording sets the timeline
Blanket wording may extend status when its conditions are met. The covered parties, work and timing requirements depend on the actual endorsement; a signed contract alone does not settle every condition. Scheduled wording identifies a party on the policy and may require carrier approval. Verify the endorsement before issuing a certificate.
Examples that need a closer review include:
- The contract was unsigned, or silent on insurance, when the loss happened
- The form covers ongoing work only, and the contract asks for completed work (this matters if you install hardware on-site as a software company)
- The customer wants its parent and subsidiaries covered, and the form covers only the contracting entity
What affects endorsement timing and cost
| Request | What needs checking | Timing and cost |
|---|---|---|
| Blanket wording already on the policy | Whether the contract and party satisfy its conditions | Confirm with the servicing team |
| Add blanket wording mid-term | Whether the carrier will offer it for this risk | Carrier approval and any charge |
| Name a customer on the policy | Exact legal entity, work and endorsement | Carrier approval and any charge |
| Waiver on workers’ comp | State requirements and available wording | State- and carrier-specific |
| Notice of cancellation to the customer | Whether the policy can provide the requested notice | Availability and terms vary |
| Customer’s own form or nonstandard request | Whether the requested obligations are available at all | Review before promising a deadline |
When to push back on vendor insurance requirements
Some requests may not be available on the policy or may need different wording. Raise these questions with your broker and counsel rather than assume a certificate can satisfy them:
- Additional insured on Tech E&O, cyber or workers’ comp
- Waiver of subrogation on every policy
- Primary and noncontributory for all claims, not just those from your work
Your counsel can discuss a clarification or amendment with the customer when required coverage is unavailable. Acceptance is the customer’s decision. See annotated sample insurance clauses as educational examples, not ready-to-use legal clauses.
Get a contract check
Send us the insurance exhibit and the legal names you need covered. We provide an initial written review within one business day after receiving the necessary information, with questions and next steps. Carrier quotes, coverage decisions and policy changes may take longer. Get a free contract check.
A few more answers
Frequently asked questions
Does a certificate of insurance make my customer an additional insured?
No. A certificate only reports coverage and grants no rights. The endorsement does, which is why procurement asks for the endorsement page.
What's the difference between additional insured and primary and noncontributory?
Additional-insured wording can extend specified protection to another party. Primary and noncontributory wording addresses priority and contribution for coverage that applies. Both are subject to the actual endorsement and do not extend to every possible claim.
What does "where required by written contract" mean?
It is one condition that can appear in a blanket endorsement. Read the complete wording: eligible parties, activities, timing and other restrictions vary. A signed contract alone does not prove that the customer qualifies.
Can I add my customer's parent company and subsidiaries as additional insureds?
Yes, if the wording allows it. Many blanket forms cover only the party you signed with. Name the parent and subsidiaries on a scheduled endorsement, or use a blanket form that extends to affiliates.
Can I add a waiver of subrogation to workers' comp?
Yes, in most states, with form WC 00 03 13 or a state version. Many carriers charge a small premium, and a few states restrict blanket waivers.
Do I need completed operations coverage if I only sell software?
Review the actual operations, requirement and policy. Physical installation or completed work may raise different questions from software services. Ask the broker and counsel before assuming a requested endorsement is irrelevant.
General information, not a coverage determination or legal advice. Unless a specific source is identified, prices and timing ranges are illustrative planning examples—not measured market averages, quotes or guarantees. Policy wording, carrier, state and your company’s operations determine what applies.