Additional Insured Forms: CG 20 10 vs CG 20 37

Introduction

Contract risk managers in Texas often stumble over a simple question: which additional insured endorsement should we ask for, CG 20 10 or CG 20 37? The answer affects whether you are protected while work is happening or after the job is finished, and the wrong choice can leave dangerous gaps. In short, CG 20 10 Texas extends coverage for ongoing operations, while CG 20 37 Texas applies to completed operations. Below I explain how each form appears on an ACORD COI additional insured line, why the endorsement not the certificate controls coverage, and what language to use in your contracts to keep projects moving without costly back-and-forth.

Why the Two Forms Matter in Texas Contracts

Commercial General Liability (CGL) policies have always allowed policyholders to add other parties as additional insureds, but ISO (Insurance Services Office) created distinct endorsements to clarify timing.

• CG 20 10 04 13 grants additional insured status only for liability caused by your work while it is in progress.
• CG 20 37 04 13 extends that protection to bodily injury or property damage occurring after the work is complete, provided the injury arises out of your work. Texas regulators treat these ISO forms as “file-and-use,” meaning carriers can adopt them immediately if they do so verbatim. According to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), any manuscript variation must be filed before it is offered in the state. Because many project owners in construction, oil and gas, or even large farm and ranch operations demand both ongoing and completed operations, contractors routinely need both endorsements or a single blanket AI endorsement that mirrors them.

Market data underscores this demand. The International Risk Management Institute (IRMI) reports that over 80 percent of construction contracts now require completed-operations coverage for at least three years after substantial completion. In Texas, where the statute of repose for construction defect claims runs for ten years, carrying only CG 20 10 can expose owners or general contractors long after the ribbon cutting.

Finally, remember that an ACORD 25 certificate of insurance is only evidence that a policy exists on the day it is issued. It cannot grant, change, or even confirm coverage; only the endorsement itself does. Courts in Texas, including the Fifth Circuit, have consistently upheld this rule.

The Two Core Endorsements and How They Show Up on a COI

CG 20 10 Texas: Ongoing Operations

When you see “CG 20 10 (04/13)” listed in the Description of Operations on a certificate, it should match an endorsement in the policy that contains ISO wording such as:

“Section II – Who Is An Insured is amended to include as an additional insured the person or organization shown in the Schedule, but only with respect to liability caused, in whole or in part, by your ongoing operations...”

Key points:

• Coverage ends when “your work” is complete.
• No products-completed operations coverage is provided.
• Often required for site owners who face slip-and-fall or third-party property damage during construction. Real-life example: A Central Texas electrical subcontractor was sued when a visitor tripped over conduit during installation. The GC’s risk manager confirmed CG 20 10 was attached, and the carrier defended both parties, avoiding a potential six-figure settlement.

CG 20 37 Texas: Completed Operations

The CG 20 37 endorsement uses identical opening language but replaces “ongoing operations” with “your work that is completed.” As a result:

• Coverage applies to damages occurring after the job is finished.
• It ties back to the Products-Completed Operations (PCO) hazard, subject to that aggregate limit.
• Many contracts require this endorsement to remain in force for two to four years beyond project close-out. Case study: A Hill Country painter finished a municipal water tower in 2020. In 2023, peeling lead paint required remediation. Because the painter’s policy included CG 20 37, the city’s remediation costs were covered minus deductible, saving the contractor relationship and roughly $180,000.

Why the Endorsement, Not the Certificate, Controls

Texas courts follow the “four corners” rule: if it’s not inside the policy’s four corners, it doesn’t exist. A certificate that lists CG 20 37 without the actual endorsement creates false confidence and potential professional liability for the issuing agent. Brock Insurance Group routinely verifies that every issued COI is backed by filed endorsements before forwarding to project owners, preventing unpleasant surprises at claim time.

Practical Guidance from the Field

Sample Contract Language

Below is wording we recommend to secure both exposures without over-promising:

“Contractor shall maintain Commercial General Liability insurance on ISO form CG 00 01, naming Owner as Additional Insured via endorsements CG 20 10 04 13 and CG 20 37 04 13, or their equivalent, providing primary and non-contributory coverage for both ongoing and completed operations for a period of not less than three (3) years after final payment.”

Where blanket AI endorsements are acceptable, use:

“Additional Insured status may be provided on a blanket basis if such endorsement affords coverage equivalent to ISO CG 20 10 and CG 20 37.”

Acceptable Alternatives

Some carriers offer:

• Blanket Additional Insured endorsement that applies to any party when required by written contract.
• CG 20 33 (scheduled person or organization) for ongoing operations coupled with CG 20 37 for completed ops.
• Manuscript Texas-filed endorsements mirroring ISO language. Always review limits: Blanket AI endorsements typically require a “written contract” in place before the loss occurs, a detail often missed in rush bidding.

Checklist to Prevent Job Delays

When you request a COI and endorsements, include the items below to avoid email ping-pong:

• Exact legal name and address of the party to be added.
• Copy of contract insurance requirements.
• Specify if both CG 20 10 Texas and CG 20 37 Texas are required or if blanket AI is acceptable.
• State any primary and non-contributory wording or waiver of subrogation needs.
• Provide project address and anticipated start and completion dates.
• Set a deadline for receipt, typically 48 hours pre-mobilization. Following this list keeps your subcontractor, their agent, and the carrier aligned, preventing equipment from sitting idle while paperwork catches up.

Where the Market Is Headed

Speaking from three decades of arranging CGL AI forms Texas wide, I see two trends taking shape:

1. Digital policy delivery means owners can demand pdf copies of endorsements before issuing payment. Agents who cannot produce them risk losing business.
2. Carriers are tightening their appetite for completed operations, especially on wrap-ups and projects involving residential construction. Expect higher minimum premiums or longer maintenance periods. Practical advice:

• Request both forms up front if the contract goes beyond interior service work. The incremental premium is minimal compared to a completed-ops claim.
• Maintain a searchable endorsement library. Brock Insurance Group clients use our online portal to pull copies 24/7, which has eliminated 90 percent of urgent COI calls.
• Revisit maintenance periods annually. If litigation risk drops after one year, you can sometimes reduce limits or delete CG 20 37 at renewal, saving real dollars without sacrificing compliance. Authoritative sources back these observations. Zurich’s 2023 Casualty Market Outlook notes a 6 to 8 percent year-over-year increase on accounts with extended completed-operations exposure nationwide, a trend mirrored in Texas due to robust construction growth around Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth.

Wrapping Up

Choosing between CG 20 10 and CG 20 37 is not a minor paperwork exercise. It dictates whether a project owner or upstream contractor has coverage while work is being performed and long after it is complete. By matching contract language to ISO endorsement wording, insisting on the actual endorsements rather than relying solely on an ACORD certificate, and following a clean request checklist, Texas businesses protect themselves from expensive uncovered claims.

Properly managed, additional insured endorsements build trust among all parties, keep projects on schedule, and preserve hard-earned reputations. The difference between a seamless job close-out and years of litigation often hinges on these few pages attached to a CGL policy.

Brock Insurance Group

Reach out to learn how we can help meet your needs. Let’s work together to achieve your goals! Whether you own a family ranch outside Abilene, manage a fleet of delivery vans in Houston, or run a growing construction firm in San Antonio, Brock Insurance Group has the carrier relationships and practical know-how to secure the right additional insured endorsement Texas contractors require. We review contracts, negotiate with underwriters, and deliver complete policy documents so you can focus on getting the job done. Call or email our team to start a no-obligation coverage review today.

Need coverage advice? Let’s talk.

Get a fast, no-pressure quote and guidance tailored to your needs.