Does adding me as an additional insured cost me anything?

No, not directly. Some contractors pass on a small premium adjustment ($25–$100); reputable ones absorb it or build it into the bid. It should never be more than a token charge.

What's the difference between 'additional insured' and 'primary and noncontributory'?

Additional insured names you on the policy. 'Primary and noncontributory' specifies that this policy pays first (before yours) and won't seek reimbursement from your policy. They're often paired in commercial construction; the combination gives you maximum protection.

Should I ask to be additional insured on my roofer's auto policy too?

Yes if their workers will be driving on or near your property regularly. It's less common for a one-week roof job, but for longer projects it's worth asking.

Is additional insured status the same as a hold harmless agreement?

Different but related. Additional insured uses the contractor's insurance to defend you. A hold harmless agreement says the contractor will indemnify you for claims arising from their work — but if they don't have insurance, the indemnity is worth only what they can pay personally. Both together is the strongest protection.

Does my homeowner's insurance still apply if I'm an additional insured on my contractor's policy?

Yes — your homeowner's policy isn't replaced. It just doesn't have to be the first line of defense for liability arising from the contractor's work. Your insurer would still cover damage to your house from a covered peril (e.g., fire, wind) regardless of who caused it.

How does Surgepoint handle additional insured status?

We don't add ourselves as additional insured (we're a routing service, not the contractor). But every roofer in our network is required to maintain CGL coverage and produces COIs on request. If you want to be named additional insured on the roofer we send, ask in your contract — it's a reasonable, normal request.

Insurance · Liability protection

What is an additional insured? (Plain English, 2026)

When you're named as an 'additional insured' on a contractor's policy, their insurance covers you for liability arising out of their work. It's one of the strongest protections a homeowner can request when hiring a roofer — and it's free to ask for. Here's exactly how it works and how to get it.

The short answer

An additional insured is a person or business named on someone else's insurance policy so the policy covers them for liability arising out of that party's work.
For homeowners hiring contractors, asking to be named additional insured on the contractor's CGL policy is a free upgrade in protection.
It's not the same as a 'certificate holder' (which just gets a copy of the COI) — additional insured status means the policy actually covers you.
Standard in commercial construction, less common but worth requesting in residential. Reputable contractors will accommodate.

How additional insured status actually protects you

Imagine a roofer's worker damages your neighbor's car parked in your driveway. The neighbor sues — but who? The roofer is the one whose worker dropped the bundle, but you're the property owner. In modern personal-injury and property-damage litigation, plaintiffs often sue everyone in the chain (the worker, the contractor, the property owner) and let the courts sort out fault.

If you're named as additional insured on the roofer's commercial general liability (CGL) policy, the roofer's insurer defends you in that lawsuit and pays any judgment against you up to the policy limits. You don't have to pay your own attorney; you don't have to use your homeowner's coverage; the roofer's insurer treats your defense as part of their obligation.

Without additional insured status, you're either defending yourself (out-of-pocket attorney fees) or relying on your homeowner's policy (which raises your premiums even if it ultimately covers you). Additional insured status moves the financial risk back where it belongs — onto the contractor's policy.

What 'additional insured' is NOT

**Not the same as a certificate holder.** A certificate holder is someone who receives a copy of the COI and is supposed to be notified if coverage is canceled. The certificate holder isn't covered by the policy — they just have a paper trail. Additional insured status is actually being on the policy.

**Not the same as 'named insured.'** The named insured is the contractor themselves. Additional insureds are extras tacked on. Both are covered, but the policy belongs to the named insured.

**Not retroactive.** You're an additional insured for incidents that happen while the endorsement is in effect. If you ask for it after a loss occurs, the carrier won't add you back-dated.

**Not unlimited.** Additional insured coverage is typically tied to the work the contractor is doing for you. If the roofer's worker steals your wallet, that's not 'arising out of their work' and additional insured status won't help.

How to actually get added as an additional insured

**Step 1: Ask in the contract.** Add language like: 'Contractor agrees to name [your name and address] as additional insured on its commercial general liability policy for the duration of work, with a certificate of insurance evidencing same provided to homeowner before work commences.' If the roofer pushes back, that's information about the roofer.

**Step 2: Receive the updated COI.** The contractor's insurance agent issues a new COI that lists you as additional insured (it'll appear in the 'Description of Operations' or 'Certificate Holder' section depending on the form). The COI should be delivered to you before the first day of work.

**Step 3: Verify the endorsement.** A COI saying 'additional insured' isn't the same as the actual endorsement on the policy. Reputable contractors include a copy of the additional-insured endorsement (often ACORD form CG 20 10 or CG 20 37) along with the COI. Ask for it.

**Step 4: Confirm with the carrier.** Same as with COI verification: call the agent listed and confirm the additional insured endorsement is in force. Five-minute call, eliminates forgery risk.

Common roofer responses (and what they mean)

**'Yes, no problem' + COI within 24 hours.** Best signal. They're set up for this; the agent has a template; it's routine.

**'Sure but it'll take a few days.'** Reasonable for very small operations whose agent isn't on-call. Not a red flag if they follow through.

**'My carrier charges extra for that.'** Sometimes true. A standard CG 20 10 endorsement can add a small premium. A reputable contractor either absorbs the cost or itemizes it transparently.

**'You don't need that for residential.'** True that it's less common in residential, but you do benefit from it. If the contractor refuses, it's worth asking whether they've had liability claims that make their insurer reluctant.

**'My policy doesn't allow it.'** Possible but unusual. Most CGL policies allow additional insured endorsements; refusal usually signals a low-end policy or a contractor whose carrier has put restrictions on after past claims.

**Stalls indefinitely or refuses outright.** Treat as a no. Move on.

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Frequently asked

Does adding me as an additional insured cost me anything?: No, not directly. Some contractors pass on a small premium adjustment ($25–$100); reputable ones absorb it or build it into the bid. It should never be more than a token charge.
What's the difference between 'additional insured' and 'primary and noncontributory'?: Additional insured names you on the policy. 'Primary and noncontributory' specifies that this policy pays first (before yours) and won't seek reimbursement from your policy. They're often paired in commercial construction; the combination gives you maximum protection.
Should I ask to be additional insured on my roofer's auto policy too?: Yes if their workers will be driving on or near your property regularly. It's less common for a one-week roof job, but for longer projects it's worth asking.
Is additional insured status the same as a hold harmless agreement?: Different but related. Additional insured uses the contractor's insurance to defend you. A hold harmless agreement says the contractor will indemnify you for claims arising from their work — but if they don't have insurance, the indemnity is worth only what they can pay personally. Both together is the strongest protection.
Does my homeowner's insurance still apply if I'm an additional insured on my contractor's policy?: Yes — your homeowner's policy isn't replaced. It just doesn't have to be the first line of defense for liability arising from the contractor's work. Your insurer would still cover damage to your house from a covered peril (e.g., fire, wind) regardless of who caused it.
How does Surgepoint handle additional insured status?: We don't add ourselves as additional insured (we're a routing service, not the contractor). But every roofer in our network is required to maintain CGL coverage and produces COIs on request. If you want to be named additional insured on the roofer we send, ask in your contract — it's a reasonable, normal request.

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