Does General Liability Cover Subcontractors?
A subcontractor is not automatically insured by your CGL policy; their own policy and an additional-insured endorsement determine protection.
Your CGL may cover your business’s liability arising from subcontracted work, but it does not automatically insure the subcontractor. A limited subcontractor exception to the damage-to-your-work exclusion is not blanket coverage for the subcontractor.
Check the contract, the subcontractor’s policy, and any additional-insured endorsement. Verify whether it covers ongoing work, completed operations, and the project at issue.
Coverage Guides Related to General Liability Insurance
Sources for General Liability Insurance Answers
- Commercial Insurance Guide. California Department of Insurance; Commercial General Liability; Commercial Automobile; Workers Compensation; Commercial Property. Accessed 2026-09-25.
- Commercial General Liability Coverage Form, CG 00 01 12 07. ISO; specimen hosted by Hiscox; Coverage A I.A pp.1–5; Coverage B I.B pp.6–7; Who Is An Insured II pp.9–10; Limits III p.10; Conditions IV pp.10–12; Definitions V pp.12–16. Accessed 2026-09-25.