What it means
Blanket additional insured endorsements grant status to any person or organization the named insured has agreed in a written contract to add. The insurer does not need to issue a new endorsement for each client.
ISO publishes blanket forms such as CG 20 33 and CG 20 38 for construction work, and many insurers use their own versions. Some cover ongoing operations only, and others include completed operations or add primary and noncontributory wording.
Blanket coverage only works if the contract meets the endorsement’s conditions. Common conditions include a written contract, in place before the loss, that specifically requires additional insured status.
An example
Lakeshore HVAC services rooftop units for forty commercial customers a year. Its blanket additional insured endorsement covers each customer whose service agreement requires it, so certificates can be issued without waiting for the insurer to schedule each name.
Names in this example are fictional.
See this term in your own contract.
Send a lease, subcontract or client agreement with the policies you hold. You get every insurance requirement in it, cited to the clause, set against what your policies say. Free, and back within one business day.
Get a free contract checkBlanket additional insured, answered
Is blanket additional insured better than scheduled?
It is usually more practical for businesses with many clients, because new contracts are covered automatically. It is not always broader. Blanket wording depends on contract conditions, and some forms cover less than a client expects. Compare the blanket form with each contract’s requirements, especially for completed operations and primary wording.
Can a certificate show blanket additional insured status?
Yes. Certificates often reference blanket endorsements in the description of operations, for example by stating that the holder is an additional insured where required by written contract. The wording should mirror the endorsement and must not promise more than it provides. Many clients also ask for a copy of the blanket form itself.
General information only. It is not legal or insurance advice. Only issued policy documents and endorsements describe actual coverage.