Know what each document does
The contract states obligations between parties. The policy and endorsements define insurance protection. A certificate summarizes specified insurance information. These documents do not serve the same purpose. When an owner asks for additional-insured status, obtain the actual supporting wording and identify which policy is expected to respond; a general liability endorsement is not evidence of additional-insured protection under every marine coverage.
Review the requested scope
Ask which legal entities need protection, for which work, during which period and in what capacity. Ongoing work and completed operations can present different issues. Vessel owners, charterers, terminal operators and project owners may have separate interests. Review contractual conditions, limitations to liability arising from the insured’s work, notice requirements and the interaction with indemnity. Do not treat a certificate description box as an endorsement.
Make subcontractor review operational
Collect evidence before work begins and establish a renewal process for long projects. Match insured names to the contracting entities and review operations, maritime employee exposures, pollution, vessels and equipment as appropriate. Escalate missing or inconsistent endorsements. A subcontractor with a broad “marine” description may still have exclusions relevant to diving, welding, demolition or work afloat. Maintain records of what was requested, what was received and what exceptions were accepted by the responsible parties.
Questions worth asking
Does certificate-holder status make us an additional insured?
Not by itself. Additional-insured status depends on the policy and any applicable endorsement.
Can waiver of subrogation replace additional-insured protection?
No. They address different issues. Review each contractual requirement independently.