The Insurance Services Office (ISO) released new additional insured endorsements in 2004. The intent of the endorsements is to provide liability coverage for additional insureds (typically the general contractor or project owner) with respect to damages caused by the named insured (subcontractor). The endorsements do not provide coverage for the additional insured’s sole negligence, but they can provide coverage for the additional insured’s contributory negligence. Make sure that the actual additional insured endorsement satisfies contract requirements.
Understanding the terms of the contract, the extent of liability assumed in the indemnity agreement, and the insurance requirements—including the coverage provided or afforded by the additional insured endorsement—are critical to minimizing future liabilities and exposure to losses.
Keep in mind, the liability assumed in the indemnification agreement of the contract can be broader than the coverage provided under the additional insured endorsement. A comparison of the two should be done to determine what is covered by insurance and what is not.
